The four restaurants up for ‘curry oscar’ in North London

All four have been revealed as finalists in the annual Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA) known as the ‘curry oscars’.

The celebration of Pan Asian cuisine will bring together some of the UK’s best chefs and restaurant owners at the London Hilton Park Lane on Monday October 6.

Pino’s Warung is a take-away hatch in Camden Market but the owner has also opened a restaurant in St James’s Market central London. (Image: Toba) The North London regional finalists are; Pino’s Warung in Camden Market; Taste of Goa in Crouch Hill; Taste of Nawab in Muswell Hill; and Ruhit’s Indian Cuisine in Sidmouth Parade, Brent.

Pino Edwards is behind the hatch in Stables Market serving tasty food from his homeland “packed with authentic Indonesian heat”.

Dishes include a 12hr cooked bone broth and meatballs; Gado Gado, an Indonesian salad that packs a punch; and smoky, nutty, spicy chicken satay cooked over a Japanese charcoal grill.

Taste of Goa in Crouch Hill serves up specialities from the Indian coastal region. (Image: Taste of Goa) Taste of Goa is a Finsbury Park take-away that prides itself on serving Indian food on the go, including all the familiar favourites from Tandoori Chicken to Lamb biriyani.

They specialise in the coastal region’s rich cuisine with its Portuguese influences, serving the likes of Peri Peri fish, Lamb Xacut, Goan fish curries, crab with coconut, raisins, spinach and cashew nuts, and prawns in hot Goan balcho spices, served in a chapatti.

Taste of Nawab is a restaurant which has given back to the community raising thousands for charities. (Image: Sameer Solomon) Taste of Nawab has been serving up great food on Colney Hatch Lane since 1996 and has given back to the community over the years, raising funds for The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, Save the Children and local schools.

Featuring Tandoori and Bengali specialities and child-friendly junior curries they write on their website: “We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to all our customers, and make it known to them that they have made us what we are today.

“We sincerely value the opinions of our customers, and can honestly say that they have contributed to the high standards we set ourselves.”

Ruhit’s in Sidmouth Parade, Brent serves traditional Indian cuisine. (Image: Ruhit’s) And Ruhit’s on Sidmouth Parade is serving up rich curries including a full lamb shank cooked with delicious spices.

Finalists have been nominated by the public based on food quality, service and value for money – then ARTA looks at Google, Tripadvisor reviews and Food Hygiene ratings before a panel of judges makes the final decision.

This year more than 1,250 businesses from across the UK were nominated in 12 categories before the finalists were whittled down.

The 2025 ceremony will invite along MPs, restaurateurs and celebrities and will be hosted by BBC journalist and broadcaster, Samantha Simmonds, and magician, Paul Martin.

Mohammed Munim, Founder Member and CEO of ARTA, said: “Asian restaurants and takeaways have long played a vital role in the UK’s economy and culture.

“Their contribution through job creation, community impact, and culinary excellence, deserves to be recognised. Especially in today’s challenging climate, ARTA is proud to champion their achievements and support their continued success. Every nominee is a testament to the industry’s resilience and we look forward to celebrating them on 6th October.”