A stunning restaurant in Liverpool city centre has been named among the best in the UK. The family behind The Grand by Ikkayees, located on Victoria Street in the Pride Quarter, has been shortlisted at The 15th English Curry Awards 2026, organized by Oceanic Awards.
New Business of the Year Finalist
This restaurant is a finalist in the New Business of the Year category, having only opened its doors in October 2025. Its sister site, Ikkayees Indian Restaurant on South Hunter Street, is also a finalist in the Best of Liverpool category.
The team told the ECHO: "To have two of our restaurants honoured in the same year is an incredible achievement and a proud moment for every member of our team. These nominations reflect the passion, commitment and hard work that goes into everything we do, from preparing authentic dishes to providing genuine hospitality for every guest who walks through our doors. We are fortunate to have an amazing team whose dedication makes achievements like this possible every day."
Gratitude to Customers and Community
"We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to our loyal customers, whose continued support and encouragement inspire us to keep raising our standards. Liverpool has embraced us from the very beginning, and we are proud to be part of such a vibrant and diverse food community. Finally, we would like to thank the Liverpool ECHO for its continued support of local independent businesses and the hospitality industry. Recognition like this not only celebrates individual restaurants but also highlights the strength and diversity of Liverpool's food scene. We are honoured to represent the city at the English Curry Awards and look forward to the awards ceremony with great excitement."
Origins of Ikkayees
South Hunter Street's culinary brand Ikkayees was born on the streets of Calicut, India, in 2014, thanks to founder Fulaij Nelliyot. Since then, it has blossomed into an international restaurant family with several sites around Liverpool and another now welcoming its first customers. The brand started just over a decade ago when a group of college students were deeply moved by their experiences at a palliative care centre in Southeast Asia. Meeting a spirited six-year-old named Kulsu and witnessing the resilience of patients battling chronic illness inspired Fulaij and his brothers, Shafrin and Muhammed Arafath, and friends Shibili Latheef and Prabeesh Kumar Krishna to merge entrepreneurship with compassion.
Today, Ikkayees employs more than 250 people in eight branches across India, Kuwait and the United Kingdom. It is also behind County Road’s Indo Curry and Tuebrook’s Wraps and Shakes.
Grade II-Listed Victoria Building
The brand officially launched another site inside the Grade II-listed Victoria Building, which dates back to 1882, towards the end of 2025. The restaurant had been in the pipeline for six months. The menu offers a comprehensive exploration of Indian cuisine. To bring the menu to life, the brand dispatched a team to traverse all 28 states of India, engaging with regional chefs and delving into diverse culinary practices and flavours. Guests can anticipate street food, aromatic biryanis, coastal seafood specialities and curries from both Northern and Southern India.
At the time, co-owner Muhammed told the ECHO: "We are genuinely pleased and profoundly appreciative to present this concept in Liverpool. This city has welcomed us with exceptional warmth through our other establishments, and that support has been invaluable to us. What excites us most is not solely the introduction of a new menu or a new venue, but the opportunity to share more of India’s rich culture, traditions and hospitality with the residents of this city. This city has become a second home to us."
The 15th English Curry Awards 2026
Organized by the Oceanic Awards, the awards are a prestigious culinary event that recognizes and celebrates the finest talents, restaurants and takeaway services in the English curry industry. The awards honour individuals and establishments that deliver "exceptional food, outstanding customer service, and unforgettable dining experiences". Finalists are selected based on public votes and ongoing due diligence checks by the organizers. The competition features categories regionally focused, such as Takeaway of the Year and Restaurant of the Year, with regional winners culminating in overall champions. The 15th English Curry Awards will take place on Monday, August 10, 2026.
