Scotland’s curry stars crowned at Spice Awards 2025

Scotland’s kings and queens of curry have been crowned at a prestigious event in Glasgow for the Spice Awards 2025.

Winners such as Polski Kebab Motherwell, Jaadoo Indian in Alloa, Five Rivers Stirling, Grillzz Airdrie, Murphy’s Pakora Bar Glasgow, Delhi’s Winter Linlithgow, Mekong East Kilbride and katsu Glasgow all collected coveted awards.

The Spice Awards are widely regarded as the Oscars of the curry world, and with more and more Asian cuisines reflected in the every-growing category selections.

It is not just about curry, as the awards showcase the best of Japanese, Nepalese, Chinese and even kebabs and pakora.

Awards director Warren Paul said: “The standard of entries this year was staggering, the quality is always very high but our judges had a really difficult task this time.

“The quality of food, service and so on in Scotland across the wide range of Pan-Asian cuisines is really something we should be proud of.

“It’s always nice to see new names come up as finalists and even as highly recommended or winners on the night, as well as the favourites people rely on year after year.

“It shows how deep and strong the food scene is in Scotland even in these very tough times for all of us – not least the hospitality trade in general.

“Congratulations to everyone picking something up here – but again I want to stress that some very, very good entries have just missed out. 

“We’re always happy to share feedback with those who don’t win, so they know where things can be improved. I think that’s part of why our awards are so respected – the transparency.”

The awards were created by Warren, who runs the event through his company Paramount Creative.

The Spice Awards starts with public nominations and voting, when everyone in the country can endorse their favourite food spots.

Then the finalists are announced and the judging panel of industry experts tour Scotland, visiting every finalist to review and rate them.

And there are special awards like the Curry Championships with a live cook-off in front of the judges – this year won by Madras Café in Glasgow.

“Every finalist delivers great quality food, service and more, so they’re all strong. But we always want to help people improve,” said Warren.

“Our winners are the best of the best but again, the standard of food served across the board has definitely stepped up this year.

“It means a lot to us to see how valued the awards are and hear the impact a win has had for past winners too.

“It’s a privilege to help shine a light on the heroes of these wonderful cuisines in Scotland.”

The coveted Lifetime Achievement Award went to Raj Bajwe MBE (pictured in main pic) of Murphy’s Pakora Bar – and Warren believes this was a very apt win.

“Raj has done so much for hospitality, for food and just for Glasgow – he’s an ambassador in every sense, hosting all sorts of famous visitors to the city,” said Warren.

“Mel Gibson, Meatloaf, Billy Connolly and countless other stars have been hosted by this great man, so it’s a privilege to now show the city’s appreciation for him with this special award.”

Full list of winners –

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Raj Bajwe MBE of Murphy’s Pakora Bar
BEST RESTAURANT MANAGER: Bombay Dreams Cumbernauld
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE: Macau Kitchen Edinburgh
BEST KEBAB: Polski Kebab Motherwell
BEST NEWCOMER: JAADOO Indian Restaurant Alloa
BEST TEAM: The Tudor Hotel Airdrie
BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT: Five Rivers Stirling
BEST PERI PERI: Grillzz German Döner & Peri Peri - Airdrie Airdrie
BEST BUFFET RESTAURANT: Booffi - Glasgow Fort Glasgow Fort
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA: Tempura Troon
BEST CHEF: Delhi’s Winter Linlithgow
BEST PAKORA: Murphy’s Pakora Bar Glasgow
BEST CHINESE TAKEAWAY: Padi East Kilbride
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT: Mekong East Kilbride
BEST NEPALESE RESTAURANT: De’ Buddha Authentic Nepalese Restaurant and Bar Johnstone
BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT: Katsu Glasgow Glasgow
BEST INDIAN TAKEAWAY: Bombay Lounge Dalkeith
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT - CENTRAL: Sidhu's Perth
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT - NORTH: Rajpoot Inverurie
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT - EAST: Bell Bottom Eatery Edinburgh
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT - WEST: Annaya’s Helensburgh Helensburgh
CURRY CHAMPIONSHIPS: Madras Café Glasgow