Blackpool restaurant Zest of India honoured at Northern England Curry Awards 2026

A Blackpool restaurant has been honoured as one of the finest curry restaurants in the North at the Northern England Curry Awards 2026.

The team at Zest of India in Squires Gate Lane achieved ‘Outstanding Achievement’ in the Editor's Choice Restaurant of the Year category.

The awards are designed to recognise the very best curry restaurants, takeaways, chefs and hospitality professionals from across the North of England.

The winners were crowned at special event on September 1 at the Cedar Court Hotel, Huddersfield.

Organised by Oceanic Awards and powered by Curry CNCT, the annual event celebrates excellence across one of the UK's most popular and influential dining sectors, shining a spotlight on the businesses and individuals whose passion, dedication and commitment continue to enhance the reputation of the region's thriving curry industry.

From long-established family-run restaurants to innovative newcomers, the awards provide an important platform to recognise those delivering exceptional food, outstanding service and memorable dining experiences for customers across the North.

Curry remains one of Britain's favourite cuisines, with the UK curry industry contributing billions of pounds to the economy each year and supporting thousands of jobs nationwide.

The North of England is home to many of the country's most respected curry establishments, making the region a vital part of the industry's continued success.

Yasmin Mahmood from Oceanic Awards said: "The Northern England Curry Awards are dedicated to recognising the incredible talent, hard work and passion that exists throughout the region's curry industry. These businesses are at the heart of their communities and play a significant role in the hospitality sector.

“We congratulate all of this year's winners and finalists on their achievements. Their commitment to quality, innovation and customer service continues to raise standards across the industry, and they should be extremely proud of this recognition."

The 2026 winners of the Northern England Curry Awards 2026 are:

Restaurant of the Year – North East

Recognised for Excellence: Royal India (Richmond)

Outstanding Achievement: Kushi (Shotley Bridge)

Winner: BABAJI (Sunderland)

Restaurant of the Year – Yorkshire

Recognised for Excellence: Viraaj Restaurant (Sheffield)

Outstanding Achievement: Ruchee (Settle)

Winner: 29 States (York)

Curry Restaurant of the Year – Cumbria

Recognised for Excellence: Khans at Waterloo (Carlisle)

Outstanding Achievement: The Viceroy (Carlisle)

Winner: No.3 Curry House (Milnthorpe)

Curry Restaurant of the Year – Lancashire

Recognised for Excellence: Anarkali (Blackburn)

Outstanding Achievement: Maharani South Indian (Preston)

Winner: Thira Restaurant (Blackburn)

Curry Restaurant of the Year – Greater Manchester

Recognised for Excellence: Soho Spice (Bolton)

Outstanding Achievement: Lucknow Junction (Bolton)

Winner: Purple Pakora (Middleton)

Curry Restaurant of the Year – Cheshire

Recognised for Excellence: La Minhaz (Warrington)

Outstanding Achievement: Britannia Spice (Park Gate)

Winner: Viceroy Indian Cuisine (Macclesfield)

Curry Restaurant of the Year – Merseyside

Recognised for Excellence: Kalash (Southport)

Outstanding Achievement: Poppadom & Pints (St Helens)

Winner: Wirral Tandoori (Wirral)

North East Curry Experience of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Yuvraaj Restaurant (Sunderland)

Outstanding Achievement: Zeera Indian (South Shields)

Winner: Amaani at the Pumphouse (Durham)

Yorkshire Curry Experience of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Bombay Spice (York)

Outstanding Achievement: Westbourne Spice (Otley)

Winner: Lala’s (Huddersfield)

Cumbria Curry Experience of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: The Jumble Room (Ambleside)

Outstanding Achievement: The Dhaka Restaurant (Carleton)

Winner: Zurri Bar & Restaurant (Carlisle)

Lancashire Curry Experience of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: The Pepper Bistro (Preston)

Outstanding Achievement: Ayaan’s The Restaurant (Bolton)

Winner: Jaan’s (Bolton)

Greater Manchester Curry Experience of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Maida Grill House (Salford)

Outstanding Achievement: Bindi of Aspull (Wigan)

Winner: Spice Valley (Bolton)

Cheshire Curry Experience of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Shamoli (Knutsford)

Outstanding Achievement: Northwich Tandoori (Northwich)

Winner: AMNI (Chester)

Merseyside Curry Experience of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Kismat Balti (Wirral)

Outstanding Achievement: Zeera Tandoori (Wirral)

Winner: Balti Spice (St Helens)

Leeds Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Bengal Brasserie (Leeds)

Outstanding Achievement: Punjabi Heaven (Leeds)

Winner: Table 26 (Leeds)

Liverpool Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Akshaya (Liverpool)

Outstanding Achievement: Spice Bloom (Liverpool)

Winner: Wraps & Shakes (Liverpool)

Sheffield Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: 5Tara (Sheffield)

Outstanding Achievement: Ashoka (Sheffield)

Winner: Akbars (Sheffield)

Manchester Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Bardez (Manchester)

Outstanding Achievement: The Clay Oven (Manchester)

Winner: La Minhaz (Manchester)

Bradford Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Omars (Bradford)

Outstanding Achievement: Rajshahi (Bradford)

Winner: Akbars (Bradford)

Newcastle Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Rani Indian Restaurant (Newcastle)

Outstanding Achievement: Jaipur Exclusive (Newcastle)

Winner: Chakh Dhoom (Newcastle)

Most Loved Restaurant

Recognised for Excellence: Ruchee Restaurant (Settle)

Outstanding Achievement: Thamin (Littleborough)

Winner: Cinnamon Lounge (Wakefield)

Customer Dining Experience of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Atithi (York)

Outstanding Achievement: Indigo Indian (Bury)

Winner: Syhiba (Wakefield)

Street Food Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Delhi Chaat N Cafe (Chorlton Cum Hardy)

Outstanding Achievement: ITS THECHA (Manchester)

Winner: Rola Wala (Leeds)

Takeaway of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Desi Curry (Hull)

Outstanding Achievement: Bengal Cottage (Wakefield)

Winner: Indo Curry Takeaway (Liverpool)

Takeaway and Home Delivery of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Spice Palace (Wallsend)

Outstanding Achievement: Shapla Indian Takeaway (Chorley)

Winner: Moonlight Tandoori (Hull)

Kitchen Chefs of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Viceroy Indian Cuisine (Macclesfield)

Outstanding Achievement: The Clay Oven (Manchester)

Winner: Cinnamon Lounge (Wakefield)

Most Voted Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Holi and Bhang Restaurant (Durham)

Outstanding Achievement: Maveli (Sheffield)

Winner: Bengal Lounge (Wetherby)

Outstanding Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: The Great Kathmandu Restaurant (Manchester)

Outstanding Achievement: Aarti (Leeds)

Winner: Punjabi Heaven (Leeds)

Editor's Choice Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Nawaab (Leeds)

Outstanding Achievement: Zest Of India (Blackpool)

Winner: Nur Indian Restaurant (Doncaster)

Curry CNCT Restaurant of the Year

Recognised for Excellence: Atithi (York)

Outstanding Achievement: Potyo (Wilmslow)

Winner: Steam N' Spice (Sheffield)