For the second year in a row Nu Dehli Lounge in Belfast’s city centre has been crowned the winner at the Asian Restaurant & Takeway Awards 2023 last night (8th October).
The awards took place at London’s Hilton Park Lane and speaking straight after the glittering ceremony Nu Dehli Lounge owner Naz Din said they were honoured to be recognised once again as the best in Northern Ireland.
“We are absolutely chuffed to be walking away from the 2023 ARTA Awards with the unbelievable Restaurant Of The Year Award for a second time. It is such an honour to even be nominated for such a prestigious award. To walk away with the award two years in a row is such a testament to our team’s continued dedication to service and quality. We accept this award on behalf of our entire team and our amazing customers that keep our restaurant thriving year after year”, said Naz.
The coveted awards are in recognition of the UK’s best South Asian cuisine across a series of prestigious regional and national categories.
From the National Champion of the Champions, Regional Restaurant of the Year, National & Regional Chefs of the Year, to National Newcomer of The Year, ARTA highlights the pinnacle of over 1,190 restaurants and takeaways across the UK that were nominated by the restaurant goers and enthusiastic food lovers from all over the country.
The UK’s Curry industry contributes £4.2 billion annually, which as of 2015, has accounted for a fifth of the restaurants in the UK dating back to the 1800s. The ARTA celebrates and recognises Britain’s vibrant Asian restaurants and takeaways and offers solidarity and morale for the industry currently facing high energy costs, inflation, skilled staff shortage, and the rising price of raw materials.
Speaking about the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards 2023, Mohammed Munim, Founder Member and CEO of ARTA, said: “Asian restaurants have made a significant contribution to the UK economy, both historically and in recent times. They deserve recognition and rewards for their efforts. These restaurants have not only created thousands of jobs but have also boosted local economies through their presence, especially post-BREXIT.
To provide staunch support to the thriving Asian restaurants in Britain, ARTA acknowledges and highlights their importance in the culinary landscape”.