Scotland's ‘best curry houses' revealed as 16 named in UK's top 100

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

SPICE OF LIFE Scotland's 'best curry houses' revealed as 16 named in UK's top 100
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A TOTAL of 16 curry houses in Scotland have been named among the UK's best.
The Asian Catering Federation revealed its Top 100 Curry Restaurants Guide - which celebrates the very best cuisine on offer across the UK.
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The best curry houses in the UK have been named in a top 100 list
Credit: Getty
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It includes the best Indian, Thai, Japanese and Chinese cuisine
Credit: Getty
The list was released at the launch of the Official Curry Awards at the House of Lords.
Its ranking is based on public votes and recommendations from a panel of expert judges.
Curry has long been an integral part of the UK dining scene, with nearly 10,000 restaurants in the UK.
There is at least one curry house to be found on every high street.
The Guide celebrates the best Asian cuisine across the UK - with 16 Scottish restaurants making the top 100.
Here are the best curry houses in Scotland, according to Asian Catering Federation.
Dishoom - Edinburgh
This beloved Indian restaurant located in St Andrews Square in Edinburgh is loved by celebrities.
Dishoom serves up Bombay comfort food including house black daal, tandoori chat, spicy lamb chops and mattar paneer.
The much-loved chain already has locations in London, Birmingham, and Manchester - with another Scottish branch opening in Glasgow soon.
Famous visitors include Harry Styles, Pippa Middleton, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
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Dishoom is a beloved restaurant in Scotland's capital city
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Ignite - Edinburgh
Ignite is an award-winning Bengali and North Indian restaurant located in Haymarket in the captial.
It opened in 2002, an offers foodies a unique fusion of contemporary and classic Bangladeshi and North Indian cuisine.
The restaurant is also known for its signature dishes including their famous fruity chicken tikka massallam and secret recipe lamb pasanda laced with Tia Maria.
It is another venue popular with celebs, and is one of Edinburgh's most talked about Indian restaurants.
Cilantro - Edinburgh
This "hidden gem" offers a cosy, intimate atmosphere perfect for date nights and casual dining.
The restaurant, on Leith Walk, serves up authentic Indian cuisine, with customers consistently praising the piping hot food, neat presentation, and welcoming atmosphere.
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Cilantro has been branded a "hidden gem" in Edinburgh
Mother India Cafe - Glasgow
Mother India has been branded "one of the curry capitals of the British Isles".
The restaurant opened back in 1996 in Westminster Terrace in Glasgow's West End.
It's popular with with regulars and visiting celebrities, delivering authentic Indian home cooking across multiple award-winning venues.
Dhoom - Dunfermline
Dhoom has become a staple of Dunfermline's dining scene since opening in 2018.
The restaurant offers an immersive experience that captures the energy of bustling Indian markets, sizzling tandoors, and the rich heritage of Punjab
Desi Dhaba Chaiwala - Glasgow
This restaurant in Pollokshields specialises in traditional Indian cuisine and drinks.
Their menu serves up traditional Indian street food and snacks.
Charcoals - Glasgow
At Charcoals, customers are treated like family rather than just diners.
The Trongate restaurant has a welcoming environment that infuses traditional Indian cuisine with the warm feeling of being welcomed home by family.
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Charcoals in Trongate has a welcoming environment
Tabla - Perth
The authentic Indian restaurant on South Street was founded in 2009 by Swarna and Praveen Kumar.
They offer a traditional dining experience using ingredients and spices imported from their farm in Southern India.
The menu offers up starters, tandoori dishes, main courses, biryanis, vegetarian options.
Spice Tandoori - Elgin
Spice Tandoori is located in a beautifully converted church building on Moss Street.
This means foodies will have distinctive dining atmosphere with lowered ceilings and charming surroundings.
The restaurant has been praised by customers for its exceptional food and courteous staff.
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Spice Tandoori is based in a converted church which gives diners a unique dining experience
Credit: Google
Light of Bengal - Aberdeen
The Rose Street venue is Aberdeen's top Indian restaurant.
It offers customers quick dinners, romantic dining and home delivery services.
Regular customers praise the "excellent restaurant" for "serving high quality food at very reasonable prices".
The Granite City venue was crowned Asian Restaurant of the Year for Scotland last year.
Bo'ness Spice - Falkirk
Bo'ness Spice serves up authentic regional cuisine from across India's diverse territories.
Their menu features popular classics and innovative dishes - offering both dining-in and takeaway services.
Sapporo Teppanyaki - Glasgow
The Ingram Street venue is a restaurant, sushi bar, and cocktail lounge specialising in authentic Japanese cuisine with a western twist.
Foodies can enjoy dishes including Katsu chicken curry with miso soup, pickles, and California rolls.
The restaurant prides itself on quality ingredients, exceptional service, and their distinctive interactive cooking style which keeps diners coming back.
Pomelo - Edinburgh
This modern Chinese restaurant offers seasonal and experimental cuisine in an intimate setting on Sciennes Road.
The menu changes daily based on seasonal ingredients, allowing chefs to experiment and have fun with their cooking.
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Pomelo in Edinburgh is a modern Chinese restaurant
Credit: ANDREW MCCALL
Thairiffic Restaurant - Glasgow
Thairiffic is based on Sauchiehall Street and serves up traditional Thai cuisine in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.
They offer customers traditional specialities like Kapao, Crispy Sea Bass with Mango Salad, and Pad Cha.
Panache - Elgin
Another Elgin establishment has made the list, with this award-winning restaurant specialising in authentic, mouth-watering Indian food.
Panache first opened its doors back in 2017 and is no stranger to awards picking up a prestigious gong at the Asian Curry Awards in 2023.
The team pride themselves on putting a spin on the traditional staples of Indian food.
Spice of India - Dufftown
This award-winning restaurant features a team of skilled chefs use the finest and freshest ingredients.
The Moray venue was also named the best curry house back in 2023 at the Curry Oscars.
Anisa Khan, entrepreneur, owner of Bombay Pizza, and runner-up in this year's BBC Apprentice final, presented the awards at the House of Lords event.
She said: "It's an honour to pull together this guide each year.
"All the judges work extremely hard to make sure we don't miss any firm favourites and we travel all over the country to ensure that everyone included, is well worthy of their place."
Chairman of the Asian Catering Federation Yawar Khan, said: "The Asian food industry strives to create the very best experience for its customers, and everyone listed in this guide is there because they have worked tirelessly to earn their place.
"Year-on-year the Asian catering industry is challenged by global shortages, online delivery platforms charging exorbitant fees, and now, the new immigration rules that will make it extremely difficult for new overseas applicants to obtain a skilled worker visa in the UK.
"However, despite all this, we still continue to thrive, innovate, and dedicate all our energy to creating the very best cuisine. Congratulations to everyone who is included this year in our Guide."