Every year, when we start going through the first wave of nominations for the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards, a few restaurants quietly make us smile before we’ve even picked up our forks. This year, The Paradise Balti House in Petersfield was one of those names.
As we moved from tasting sessions to chef interviews and mystery dining visits, that smile only grew. There was something unmistakably genuine about the place, the warmth of the team, the confidence of the cooking, the way guests spoke about it. By the time we completed the judging rounds, it felt like the Regional Restaurant of the Year: South Central Region award had found its rightful home.
And in a year packed with strong contenders for the best restaurant in South Central title, Paradise Balti House didn’t just stand out, it reminded us what a proper, honest, lovingly run Indian restaurant looks and feels like.
About ARTA
Why ARTA Matters in the UK Food Scene
ARTA has grown into one of the UK’s most respected names in the restaurant awards UK circuit. We built it with one aim in mind: to celebrate the chefs and teams who pour their soul into cooking, whether they’re in busy cities or tucked away in small towns.
Today, being recognised by ARTA means you’ve captured what diners love most about South Asian food, authenticity, depth, generosity and skill. That’s why restaurants across the country now see it as a trusted part of the national curry awards family.
How We Choose Winners
Our judging isn’t a tick-box exercise. It’s a mix of real dining experiences, public nominations, regional insight, chef conversations and consistency checks. A restaurant doesn’t win because of one brilliant night, it wins because it keeps showing up with quality, passion and care.
Where ARTA Sits Among Other Awards
We often get compared to the British Curry Awards or the Asian Curry Awards, and in many ways, we’re all working toward the same goal: celebrate the very best of South Asian cuisine in Britain. ARTA’s difference lies in our dedication to spotlighting talent from every corner of the country, not just the obvious big names.
A Night to Remember
This year’s ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane was one of our best yet. Samantha Simmonds and Paul Martin kept the room lively, and the entertainers brought real energy to the night. Surrounded by our sponsors, supporters and hundreds of the industry’s finest, the moment The Paradise Balti House was announced as the ARTA South Central winner will stay with us for a long time.
A Proud Win – Regional Restaurant of the Year: South Central Region
Why The Paradise Balti House Earned the Title
When our judges walked into the restaurant, they were met with the kind of welcome that immediately tells you you’re in good hands. And then came the food, rich, layered, confidently seasoned and clearly cooked by people who care about what’s on the plate.
The judges highlighted their:
- Consistent quality
- Standout flavours
- Friendly, attentive service
- Fresh ingredients and spices
- Ability to blend tradition with small, clever innovations
These are the qualities that set good curry restaurants apart from truly award-winning ones.
A Regional Win with National Significance
This recognition doesn’t just put them at the top of the best restaurant South Central list; it places them firmly in the national spotlight for future Indian food awards, curry champion awards, and even the broader best Indian restaurant awards across the UK.
The Journey Behind the Flavours
Where It All Began
Every restaurant has a story, and The Paradise Balti House has one rooted in community and long-standing passion. What started as a humble spot serving locals slowly grew into a place people travel to for a proper meal, proof that quality and heart go much further than hype.
The Chef’s Approach to Cooking
The head chef keeps things grounded. No shortcuts. No watered-down flavours. Just honest, well-made dishes cooked with the same family recipes and spice blends they’ve trusted for years.
That commitment shines through in every mouthful and aligns perfectly with the standards celebrated in South Asian restaurant awards and prestigious food awards across the country.
How They Exceed ARTA’s Expectations
From sustainability efforts to flavour integrity, the restaurant checks every box we look for:
- Authentic, slow-cooked curries
- A mix of traditional dishes and modern twists
- Better packaging and greener choices
- Staff development and long-term support
- Consistency in flavour and service
This is why they stood out, they’re not doing what’s trendy; they’re doing what’s right.
Signature Dishes and Guest Favourites
These are the dishes that impressed our judges and keep guests coming back, whether they’re after the best takeaway in the area or craving an award-winning curry experience.
Tandoori Chicken Biriani
Smoky, fragrant, beautifully balanced, a dish that comforts as much as it impresses.
Chef’s Special Murgh Masala
Rich, hearty, layered with spice and warmth; perfect with naan or saffron rice.
Lamb Mussalam
Slow-cooked until melt-in-the-mouth soft, wrapped in a deep, aromatic sauce that lingers in the best way.
These dishes tell the story of who they are as a restaurant.
The Region’s Culinary Pride and Community Impact
The Paradise Balti House is more than a restaurant to Petersfield. It’s a community hub.
- They provide long-term jobs and training to local residents.
- They regularly support charity events and local causes.
- They help showcase South Central’s food scene within the wider UK food awards community.
Their win lifts not just the restaurant but the whole region.
Media Recognition and Third-Party Validation
Their win didn’t go unnoticed. National media outlets featured the restaurant alongside other regional champions. One highlight:
“Winners of Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards 2025 announced”
Coverage like this strengthens their place among the UK’s rising culinary stars.
ARTA’s Role in Championing Asian Cuisine in the UK
Food has always been one of Britain’s strongest cultural bridges. ARTA celebrates the people who make that possible, the chefs, the kitchen teams, the family-run restaurants and the new talents pushing boundaries.
By recognising restaurants like The Paradise Balti House, we help:
- Build community pride
- Encourage culinary innovation
- Celebrate the diversity of Asian cuisine
- Support the hospitality industry nationwide
Awards matter, but the people behind the food matter more. That’s what ARTA stands for.
FAQs
- Why did The Paradise Balti House win the South Central award?
Because of their consistent flavours, warm service and strong community presence. - Are ARTA awards part of the national curry awards scene?
Yes, ARTA is widely respected and sits alongside other major restaurant awards UK. - What dishes should I try there?
Their Tandoori Chicken Biriani, Chef’s Special Murgh Masala and Lamb Mussalam are outstanding. - How does ARTA choose its winners?
Through public feedback, chef interviews and strict standards around cooking quality. - Where can I read about the other 2025 winners?
You can see the list in national media coverage of the Winners of the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards 2025.
