A popular Darlington restaurant continues its award-winning streak after scooping restaurant of the year at a prestigious awards ceremony.
Babul’s, on Skinnergate, was handed the award at the third North East Bangladeshi Awards (NEBA) on Monday (October 7) at The FED in Dunston, Gateshead.
The restaurant—originally named Spice Island before a rebrand in 2019—has been a staple in the region for 25 years and continues to win major awards for its Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine.
The award win comes on the same weekend that Babul’s - which also operates in Barnard Castle - was named the best restaurant in the North East at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTAs), which took place on Sunday.
The venue could be reaping in even more trophies later this year too, being nominated for The Curry Life Awards on October 13, The National Curry Awards on October 21, The Bangladeshi Catering Association Awards on October 28, and The Asian Curry Awards on November 17.
Hosted by TV presenters Jeff Brown and Henna Ahmed, the NEBA shined a spotlight on successful venues across the region, focusing on the catering industry.
A total of 33 awards were handed out, with six special recognition awards being presented.
The Restaurant of the Year award was broken down by location, with The Bayleaf, in Ferryhill, taking the crown for Durham and The Masala Lounge for Teesside.
Meanwhile, Coxhoe Corner Indian Takeaway took home the takeaway of the year award for Durham, with Spice Hut doing the same for Teesside
Here’s a full list of the winners for the event:
Restaurant of the Year:
- Gateshead: Jashn
- Newcastle: Raj Bari
- South Tyneside: Namaste
- Sunderland: Mumbai Silk
- Teesside: Masala Lounge
- Darlington: Babul’s
- Durham: Bay Leaf
- Northumberland: Amran’s
Takeaway of the Year:
- North Tyneside: Ruchita Tandoori
- Northumberland: Spice of India
- Gateshead: Bill Quay Tandoori
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- Durham: Coxhoe Corner
- Sunderland: Nawaab
- Teesside: Spice Hut
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