Hertfordshire has a broad takeaway scene, with Indian and Asian food businesses serving communities across St Albans, Hatfield, Radlett, Hitchin, Borehamwood and Welwyn Garden City.
For ARTA 2026, ten Hertfordshire takeaways have reached the Regional Takeaway of the Year shortlist. Their selection gives local customers an opportunity to follow businesses representing their communities as the competition moves towards the Grand Finale.
If you are searching for the best Indian takeaways in Hertfordshire, this year’s ARTA shortlist offers a useful starting point. The ten finalists represent different towns across the county, giving you a chance to learn more about the businesses taking part in the regional awards.
What Is ARTA’s Regional Takeaway of the Year Award?
The Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards (ARTA) recognise restaurants, takeaways, chefs and hospitality businesses across the UK. Customer participation sits at the heart of the awards, with the public nominating and voting for their favourite local businesses.
The Regional Takeaway of the Year category gives takeaway businesses an opportunity to gain recognition within their region. For 2026, ARTA has shortlisted ten businesses in each regional category before the finalists progress through the next stages of the competition.
For Hertfordshire, that means ten takeaways have reached the regional Top 10 and are now competing for the county’s title.
The Hertfordshire Shortlist at a Glance
The ten takeaways shortlisted for the ARTA 2026 Hertfordshire Takeaway of the Year award are:
- 71 St Albans, St Albans
- Aroma, Radlett
- Bengal Spices, Hatfield
- Chef Express, St Albans
- ChilliGo, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross
- City Spice, St Albans
- Methi, Hitchin
- Saffron, Borehamwood
- The Village Spice, Park Street, St Albans
- Tikka Masala, Welwyn Garden City
These locations are listed in ARTA 2026 regional shortlist coverage, which confirms the ten businesses in the Hertfordshire category.
The geographical spread is notable. St Albans accounts for several finalists, while other businesses represent communities including Radlett, Hatfield, Cheshunt, Hitchin, Borehamwood and Welwyn Garden City.
Meet the 10 Hertfordshire Finalists
Reaching the regional Top 10 is a significant stage in the ARTA process. Each finalist now has the opportunity to compete for regional recognition and represent Hertfordshire at the final awards event.
1. 71 St Albans
Based in St Albans, 71 St Albans is one of ten Hertfordshire takeaways shortlisted for ARTA 2026.
Its inclusion gives St Albans another representative in this year’s regional competition. The business now progresses alongside the other finalists towards the final stages of the awards.
2. Aroma
Aroma represents Radlett in the Hertfordshire Regional Takeaway of the Year category.
Its place on the Top 10 shortlist means the business is among the Hertfordshire takeaways selected to progress through the 2026 ARTA process.
3. Bengal Spices
Bengal Spices, based in Hatfield, is another Hertfordshire finalist.
Its inclusion brings Hatfield into this year’s regional competition and adds another local takeaway to the group competing for the Hertfordshire title.
4. Chef Express
Chef Express is based in St Albans and has secured a place among the ten Hertfordshire finalists.
The business joins several other St Albans representatives in the regional shortlist, giving the city a strong presence in the 2026 competition.
5. ChilliGo
ChilliGo represents Cheshunt in the Hertfordshire shortlist and is listed in the ARTA regional category as being in Cheshunt, Waltham Cross.
Its selection places the business among the ten takeaways progressing through the Hertfordshire competition.
6. City Spice
City Spice, based in St Albans, is another takeaway included in the Hertfordshire Top 10.
The business now moves forward with the other finalists as the regional competition approaches its final stage.
7. Methi
Methi represents Hitchin in the ARTA 2026 Hertfordshire shortlist.
Its inclusion gives Hitchin a finalist in this year’s Regional Takeaway of the Year category and adds another part of Hertfordshire to the competition.
8. Saffron
Saffron is based in Borehamwood and has been shortlisted among Hertfordshire’s ten finalists.
The business now competes alongside the other regional finalists for the Hertfordshire Takeaway of the Year title.
9. The Village Spice
The Village Spice represents Park Street, St Albans, in this year’s Hertfordshire shortlist.
Its place among the ten finalists adds another St Albans area business to the regional competition and gives local customers another finalist to follow.
