Leeds’ Aarti Restaurant tops National Curry Award with nomination in Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver Awards
For the couple behind a family-run Indian restaurant in Leeds, the past 12 months have been nothing short of a dream come true as accolades keep coming their way.
What began as a passion project rooted in heritage, flavour and community has blossomed into one of the most celebrated Indian dining experiences not just in the city, but also in the country.
Just days after Aarti Restaurant was declared the national Curry Restaurant of the Year, than Shyamal Kumar, and his wife Prachi Choudhary were told that they have received another recognition – being a finalist in the Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver Awards.
Aarti Restaurant - on Swinegate in Leeds - was nominated in the Sustainability in Action category of the awards, which celebrate the finest restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, hotels, takeaways and chefs in Leeds.
It was only at the end of February that Shyamal and Prachi celebrated the national win in the annual competition run by Oceanic Awards.
Prachi says: “It was such an amazing thing to win.
“We really feel as if all our hard work as a family is paying off. Now we have been a finalist in the Yorkshire Evening Post Awards too, we feel incredibly proud.
“This is not just a business it is a mode of spreading happiness for us through our food.
“We treat the restaurant like our baby. We put our heart and soul into it.”
Aarti is a Sanskrit word for a traditional Indian lamp symbolically used to welcome guests to one’s home - and it is very much at the heart of the couple’s restaurant experience.
Says Prachi: “When people visit us, there is always one of is here to greet them. We feel that is really important to offer that personal touch.
“We have such a good connection with our customers.”
And the double delight of the latest award ceremonies cap an amazing few months. The recognition and plaudits for Aarti Restaurant have included:
· Family Restaurant of the year 2024 at Nation’s Curry Awards.
· Street food of the year 2025 at English Curry Awards.
· Best of Leeds 2025 at Yorkshire & North East Curry Awards.
· Outstanding Curry Restaurant of the year 2025 at British Curry Championship
· Rising Star Award 2025 to Shyamal Kumar (Aarti Restaurant) at Oliver Awards 2025.
· Best fusion Curry Restaurant of the year 2025 at 12th Icon Awards.
· Best Traditional Indian Curry Restaurant of the year 2025 at Oracle Awards.
Spice temptation – check out their menu
The menu, devised by Shyamal is a spice temptation.
One of the most popular dishes is Maratha Chicken (£13.50) which, says Prachi, is “known for our spices and flavours”. Those flavours include mint, coriander and green chillies.
Another dish Prachi says is a favourite among customers is a curry called Rara Gosht Punjabi Lamb (£13.50) – which is seasoned with spices and herbs.
There’s a great selection of vegetarian dishes too, including starters such as Dabeli (£7.95) - an Indian burger with a spicy filling - and a main such as Baingan Masala (£11.95) with aubergine as its star ingredient.
Visit award-winning Aarti restaurant
To visit this award-winning restaurant, email [email protected] or go to the Aarti restaurant website or ring 0113 536 1961
You’ll find the restaurant at Unit 3, 8-12 Swinegate, LS1 4AG, Leeds
The opening hours are Monday to Saturday: Noon-10pm Sunday: Noon-9.30pm