One of Bristol’s most acclaimed restaurants snagged a major win in last night’s British Restaurant Awards. Indian restaurant Namak on Mina Road in St Werburgh's took home the Best Restaurant - Bristol award.
Namak scooped the prestigious award at the ceremony in London’s Porchester Hall. It saw off competition from Tomo No Ramen, Yafo, Adelina Yard, Root, Wilsons, The Ethicurean and Casamia. Wapping Wharf’s Root was shortlisted for the Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant category but lost to Stem + Glory in Cambridge.
The win by Namak is all the more impressive as it only opened earlier this year. Owner Harris Massey said that the restaurant aimed to bring a ‘fresh new take’ on Indian dining and was inspired by the country’s many regions.
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He told Bristol Live: “We are absolutely made up to have won. To have only been open for seven months and to be up against some of the best and most established restaurants in the city, makes the win that much more meaningful.
“We would like to thank everybody that voted for us and for all of the support we’ve had from the people of Bristol, most specifically our wonderful community in St Werburghs. We have exciting plans for Namak over the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled for updates and announcements from our team.”
Nominations for the 2022 awards were voted for by readers of Chelsea Monthly magazine, The National Post, Brand Weekly and members of the World Restaurant Awards Guide. These nominees were later put to a public vote.
Bristol Live reporter Estel Farell Roig, visited Namak in light of its nomination last month. She praised the restaurant as “a very strong, local choice” for curry.
Here is the full list of the 2022 winners:
Best New Restaurant: Miro Mayfair, London
Best Young Chef: Amber Francis
Best Luxury Restaurant 2022: The Ritz
Restaurant of the Year: Kutir, London
Best Hospitality Team: Happy Bar and Grill
Best Restaurant Chain: Thai Square
Best Chef: Aldo Zilli
Best Take-Away Restaurant: Chamisse, London
Best Culinary Experience: Peter Street Kitchen, Manchester
Best Restaurant - Manchester: Gaucho
Best Restaurant - London: Happy Bar & Grill
Best Restaurant - Liverpool: Lerpwl
Best Restaurant - Essex: Brohmon
Best Restaurant - Bradford: Cafe J’Adore
Best Restaurant - Bristol: Namak
Best Restaurant - Wales: Zero Degrees
Best Restaurant - Newcastle: Aveika
Best Restaurant - Sheffield: Neon Fish
Best Restaurant - Leeds: Blue Sakura
Best Restaurant - Cambridge: Bedouin
Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant: Stem + Glory, Cambridge
Queen Elizabeth II Lifetime Achievement Award: Jean Christophe-Novelli MBE
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