10. Tikka Masala
Tikka Masala represents Welwyn Garden City and completes the ten Hertfordshire finalists for ARTA 2026.
The business now progresses with the other shortlisted takeaways towards the regional judging stages and the Grand Finale.
How Was the Hertfordshire Shortlist Judged?
ARTA uses several measures to assess participating businesses rather than relying on a single customer rating.
The first phase includes a Customer Nomination Score, which accounts for 30% of the overall score. This covers the quality of food, quality of service and value for money.
A further 30% comes from the ARTA Score, which considers TripAdvisor reviews, Google Reviews and Food Hygiene Ratings.
The remaining 40% comes from the Regional Cook-Off Score. At the regional event, judges assess a served meal based on flavour, appearance, texture, aroma and hygiene.
This structure gives customer experience, public reputation and the food presented to judges a defined role in the overall assessment.
For someone comparing the best Indian takeaways in Hertfordshire, the shortlist therefore provides more context than a simple popularity list.
Why the Hertfordshire Shortlist Matters to Local Customers
A local takeaway often becomes part of the routine of a community. It might provide a Friday night meal, food for a family gathering or a convenient dinner after a busy day.
ARTA gives customers a way to recognise the businesses they value. The Hertfordshire shortlist brings ten local takeaways into one regional competition, allowing diners to follow their progress and learn more about the businesses serving their area.
The list also reflects the geographical range of Hertfordshire’s takeaway sector. From St Albans and Park Street to Hatfield, Hitchin, Radlett and Welwyn Garden City, this year’s finalists represent several local communities.
The complete list of regional finalists was published by Samaj Weekly as part of its coverage of the ARTA 2026 Top 10 shortlists across the UK.
When and Where Will the Hertfordshire Winner Be Announced?
The ARTA 2026 Hertfordshire Takeaway of the Year winner will be announced at the ARTA Grand Finale and Gala Evening.
Date: Monday, 12 October 2026
Venue: London Hilton on Park Lane, London
ARTA confirms that the regional winners will be announced at the Grand Finale, alongside the wider awards programme. The event will bring together finalists, restaurant and takeaway owners, chefs, hospitality professionals and industry guests from across the UK.
For the ten Hertfordshire finalists, the October event will mark the final stage of their 2026 awards journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which takeaways are shortlisted for ARTA 2026 in Hertfordshire?
The Hertfordshire Top 10 includes 71 St Albans, Aroma, Bengal Spices, Chef Express, ChilliGo, City Spice, Methi, Saffron, The Village Spice and Tikka Masala.
What is the ARTA Hertfordshire Takeaway of the Year award?
It is the Hertfordshire regional category within the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards, recognising takeaway businesses that progress through the ARTA assessment process.
How are Hertfordshire takeaways judged for ARTA?
The assessment combines customer nomination scores, reviews, Food Hygiene Ratings and a regional cook-off. The cook-off assesses flavour, appearance, texture, aroma and hygiene.
When will the Hertfordshire ARTA winner be announced?
The Hertfordshire Regional Takeaway of the Year winner will be announced at the ARTA Grand Finale on 12 October 2026 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Can I nominate a Hertfordshire takeaway for ARTA 2027?
The 2026 nomination period has closed. Customers can follow ARTA’s official announcements for information about the next nomination period.
What areas are represented in the Hertfordshire shortlist?
The finalists represent St Albans, Radlett, Hatfield, Cheshunt, Hitchin, Borehamwood and Welwyn Garden City, according to published ARTA 2026 shortlist information.
Hertfordshire Takeaways Take Their Place at ARTA 2026
The Hertfordshire Top 10 brings together ten takeaway businesses from across the county, each reaching the regional stage of ARTA 2026.
For customers searching for the best Indian takeaways in Hertfordshire, the shortlist offers a useful group of local businesses to research, follow and support.
The competition now moves towards its final stage. On 12 October 2026, the ten Hertfordshire finalists will be represented at the ARTA Grand Finale at the London Hilton on Park Lane, where the regional winners will be announced.
For these ten businesses, the shortlist is already a recognition of their place within Hertfordshire’s takeaway community. The next question is which business will take the regional title on the night.
