Kent has a strong reputation for its diverse restaurant scene, with Indian restaurants, takeaways and Asian dining businesses serving communities across the county. For ARTA 2026, ten Kent businesses have been shortlisted for the Regional Restaurant of the Year award.
The Kent shortlist brings together restaurants from areas including Maidstone, Gravesend, Chatham, Canterbury, Bromley and other parts of the county. Each finalist has progressed through the ARTA nomination process and now has the opportunity to compete for regional recognition at the 2026 awards.
For diners searching for the best Indian restaurants in Kent, the shortlist provides an opportunity to learn about some of the restaurants representing the county in one of the UK’s recognised Asian restaurant awards.
What Is ARTA’s Regional Restaurant of the Year Award?
The Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards, commonly known as ARTA, recognises restaurants, takeaways and hospitality professionals across the UK. The awards celebrate businesses that have built strong relationships with their customers and communities.
The Regional Restaurant of the Year category gives restaurants across different parts of the UK an opportunity to receive recognition within their local area.
ARTA’s process begins with customer nominations, allowing diners to support their favourite restaurants and takeaways. Shortlisted businesses then progress through further assessment stages, including customer scoring, online reputation checks and regional judging.
The awards consider several areas that influence a restaurant’s overall performance, including food quality, customer experience, value for money, online reviews and Food Hygiene Ratings.
For the Kent finalists, reaching the Top 10 represents recognition from both customers and the wider hospitality community.
The Kent Shortlist at a Glance
The ten finalists competing for the ARTA 2026 Kent Restaurant of the Year title are:
- Cinnamon Spice
- Durbar Spice
- Indian Valley Restaurant and Takeaway
- Izmir Restaurant
- Mughal Dynasty
- Rai Woburn
- Spice Lounge
- Spice Village Indian Restaurant and Takeaway
- The Bombay Restaurant
- Turmeric Twist
The complete Kent shortlist was published as part of the ARTA 2026 regional Top 10 announcement by Samaj Weekly, which covered finalists from across the UK.
The finalists represent different parts of Kent and showcase the variety of Asian restaurants available across the county.
Meet the 10 Kent Finalists
The ARTA regional shortlist recognises restaurants that have reached an important stage in the competition. Each finalist now progresses towards the final stages of the awards process.
1. Cinnamon Spice
Cinnamon Spice is one of the restaurants representing Kent in the ARTA 2026 Regional Restaurant of the Year category.
Its inclusion places it among the ten shortlisted businesses competing for regional recognition, alongside restaurants from across Kent.
The restaurant now joins the wider group of finalists preparing for the next stage of the competition.
2. Durbar Spice
Durbar Spice has secured a place on the Kent shortlist for ARTA 2026.
The restaurant is part of a regional group that reflects the variety of Indian and Asian restaurants operating across the county.
Its nomination highlights the role of local restaurants in serving their communities and building connections with diners.
3. Indian Valley Restaurant and Takeaway
Indian Valley Restaurant and Takeaway is among the ten Kent businesses shortlisted for the Regional Restaurant of the Year award.
Combining restaurant and takeaway services, the business represents the different ways customers enjoy Indian cuisine across the UK.
Its place in the ARTA shortlist gives the restaurant an opportunity to gain recognition alongside other Kent finalists.
4. Izmir Restaurant
Izmir Restaurant has been selected as one of Kent’s ARTA 2026 finalists.
The restaurant joins a diverse shortlist featuring businesses from different locations and representing a range of Asian dining experiences.
Its inclusion reflects the strength of Kent’s restaurant community within this year’s awards.
5. Mughal Dynasty
Mughal Dynasty is included among the Kent restaurants shortlisted for ARTA 2026.
The restaurant’s place in the Top 10 gives it the opportunity to compete for the regional title at the upcoming awards stages.
As part of the Kent shortlist, Mughal Dynasty represents one of the businesses recognised through the ARTA nomination process.
6. Rai Woburn
Rai Woburn is among the Kent restaurants shortlisted for the ARTA 2026 Regional Restaurant of the Year award.
Its inclusion adds another recognised name to this year’s Kent shortlist, with the restaurant joining nine other finalists competing for regional recognition.
The shortlist highlights businesses from different parts of Kent, reflecting the range of Asian restaurants and takeaways serving local communities.
7. Spice Lounge
Spice Lounge has secured its place among the ten Kent finalists for ARTA 2026.
The restaurant will now progress through the regional stage of the competition alongside other shortlisted businesses from across the county.
Its nomination places it among the restaurants being considered for the ARTA 2026 Kent Restaurant of the Year title.
8. Spice Village Indian Restaurant and Takeaway
Spice Village Indian Restaurant and Takeaway is another Kent business included in the ARTA 2026 shortlist.
The restaurant represents the combination of dining and takeaway services that form an important part of the UK’s Indian food sector.
Its place among the finalists gives customers another local restaurant to follow during this year’s awards journey.
