A Muswell Hill curry house is celebrating after scooping three industry awards in as many months.
Taste of Nawab, in Colney Hatch Lane, achieved the hat-trick during its 30th anniversary year — a remarkable achievement for a family-run restaurant that has been serving the community since 1996.
North London’s best
The most recent honour came on Monday (October 12) when chef and owner Abdul Rahman was presented with north London restaurant of the year at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTAs) at the London Hilton in Park Lane.
Abdul said: “Three awards in three months – and in our 30th anniversary year. It’s honestly quite overwhelming.”
“We’ve been here since 1996, and the support we’ve received from our customers and this wonderful community has been incredible.”
“These awards are not just for me. They’re for our fantastic team and for everyone who has supported Taste of Nawab over the years.”
“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together, and I want to say a huge thank you to everybody who has been part of our journey.”
A winning streak
The ARTA win follows two other major accolades. In August, Taste of Nawab received a Good Food Award Gold Seal for 2026/27, recognising consistent excellence and high standards.
A month later, the restaurant earned a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2026, placing it among the top 10 per cent of restaurants worldwide on the review platform.
30 years in the community
In August, around 100 guests — including customers, friends, and residents — attended Taste of Nawab’s 30th anniversary celebration.
Notable attendees included poet and children’s author Michael Rosen, a regular at the restaurant and a fan of their dal, along with MP Catherine West.
Over the years, Taste of Nawab has become a fixture of the Muswell Hill and Friern Barnet community, regularly supporting schools, charities, and local events.
Why it matters
In an era when high streets are struggling and independent restaurants face rising costs, energy bills and staffing challenges, Taste of Nawab’s success is a reminder of what community-focused businesses can achieve.
Thirty years is a lifetime in the restaurant industry. Most new restaurants don’t survive their first year, let alone three decades. To not just survive but thrive — winning national awards along the way — speaks to something special.
Part of it is the food. But part of it is the relationship with the community. When a restaurant supports local schools and charities, when the owner knows regulars by name, when a beloved children’s author drops in for dal — that’s not just a business. That’s a neighbourhood institution.
The three awards in three months are recognition not just of culinary excellence, but of endurance, consistency and community spirit.
It’s also a boost for Muswell Hill itself. The area has long had a reputation for good food, but national recognition like this puts it on the map for diners from across London.
For Abdul Rahman and his team, the challenge now is to live up to the title of north London’s best restaurant. If the last 30 years are anything to go by, they’re up to it.
Visit
Taste of Nawab is on Colney Hatch Lane, Muswell Hill. As north London’s restaurant of the year, booking ahead is advisable.
The restaurant’s 30th anniversary year has been its most decorated yet. Three awards in three months is the kind of run most restaurants can only dream of.
But for Abdul Rahman, the real reward is simpler: three decades of serving a community that keeps coming back.
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