Akshaya - The Picture Drome in Kensington, Liverpool, has been named the North West's best restaurant at the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards. The venue, which combines a restaurant with a cocktail bar, has built a loyal following since welcoming its first customers almost 20 years ago.
Award-winning venue
The restaurant now boasts an enviable reputation, backed by thousands of five-star reviews on Google and TripAdvisor. Its success story began on a much smaller scale, with the restaurant initially catering for just 50 diners at a smaller nearby venue. A few years ago, the team moved to the Picture Drome, a building with a colourful past as both a Wetherspoon pub and a cinema.
Since then, the team's commitment to serving quality food and delivering an exceptional customer experience has helped establish Akshaya as one of Liverpool's most celebrated dining destinations.
Recognition at ARTA 2026
The venue walked away with the coveted title of the region's best restaurant from the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards this week. Liverpool's White Tiger also won the UK's best newcomer award.
More than 1,250 restaurants and takeaways were nominated for this year's awards by diners and food enthusiasts. Nominations were supported by customer reviews, social media engagement and Food Hygiene Ratings.
Industry pressures highlighted
ARTA founder and CEO Mohammed Munim said the finalists represented the passion and dedication of businesses across the UK's Asian hospitality sector. He said: "Heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and finalists of ARTA 2026. Their dedication, creativity and commitment to excellence continue to raise standards across the UK's Asian restaurant and takeaway sector.
"This industry represents far more than food. It is an integral part of multicultural Britain, supporting communities, creating employment and bringing extraordinary culinary experiences to diners across the country.
"We gather at an important time for hospitality. Despite continued customer demand, restaurants across the UK face significant pressures from rising employment costs, food prices, energy bills and other operating costs.
"Yet independent businesses continue to invest in quality, their teams and the customer experience. That resilience, creativity and determination deserve to be recognised and celebrated."
