Every year at ARTA, the hall is filled with chefs, owners, and teams who’ve put their whole lives into their restaurants. You can taste their stories in every dish. But sometimes, a place comes along that genuinely surprises
you, in the best way. This year, that was The Bombay in Orpington.
When we handed them the title for Regional Restaurant of the Year: Kent Region, the reaction in the room said everything. You could feel the respect. A proper cheer, not the polite applause that award shows sometimes get.
About ARTA
ARTA’s Role in the Industry
People sometimes forget that ARTA started with a simple idea: recognise the chefs and restaurants that keep Asian cuisine alive in Britain. Not just the glossy ones, not just the famous ones, but the ones that cook with real heart. Over time, it’s grown into one of the most respected restaurant awards the UK offers, and I say that with pride.
We’re often compared with the British Curry Awards or Asian Curry Awards, but each event has its own identity. Ours is grounded in celebrating hard graft, genuine skill, and consistency, the kind of traits you see in authentic award-winning curry restaurants.
How We Choose the Winners
Our judging isn’t complicated, but it’s thorough. We go through:
– food quality
– technique
– cleanliness
– service
– atmosphere
– community involvement
– consistency
The Event Night
The 2025 ceremony at the London Hilton, Park Lane, felt like a reunion of the entire industry. Samantha Simmonds and Paul Martin kept the energy warm and lively, and the entertainment made the night feel like a proper celebration, not just a list of awards. Our sponsors and partners, as always, helped shape the evening into something meaningful.
A Proud Win – Regional Restaurant of the Year: Kent Region
Why The Bombay Stood Out
The judges loved The Bombay’s balance: strong flavours, well-rounded dishes, great service, and a team that genuinely cares. Nothing felt forced. Nothing felt over-styled. Just confident, honest cooking.
And that’s why this win matters. If you ask locals about the best restaurant in Kent, their name comes up often. The same goes for people in Orpington looking for a proper sit-down meal; many will tell you it’s Orpington’s best restaurant for classic Indian dishes done properly.
Recognition Beyond Kent
It wasn’t just a regional-level performance either. Their score sheets sat alongside those of restaurants competing for bigger national titles, curry champion awards, best Indian restaurant awards, national curry awards, and more. These folks could easily stand shoulder to shoulder with the top Indian restaurants in the country.
The Journey Behind the Flavours
Where It All Began
The team told us about the early days, a small family restaurant, a tight kitchen, and a dream to serve good food that reminded them of home. No shortcuts. No watered-down recipes. Just commitment to doing things properly. And that honesty is still there today.
The Chef’s Approach
Their head chef cooks with genuine calm confidence, no showing off, no gimmicks. He focuses on fresh flavours, solid marination, and getting the little things right. His approach would fit neatly into any list of the top Indian restaurants in the UK, because it’s built on tradition first, flair second.
Why Awards Like ARTA Value This
What we look for at ARTA, quality, identity, sustainability, consistent cooking, The Bombay ticks the lot. They’ve evolved with time without losing the soul of the food. That balance is rare.
Signature Dishes and Guest Favourites
The Bombay has a menu full of crowd-pleasers, but a few dishes always come up during judging and guest feedback:
Salmon Tikka
Soft, smoky and slightly charred. It has that “I’ll just have one more bite” energy.
Tandoori King Prawn Masala
A bold dish with deep layers. Big prawns, rich sauce, the kind of plate you scrape clean.
Garlic Chicken Tikka
A comfort dish that the area genuinely loves. Creamy, fragrant and perfect with warm naan.
These dishes show exactly why they rank among award-winning curry restaurants and remain one of the top choices for anyone hunting for the best takeaway or a top sit-down Indian meal in Orpington.
The Region’s Culinary Pride and Community Impact
One thing we admire about The Bombay is how rooted they are in their community. They provide local jobs, support fundraisers, help with events and genuinely try to give back. You can’t fake that kind of presence.
That’s why you see them mentioned in conversations around wider UK food awards and South Asian restaurant awards; they lift the area up, not just their own business.
Media Recognition and Third-Party Validation
When The Bombay was named as restaurant of the year for the Kent region, their win didn’t stay local. It reached national media and gave them the recognition they’ve long deserved.
ARTA’s Role in Championing Asian Cuisine in the UK
Asian cuisine has shaped British food culture for decades. ARTA’s job is to honour the people behind it, the chefs keeping traditions alive, the owners working late nights, the teams building warm spaces for families and food-lovers.
ARTA is a celebration of multicultural Britain and a reminder that these restaurants aren’t just places to eat; they’re part of our community fabric.
FAQs
- Why did The Bombay win the Kent Region award?
Their flavours, consistency and community impact stood out strongly across all judging categories. - Is The Bombay considered the best Indian restaurant in Orpington?
Many locals see it as the top choice for both dine-in and takeaway. - Does The Bombay offer takeaway options?
Yes, and it’s frequently ranked among the best takeaway spots in the area. - What makes ARTA different from other curry awards?
ARTA focuses on authenticity, craft and community impact in addition to food quality. - Can any restaurant enter ARTA?
Yes, restaurants can register, after which they go through the full judging and secret dining process.
