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Bristol curry house named among UK’s top Asian restaurants
A Bristol-based curry house has been named among the top Asian restaurants in the UK.
Achari Indian Kitchen has been named in the Top 100 Asian Restaurant for 2026 during an official industry event at the House of Lords.
The event, which was held in the members’ dining room in the Palace of Westminster, brought together industry leaders, restaurateurs, chefs and politicians.
Hosted by the BBC news presenter Samantha Simmonds, the event was organised by the Asian Catering Federation as part of Asian Curry Awards.
Achari Indian Kitchen has been named in the Top 100 Asian Restaurant for 2026 during an official industry event at the House of Lords – photo: Asian Curry Awards
Achari is the only restaurant from Bristol to make the list and one of three from the South West, alongside Maha Bharat from Kingsbridge and Eastern Eye in Newton Abbot.
The event, which celebrated the Asian restaurant industry, however, touched upon the difficulties faced by the sector which include sourcing skilled chefs due to new immigration policies and the “shifting regulations”, which were seen as casting a new set of uncertainties for investors and restaurant operators.
The leaders pointed out that the sector, which is valued at £4bn, is “at crossroads” where more support and political will were asked.
Among the industry leaders and politicians that attended the event included Karan Bilimoria, member of the House of Lords and the founder of Cobra Beer; Shuan Goode, chief executive of Kingfisher Beer; Nazrul Islam, Bangladeshi high commissioner; Dato Zakir Jaffer, Malaysian high commissioner, and the MPs Sarah Olney, Rushanara Ali, Emma Foody, Martin Wrigley and Bobby Dean – organiser of the event.
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On the recognition, Kamrul Islam, founder at Achari, said: “We’re pleased with the inclusion of Achari in the top 100 Asian restaurants of the UK. It’s recognition of our dedication to authentic cuisine, culinary innovation and high-quality services.
“Placing Achari among the country’s most respected Asian dining establishments is a huge honour.
“While the evening was a celebration of Asian cuisine, it was also a reminder that the industry is at a crossroads.”
Achari and its predecessor, Indian Ocean, have been a mainstay of Cotham Hill for over 30 years and has won multiple industry accolades, including making the Top 100 list for 2025 at a similar event.
Achari brings together Indian, Bangladeshi and British Indian culinary traditions, “blending tradition with innovation”.
Achari and its predecessor Indian Ocean, have been a mainstay of Cotham Hill for over 30 years – photo: Milan Perera
The area, named one of the coolest in the UK in Time Out’s 2025 list, is home to several acclaimed food and drink establishments, which include Panunzio’s Kitchen, Bravas, Rubicon Too, Fed and Bristol Legends winner Corks of Bristol.
Main photo: Asian Curry Awards
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