Do you agree/disagree with the judges' choices? Let us know about your favourite Indian restaurant in the comment box below

Scotland/Northern Ireland

Cinnamon Club, 476 Union Street, Aberdeen AB10 1TS (01224 633328; www.cinnamon-aberdeen.com). Book a table

The nouvelle Indian menu at the Cinnamon Club combines a number of dishes from all over India and gives them a local flavour. Standouts include haddock kebab or Scottish king scallops spiced up and cooked in the tandoor.

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Try the starter hara thika kebab with chicken, lamb and green chillies or the Mango Murgh, chicken served in a thick mango curry Mangalore style.

Average cost: £28 per head

Judges' verdict: "Vibrant and exciting, a good example of Indian cuisine in post-Millennium Britain."

North West

Indian Ocean, 83 Stamford Street East, Ashton-Under-Lyme OL6 6QH (0161 3433343; www.indianoceanonline.co.uk)

Nahim Aslam opened his bright, lively restaurant and lounge in 1993 and it has flourished as a centre for good food ever since. Food spans the Indian sub-continent, including such dishes as spiced sea bass served with spinach, and kidney bean bhaji. Customers can enjoy a recently updated menu.

Signature dish is Raan-e-Khyber – a succulent slow-cooked lamb shank.

Average cost: £16 per head

Judges' verdict: "The exuberance of this restaurant makes it stand out. The management never seems to stop offering customers added value whether in food or entertainment."

North East

Last Days of the Raj, 168 Kells Lane, Gateshead NE9 5HY (0191 4826494; www.thelastdaysoftheraj.co.uk)

Established in 1995, this award-winning restaurant has become renowned for its quality, elegant surroundings and delicious menu which boasts some of the finest traditional and exotic Indian cuisine in the North East. Owner Athair Khan personally selects and trains the staff to deliver top-class cuisine made from fresh ingredients. Find all the usual staples, such as dupiazas, biryani and rogan josh.

For something different try the duck Jalfrezi.

Average cost: £20 per head

Judges' verdict: "A fine example of the more traditional Indian restaurant with a good range of Indian and Bangladeshi dishes."

East Midlands

Mem-Saab, 357-359 Wellingborough Road, Northampton NN1 4EU (01604 630214; www.mem-saab.com/northampton)

Mem-Saab has drawn considerable attention for its quality and innovation, with a menu that offers more choice than many upmarket alternatives. Roast duck with black pepper sauce and Goan steamed mussels stand alongside an extensive vegetarian selection.

Try the Tiffin Collection, which includes roast beef in pepper sauce.

Average cost: £18 per head

Judges' verdict: "The considerable thought that has gone into the menu is obvious and its reputation for style and service is undeniable."

West Midlands

Lasan, 3-4 Dakota Buildings, James Street, Birmingham B3 1SD (0121 2123664; www.lasan.co.uk). Book a table

Energetic Jabbar Khan opened Lasan in April 2002 and has since stacked up awards and built a reputation for being one of the best Indian restaurants in the country. A contemporary setting for some seriously different food, the menu roams from a seared breast of duck, to cardamom and clove-smoked lamb chops served with masala mash.

Try the Doi Maich – pan-fried black bream cooked in a coriander-flavoured yoghurt curry, with mustard seeds and fresh curry leaves.

Average cost: £22

Judges' verdict: "Khan and his chefs always ensure that Lasan is at the cutting edge of Indian cuisine in Britain."

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Wales

Bokhara Brasserie, Court Colman Manor, Pen-y-Fai Bridgend CF31 4NG (01656 720212; www.court-colman-manor.com/restaurant.html)

Bokhara Brasserie, situated in an ornate hotel on six acres of landscaped grounds, is said to be the UK’s only Indo-Med experience with a menu split to represent both cuisines. You can start with tandoori chaat, enjoy Dover sole for your main, and finish with Indian Desi Methai for dessert.

Try the Rara Gosht Punjabi – chunks of lamb with mince and liver with grilled chillies and spices. The Mediterranean menu works its way through shellfish soup, roast best end of lamb with orange and coriander sauce, and char-grilled fillet steak.

Average cost: £16 per head

Judges' verdict: "A rather unique, child-friendly restaurant that certainly adds to the overall UK Indian restaurant scene."

South East

Maliks Tandoori Restaurant, High Street, Cookham, Berkshire SL6 9SF (01628 520085; www.maliks.co.uk)

The leafy village of Cookham is home to super-chef Heston Blumenthal’s favourite curry place, which takes its inspiration from all over the sub-continent. Tucked away in an old flower-draped cottage, Maliks is a favourite of locals and celebrities alike.

Try the Sikandri lamb, which has spent the previous forty-eight hours marinating, or the Lamb Rezalla, grilled and cooked in tangy lemon sauce with fresh chillies.

Average cost: £21 per head

Judges' verdict: "Malik’s reputation has grown rapidly and is recommended by customers from all over the world for its quality food and service."

South West

Rajpoot, Rajpoot House, 4 Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BA (01225 466833; www.rajpoot.com)

Rajpoot is justifiably proud of its accolades, including those from the likes of Brooke Shields (“Yum!”), Lionel Blair (“Great hot stuff”), and Ken Livingstone. Opened by Ahmed Chowdhury in 1980, it was once dubbed “Aladdin’s Cave” and the name has stuck. Set in a series of “caves” below street level, Rajpoot has been hugely popular for years and will soon double its size.

Try the Rajpoot spicy salmon steak, served with Rajpoot style Potatoes, Puloa Rice and salad, or perhaps one of the chef’s selection menus from £16.50.

Judges' verdict: "One of the many restaurants in the industry that has maintained very high standards over a long period of time yet is always prepared to innovate and move forward."

London Central and City

Tamarind, 20 Queen Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5PR (020 76293561; www.tamarindrestaurant.com). Book a table

One of the most stylish Indian restaurants in Britain occupies the site of the old Tiberio where Frank Sinatra was regularly spotted. Tamarind was among the first Indian restaurants in Britain to gain a Michelin star, and still attracts celebrities, such as Tom Cruise when he is in town.

Try the lobster Karaikudi, or the grilled cakes of chicken minced with ginger, coriander, onion and green chillies, served with smoked red pepper chutney.

Average cost: £35 per head

Judges' verdict: "Tamarind continues to show to what high levels the traditional cuisines of the Indian sub-continent can be taken."

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London suburbs

Brilliant Restaurant, 72-74 Western Road, Southall, Middlesex UB2 5DZ (020 85741928; www.brilliantrestaurant.com)

Punjabi cuisine with a Kenyan twist is served at this Southall favourite. Prince Charles popped in almost 30 years ago and was back with the Duchess last year to mark the restaurant’s efforts to source local ingredients. Opened in 1975 by K.K. & D.K. Anand, it is now run by son Shankar Anand and daughter Dipna Anand. The second generation has introduced a healthy menu to run alongside traditional favourites. Even chef Gordon Ramsay visited Brilliant to learn how to use the tandoor.

People have travelled from far and wide for years to enjoy Brilliant’s Butter Chicken but Chef Jas and Dipna have ensured an exciting choice of top class dishes.

Average cost: £19 per head

Judges' verdict: "Brilliant has always been thought of as one of the top traditional Indian restaurants in Britain but the addition of Dipna Anand’s healthy options has given it a whole new dimension."

The judges comments are from Peter Grove, president of the Federation of Specialist Restaurants www.fedrest.com

For more information visit: www.britishcurryaward.co.uk

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