An Indian restaurant in Kent has been recognised as the best in the country at a prestigious national ceremony. Spice Village, located in New Ash Green, was named "Best Restaurant of the Year" at the Curry Life Awards 2026, an accolade that celebrates excellence across Britain's curry industry.
The restaurant is owned by Babul Miah, a hospitality veteran who began his career in his uncle's restaurant at a young age. Miah, who worked in the kitchen before moving to front-of-house roles, has been part of several high-profile establishments, including one ranked among the country's top ten by undercover food tasters and another featured in the Good Food Guide.
Award puts village on the culinary map
Speaking after the win, Miah credited his customers for the achievement. "I would like to thank all the customers from Kent for putting New Ash Green firmly on the culinary map," he said. His remarks underscored the significance of the award for the small village, which now boasts a nationally recognised dining destination.
Miah described hospitality as being "in my DNA", noting that his immediate and extended family are involved in "around 15 to 20" businesses in the sector. His personal journey reflects a deep-rooted connection to the industry, from his early days in his uncle's kitchen to leading his own award-winning establishment.
Record-breaking year for Spice Village
The past year has been exceptional for Spice Village, which "broke trading records," according to Miah. This success followed a refurbishment, a renewed focus on customer service, and a decision to allow customers to bring their own drinks to their meals. These changes appear to have resonated with diners, driving significant growth for the restaurant.
The Curry Life Awards 2026 ceremony took place on Sunday, October 4, at the InterContinental London Park Lane. The event was hosted by BBC presenters Jon Kay and Luxmy Gopal, and attended by more than 500 guests, including British Asian entrepreneurs and hospitality professionals.
41 awards presented at London ceremony
A total of 41 awards were presented across categories such as Best Restaurant, Best Chef, Editor's Choice, and Best Takeaway. Winners were determined through a combination of public voting and a rigorous judging process, ensuring that recognition was both democratic and merit-based.
The awards are organised by Curry Life magazine, which aims to highlight outstanding achievement in the curry industry. Syed Belal Ahmed, editor of Curry Life, praised the sector's leaders. "The UK's curry industry features some of the country's most inspiring businesspeople and restaurateurs," he said. "We are delighted to give them a national platform from which to shout about their hard-won achievements so that they can continue to thrive. The British Curry Industry has, once again, done itself proud."
Spice Village's victory adds to a growing list of accolades for the region, following the recognition of West Wickham's iNaga at the same awards. The win highlights the continued strength of curry establishments across Kent and the broader UK hospitality sector.
