The best curry restaurants have been revealed with spots all over the country from Michelin stars to local gems
The UK has at least 100 great curry spots(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The UK’s 100 best curry spots have been named, with a smattering of hidden gems across the country – some with Michelin stars and others having just scraped through threats of closure. From Slough, to Glasgow – the Asian Catering Federation (ACF) has revealed the 100 best restaurants across the country for 2026.
The awards highlight “the very best Asian cuisine nationwide” and help one of curry-fans find “outstanding curry houses in their local area”. These curry spots were selected by public vote and are recommended by the ACF’s expert panel, with the top 100 restaurants announced at the Asian Catering Federation Prestige Dinner and Top 100 Award Ceremony last month.
London dominated – with a total 21 locations on the list. Benares in Mayfair made it onto the list just a year after the closure of its flagship location in Hanway Place.
Benares was founded by celebrity chef Atul Kochhar, who earned the location a coveted Michelin star after starring on MasterChef and the Great British Menu.
Gymkhana holds two Michelin stars and has recently seen celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Ed Sheeran book tables there.
Full list of best curry spots in the UK:
- Benares, London
- Kasa & Kin, London
- Madhu’s @ The Grove, Watford
- Panas Gurkha by Sujan Katuwal, London
- Namaaste Kitchen, London
- Med Salleh, London
- Akbar’s, Bradford
- Akbar’s, Birmingham
- TYGA, Manchester
- Cinnamon Square, Kent
- Babaji, Sunderland
- Spice I am, Worthing
- My Delhi, Newcastle
- Delhi 6, South Shields
- Maha Bharat, Kingsbridge
- Peace Garden, Manchester
- Sushi Mami, Manchester
- iNaga, Bromley
- The Zen, Lancashire
- My Indian, Ammanford
- Charcoals, Glasgow
- Kebabish Original, Blackburn
- Lal Qila, Cramlington
- Achari, Bristol
- Laksamania, London
- Eastern Eye, Devon
- Tarana, Crawley
- The Bombay, Swanley
- Light of Bengal, Aberdeen
- Shezan Indian Cuisine, Edingburgh
- Miso Asia, Petersfield
- Radhuni, Loanhead
- Itihaas, Dalkeith
- Colonel Saab, London
- Quilon, London
- Mint Lounge, London
- Yaatra, London
- Gymkhana, London
- Hakkasan, London
- Babur, London
- Namaaste, London
- Brigadiers, London
- Lala’s Restaurant, Leeds
- Babul’s, Darlington
- International Restaurant, Bradford
- Spice Village, London
- Shozna, Rochester
- Issa Sushi, Worthing
- Aramintas, Northampton
- Paprika Club, Leamington Spa
- Namak Restaurant, London
- Tiien Thai, Bournemouth
- Royal Nawaab Pyramid, Stockport
- Al Maidah, Manchester
- 1988 Indian Restaurant, Vale of Glamorgan
- Ayaan’s, Bolton
- Bardez, Manchester
- Calcutta Club, Nottingham
- Carron to Mumbai, Stonehaven
- Chor Bazaarr, Slough
- Dawat, London
- Everest Lounge, Market Harborough
- Guru Ji, Fleet
- Himalayan, Belfast
- Kahani, London
- Kutir, London
- Lalbagh Restaurant, Cambridge
- Lemongrass by Nazir, Chichester
- Mango Lounge, Windsor
- My Lahore, Leeds
- Navadhanya, Cambridge
- Naya Restaurant, Henley-in-Arden
- Ottoman Kitchen, Southampton
- Jaipur Spice, York
- Jadugar, Altrincham
- Jalpari of Woodley, Reading
- Panda Mami, Chester
- Lazzeez, Southampton
- Purple Olive Ashton, Ashton-under-Lyne
- Purple Poppadom, Cardiff
- Ramadan, Sutton Coldfield
- Raval, Gateshed
- Royal Nawaab, London
- Ruchi Restaurant, Glossop
- Maahis, Wrexham
- Sai Surbhi, Preston
- Shampan Restaurant, Whitley Bay
- Sigiriya Grill, Knutsford
- Spice Mafia, Manchester
- Spice of India, Dufftown
- Spice Tandoori, Elgin
- The Bank, Rickmansworth
- The Chequers Indian Lounge, Ipswich
- The Chennai Lounge, Southampton
- The Don, Welwyn Garden City
- The Grand Sultan, Port Talbot
- The Indian Plaza, Audenshaw
- Vadah, Stockton-on-Tees
- Celestia, Edinburgh
- Zaika Taal, Glasgow
Yawar Khan, Chair of the Asian Catering Federation said: “This event is about celebrating excellence across the hospitality sector, putting the diverse Asian community on one platform, and recognising chefs, restaurants, and industry leaders who continue to set the benchmark for quality, innovation and consistency across the Asian food industry in the UK.
“Over the past year, the sector has continued to navigate rising costs, evolving consumer expectations, and ongoing economic pressures. Yet, despite all this, they remain resilient, continuously adapting, innovating, and finding new ways to connect with their customers.
“They are investing in their teams, embracing new ideas, and continuing to deliver exceptional dining experiences day in, day out. Congratulations to everyone who is included in this year’s Guide, you have all earnt your place through passion for our industry, and for working hard to maintain exceptional high standards – well done.”
The awards started in 2022, with each restaurant chosen by public vote and recommended by the Asian Catering Federation’s panel of curry-loving experts. Award presenters included BBC news anchor Samantha Simmonds, Sarah Olney Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Business and MP for Richmond Park, and the Malaysian High Commission.
