Four restaurants in Sutton and Croydon have been shortlisted for the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA) 2026, competing in the Surrey regional category. The businesses—Kanteen and Madol Doova in Wallington, Panahar in South Croydon, and Rishi’s in Slate & Grain Brasserie and Bar in Hackbridge—are among 10 finalists vying for the regional title.
More than 1,250 nominations received
ARTA, often referred to as the Curry Oscars, celebrates restaurants and takeaways serving Asian cuisine across the UK. The awards recognise food quality, service, value for money and overall customer experience. According to ARTA, more than 1,250 nominations were received for this year's awards, with the top 10 businesses in each region progressing to the shortlist.
Shortlisted businesses are assessed using customer nomination scores, Google and Tripadvisor reviews and food hygiene ratings before going through a regional cook-off. The winners of each regional category will be announced at the ARTA Grand Finale on October 12 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
Wallington restaurants on the shortlist
Kanteen on Stafford Road in Wallington has been shortlisted for Regional Restaurant of the Year – Surrey. The restaurant serves Indian cuisine, with a menu featuring curries, biryanis, tandoori dishes and vegetarian options. Its menu includes dishes such as Malabar chicken and mutton biryani, jackfruit biryani, soya chaap biryani and a range of thalis. Kanteen also offers a weekend brunch, with dishes including Punjabi choley with paratha, bun omelette and stuffed parathas.
Madol Doova on Manor Road in Wallington has also been shortlisted for Regional Restaurant of the Year – Surrey. The restaurant specialises in Sri Lankan cuisine, with dishes including lamprais, fish curry, coconut roti, pol sambal, crab fried rice and aubergine moju. It also offers vegetarian and vegan options, including jackfruit dishes and lentil curries. Madol Doova has previously attracted attention for its ambitions to bring Sri Lankan food and culture to Wallington, and earlier this year applied for permission to sell alcohol and provide live and recorded music later into the evening.
South Croydon and Hackbridge finalists
Panahar on Limpsfield Road in South Croydon is the third Sutton and Croydon business to make the Surrey shortlist. The restaurant serves both Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine, with a menu featuring curries, biryanis, tandoori dishes and vegetarian options. Its menu includes dishes such as Nally Gosht lamb shank, Bengal Chicken Sagerana and Lamb-E Shatkora, alongside more familiar Indian dishes. Panahar is based at 316 Limpsfield Road, South Croydon.
Rishi’s in Slate & Grain Brasserie and Bar in Hackbridge completes the local Surrey shortlist. The restaurant is led by chef Harish Suresh, known as Rishi, and serves Indian cuisine alongside street food, sharing dishes and a Sunday roast menu. Its menu includes Chettinad chicken curry, lamb rogan josh, biryani, pani puri, Punjabi samosa chaat and a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Rishi’s has already enjoyed success at the ARTA awards, with Harish Suresh winning National Chef of the Year at the 2025 awards. The restaurant is based at 6 Spinning Wheel Way, Hackbridge.
Awards recognise hospitality contribution
ARTA said the awards aim to recognise the contribution of Asian restaurants and takeaways to the UK's hospitality industry, with customer nominations playing a central role in determining the shortlist. The four businesses are among 10 that will now compete for the Surrey regional title, with the regional winners to be announced at the ceremony on October 12.
