A tiny Indian restaurant in Staple Hill has been crowned the best in the South West at a national awards ceremony. The Arjee Bhajee on Soundwell Road, which has just 26 covers, beat three other venues in the region at the Just Eat Restaurant awards 2023.
Formerly known as the British Takeaway Awards, the ceremony returned for its seventh year hosted by ITV's The Masked Singer presenter Joel Dommett at the Londoner Hotel on Tuesday (February 21). The judges were fashion guru-turned-TV chef - Gok Wan, chef, BBC Great British Menu judge - Andi Oliver and Michelin-trained TikToker - Poppy O'Toole.
In a statement on social media, the Arjee Bhajee said: "It’s official! Last night we came away as winners of The Restaurant Awards! Winning the award took us by surprise and we were totally gobsmacked!
Read more: Best takeaways in the UK officially named at star-studded awards ceremony
"This award isn’t just for us but dedicated to each and every one of you who have been supporting us along the way. We hope to continue to grow as a business and serve you all your favourite curries!"
The curry house thanked Just Eat for the ceremony as well as the judges for choosing them as winners. The Arjee Bhajee has been no stranger to awards after winning at the Asian Curry Awards as best newcomer in the South West in November.
Owned by Mahfuzal Haque, who is from Easton, the Staple Hill restaurant beat Coriander Indian Takeaway in Bournemouth, V.Dorset in Poole and Rockabillyz in Weymouth. It was then entered into the best of Britain category but was beaten by Munchies in Yorkshire.
BristolLive awarded the restaurant five stars last year and praised its "delicate and careful spicing, which brought layers of flavour to each dish". The menu offers a huge range of authentic snacks and curries promising fresh and high quality ingredients.
You can find a full list of the winners at the Just Eat Restaurant Awards 2023 below:
Regional Awards
- Best Takeaway in Central London - Chilli Tuk Tuk
- Best Takeaway in Greater London - The Souvlaki
- Best Takeaway in South East - Cookies & Cones
- Best Takeaway in South West - The Arjee Bhajee
- Best Takeaway in East Midlands - June Plum Food
- Best Takeaway in West Midlands - Pizza Pazzo
- Best Takeaway in North East - My Delhi
- Best Takeaway in North West - Vegan Food House Ltd
- Best Takeaway in Yorkshire - Munchies
- Best Takeaway in Scotland - Chicken Union
- Best Takeaway in Wales - O My Cod Bridge End
- Best Takeaway in Northern Ireland - Pizza Guyz
- Best Takeaway in Britain - Munchies
- Outstanding Achievement Award - Chris’ Fish & Chips
Judges’ Award
- Best Newcomer - Archie’s
- Best Breakfast - LEON
- Best Lunch - Chipotle
- London’s Favourite Dish - Other Side Food
- Best Vegan - Hogless Roast - Vegan Hog Roast
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