ORGANISED by the Asian Catering Federation, the 10th International Asian Restaurant Awards will return to Manchester on Monday, September 7, 2026, with nearly 160 restaurants, groups and takeaways shortlisted for an award.
The 9 Asian restaurants and takeaways from Wales shortlisted are:
- Ijazz, and Maahis, – Wrexham
- Benllech Tandoori Restaurant, – Benllech, Brynteg
- Sopna Tandoori, and SeaView Indian Restaurant – Caernarfon
- Empire Indian Restaurant, and Purple Poppadom – Cardiff
- 1988 Indian Restaurant – Sully, Penarth
- Rasoi Waterfront – Swansea
The winners will be announced at a glittering award ceremony at The Manchester Deansgate Hotel hosted by broadcast journalist and BBC TV News anchor Samantha Simmonds, and Anisa Khan, owner of Bombay Pizza and last year’s finalist in the BBC’s flagship programme The Apprentice.
The awards recognise outstanding culinary excellence, innovation, endeavour, and sumptuous creativity, and are one of the most sought after awards in the hospitality industry.
The shortlist, which covers the entire range of Asian cuisines including: Bangladeshi, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Nepalese, Korean, Malaysian, Pan-Asian, Indonesian, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese and Middle-Eastern cuisine) is compiled by popular vote, with the final winners chosen by the Federation’s esteemed panel of judges.
The most prominent awards include Business Person of the Year, the National Award for Asian Restaurant of the Year in England and in Wales, Restaurant Group of the Year, King of Curry, National Buffet Restaurant of the Year and Best Regional Newcomer.
Also among this year’s nominations are: 5 city centre restaurants in Birmingham, 5 in Cambridge, 13 from host city of Manchester plus 17 from Greater Manchester, 4 from Sunderland, 8 from Northern Ireland, single entries from Dubai, Gibraltar, Istanbul, Madrid, and Edinburgh; 4 from Preston and 10 from London including Colonel Saab in Holborn, Benares and Madhu’s in Mayfair, Kahani in Sloane Square, and Darjeeling Express in Soho – renowned for its all-female kitchen team.
Chair of the Asian Catering Federation, Yawar Khan said: “I am delighted to announce this year’s shortlist at a time when we welcome ANDY BURNHAM to No.10.
“Manchester is a city that welcomes international cuisine and is host to some of the very best Asian restaurants and takeaways in the UK.
“As Mayor of Manchester, Mr Burnham helped our industry thrive in his city, and the 30 plus businesses nominated from Manchester and Greater Manchester this year, are testament to this.
“We hope small businesses will continue to see his support and the need for cuts to business rates, food prices, and changes to the ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) rules which are crippling our workforce, will be a priority for this new Government.”
Click here to view full list of restaurants and takeaways included in this year’s shortlist.
The Asian Catering Federation’s esteemed panel of judges, who decide the winners are:
- Chef Tony Khan
- Chef Binod Baral, Global Goodwill Ambassador for the Gurkha Centre charity and Brand Ambassador of Gurkha Beer
- Thomas Chan, Chairman of the Chinese Catering Association
- Rajesh Suri, Restaurateur and Food and Beverage professional
- Shahagir Bakth Faruk, Restaurateur
- Chef Ken Wang, Chinese cuisine master
- Teddy KC Chen, Serial entrepreneur and restaurateur