9. The Bombay Restaurant
The Bombay Restaurant is included in the Kent Top 10 shortlist for ARTA 2026.
As one of the finalists competing in the Regional Restaurant of the Year category, the restaurant has reached an important stage of the competition.
Its selection highlights another example of the variety of Indian restaurants represented across Kent.
10. Turmeric Twist
Turmeric Twist completes the list of ten Kent finalists competing for ARTA 2026 recognition.
The restaurant joins the other shortlisted businesses as the competition moves towards the regional judging stage and final awards ceremony.
Its inclusion adds another restaurant to Kent’s representation at one of the UK’s major Asian restaurant awards.
How Was the Kent Shortlist Judged?
The ARTA judging process combines customer participation with additional assessment stages to recognise restaurants that demonstrate strong performance across different areas.
The process begins with customer nominations, allowing diners to put forward restaurants and takeaways they value. This gives local communities an opportunity to support the businesses they regularly visit.
The shortlisted restaurants are then assessed using several factors, including:
- Customer nomination scores
- Food quality
- Service quality
- Value for money
- Google Reviews
- TripAdvisor reviews
- Food Hygiene Ratings
The regional assessment process also includes a cook-off stage, where finalists present their food for judging. Judges consider areas such as flavour, appearance, texture, aroma and hygiene.
This approach means the ARTA shortlist is based on a combination of customer feedback, online reputation and professional assessment.
For customers searching for the best Indian restaurants in Kent, the shortlist provides a useful reference point when comparing local restaurants and takeaway options.
Why the Kent Shortlist Matters for Local Diners
Restaurant awards provide another way for customers to recognise businesses that have built strong relationships within their communities.
The ARTA Kent shortlist brings together restaurants from different areas, giving diners an opportunity to learn about businesses representing their region.
Whether you are searching for an Indian restaurant for a family meal, a takeaway for a weekend dinner or a new place to try, the shortlisted restaurants offer a selection of businesses that have gained recognition through the ARTA process.
The list also highlights the variety of Asian cuisine available across Kent, from traditional Indian restaurants to businesses offering wider Asian dining experiences.
When and Where Will the Kent Winner Be Announced?
The winner of the ARTA 2026 Kent Restaurant of the Year award will be announced at the ARTA 2026 Grand Finale and Gala Evening.
Date: Monday, 12 October 2026
Venue: London Hilton on Park Lane, London
The Grand Finale will bring together shortlisted restaurants, chefs, hospitality professionals and industry representatives from across the UK.
The evening will reveal the regional winners, including the Kent Restaurant of the Year, as well as the wider ARTA award winners.
For the ten Kent finalists, the event represents the final stage of their journey after progressing through nominations, reviews and regional assessment.
Vote or Nominate Your Own Kent Favourite for ARTA 2027
The ARTA awards rely on customer participation to recognise restaurants that make a difference in their communities.
If you have a favourite restaurant or takeaway in Kent, you can follow ARTA announcements for information about the next nomination period.
Customers can nominate businesses they believe deserve recognition for their food, service, and overall dining experience.
Awards like ARTA give local restaurants a chance to gain recognition while helping customers find restaurants valued in their communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which restaurants are shortlisted for ARTA 2026 in Kent?
The Kent Top 10 includes Cinnamon Spice, Durbar Spice, Indian Valley Restaurant and Takeaway, Izmir Restaurant, Mughal Dynasty, Rai Woburn, Spice Lounge, Spice Village Indian Restaurant and Takeaway, The Bombay Restaurant and Turmeric Twist.
What is the ARTA Kent Restaurant of the Year award?
The ARTA Kent Restaurant of the Year award is a regional category within the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards, recognising restaurants and takeaways across Kent.
How are ARTA 2026 finalists selected?
ARTA finalists progress through a process involving customer nominations, scoring, online reviews, Food Hygiene Ratings and regional judging.
When will the Kent ARTA winner be announced?
The Kent Regional Restaurant of the Year winner will be announced at the ARTA 2026 Grand Finale on Monday, 12 October 2026, at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Can customers nominate a restaurant for ARTA 2027?
Yes. Customers can follow ARTA announcements for details about the next nomination period and nominate restaurants they believe deserve recognition.
Why are restaurant awards useful for customers?
Restaurant awards can help customers identify businesses recognised through customer feedback, reviews, and professional assessment.
Kent Restaurants Representing Their Communities at ARTA 2026
The ARTA 2026 Kent shortlist highlights ten restaurants that have progressed through a competitive regional process involving customer nominations, reviews and further judging.
From Indian restaurants and takeaways to wider Asian dining businesses, the finalists represent the variety of food experiences available across Kent.
For diners searching for the best Indian restaurants in Kent, the shortlist offers ten businesses to follow as the competition reaches its final stage.
The next milestone will be the ARTA 2026 Grand Finale on 12 October at the London Hilton on Park Lane, where the Kent Restaurant of the Year winner will be announced.
