An Indian restaurant in Oxford has won a coveted national award.

Spice Lounge on Banbury Road in Summertown has been serving customers since 2006 and earned rave reviews.

The business has now been recognised with the Best Indian Restaurant in Oxfordshire title at the Euro Asia Curry Awards on Tuesday, November 26.

Manager Aktar Bhai has been at the restaurant since its inception and is delighted to have scooped up the special honour.

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Spice Lounge in Oxford.Spice Lounge in Oxford. (Image: Google Maps)

“We tend not to go in for awards and prizes usually as we instead focus on looking after the customers and making sure their feedback is positive,” he said.

“That being said, it was a really great event and we are delighted to have won the award.

“There was a lot of celebration because at the moment these are challenging times for everybody with the economy the way it is.

“It was just nice to get together with innovative people, thinking outside of the box and preserving and getting success from that.

“It always helps when you win as well!”

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The food at Spice Lounge has been commended.The food at Spice Lounge has been commended. (Image: Spice Lounge)

The Spice Lounge team are always keen to welcome new customers whether they be local or tourists in the city.

“Indian food is one of the best culinary experiences in the world so if you haven’t given us a try then you need to come and see us,” said Aktar.

“In truth, we are always being tested as you are only ever as good as your last meal because yes we have been there since 2006 but we wouldn’t be in the position that we are if we weren’t good.

“Every night we are being tested and we do have bad experiences but it is how we turn those things around and how we support the staff and support the customers.

“In my opinion, you have three elements which are the service has got to be fantastic, the food has got to be spot on and so has the ambience which is created by the people.

“Thankfully, touch wood, we’ve got those in abundance so please, come try us out.”

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The Euro Asia Curry Awards honours the best curry eateries in the UK with hundreds of businesses and individuals nominated for the awards.

Around 50 regional and national winners were chosen and received their gongs at the ceremony at Mayfair in Romford, London.

The annual event, now in its eighth year, was founded by Bangladeshi chef, Shorif Khan.

“We’re very excited to once again be celebrating the incredible people, restaurants and takeaways that make the UK curry industry as loved as it is,” he said.

“Annually, the industry contributes more than £5 million to the country’s economy and 2024 has been a particularly strong year.”

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