Restaurants, takeaways and top chefs will be in hot competiton this summer at the 2023 edition of the English Curry Awards which has now announced its finalists - which include 38 North East favourites.
The region will be proudly represented at August's awards where the winners will be announced in a celebration of the achievements of the best of the nation's curry industry. Restaurants spanning Northumberland to County Durham are included among the newly-revealed categories which are broken down into regions.
Among them is My Delhi in Newcastle, already a multi-award-winner, which also has been included in a nationwide category which will see it compete with nine other restaurants from across the country for the title of Street Food Restaurant of the Year. The English Curry Awards, now in their 12th year, will be hosted in Birmingham on August 14.
Read more: Pine in Northumberland is 'totally buzzing' to be named one of UK's top 10 restaurants
Organisers say the finalists - who are chosen by the public - represent "the crème de la crème" of the English curry industry; each demonstrating a commitment to quality, innovation and authenticity as well as making a significant contribution to the curry scene in their respective regions.
A spokesperson said the event promises to be a memorable one that "honours the dedication and hard work of the nominees and celebrates the rich tapestry of flavours that the curry industry brings to the English culinary landscape", adding: “The awards provide a platform to applaud the exceptional efforts of those who have made significant contributions to the curry sector and continue to elevate the nation’s love for curry."
Here are the local restaurants and takeaways which have made it to the finals in the North East categories. Two venues - Sherkhan of Alnwick and Zyka Restaurant of Hexham, Northumberland, feature in both the Restaurant of the Year and Customer Experience categories while My Delhi gets a second mention in the latter category too. Zyka is also singled out as the Voters' Choice restaurant.
Finalists in the English Curry Awards 2023
Curry Restaurant of the Year
Aruuvi Restaurant & Bar (Spennymoor)
Radhuni (South Shields)
Cafe India (South Shields)
Dhamaka (Cramlington)
Soho Tavern (Sunderland)
Shikara (Whitley Bay)
Yuvraaj Restaurant (Sunderland)
Spice House (Seahouses)
Akbar The Great (Darlington)
Lal Khazana (Shilbottle)
Restaurant of the Year
Namaste Indian Restaurant (South Shields)
Delhi 6 (South Shields)
Jaipur Exclusive Indian Takeaway and Restaurant (Newcastle)
Mumbai Silk (Sunderland)
Zeera Indian Cuisine (South Shields)
Sherkhan of Alnwick
Zyka Restaurant (Hexham)
Char Mausum Indian Restaurant (Stannington)
Ashianna (Bedlington)
Maharaj’s Lounge (Blyth)
Customer Experience
Sherkhan of Alnwick (Alnwick)
Aramee (Prudhoe)
Zyka Restaurant (Hexham)
The Capital (Durham)
Shaj (Newbiggin-by-the-Sea)
Holi and Bhang Indian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar (Durham)
Le Raaj (Chester-le-Street)
The Rabbit Hole (Durham)
My Delhi Newcastle Indian Restaurant (Newcastle)
Simla Restaurant (Newcastle)
Takeaway of the Year
Balti Hut (Middlesbrough)
Ruchita Tandoori (Wallsend)
Delaval Tandoori (Whitley Bay)
Shapla Tandoori (Middlesbrough)
Bill Quay Tandoori (Gateshead)
The Jewel In The Crown (Chester-le-Street)
Morpeth Tandoori (Morpeth)
The Grand Tandoori Kitchen (Newcastle)
Nawaab (Sunderland)
Saffron (Sunderland)
Voters Choice of the Year
Zyka Restaurant (Hexham). This national category sees Zyka in competition with nine others across the country
Street Food Restaurant of the Year
My Delhi Indian Streetery. In this category the Newcastle restaurant is one of 10 finalists nationwide competing for the title.
There are several award categories while other accolades to be announced on the night will include New Restaurant of the Year; Curry King or Queen; Lifetime Achievement Award; Special Recognition Award and Critics' Choice Restaurant of the Year. For more about the event and to see the full list of finalists including other regions see here.
