White Tiger, a restaurant on Liverpool's waterfront opposite the M&S Bank Arena, has been named the North West's best newcomer at the 2026 Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards, also known as the "Curry Oscars".
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.
Recognition after just five months
The White Tiger team told the ECHO: "We only opened our doors five months ago, so to be recognised at ARTA feels completely surreal. Our whole team has poured their hearts into the restaurant, but this award belongs as much to the people of Liverpool as it does to us."
"The city welcomed us with open arms from day one, and we are very grateful for the incredible warmth and support our guests have shown us."
From doctors to restaurateurs
The Indian restaurant is from long-time friends Meenal Abhyankar and Dhanya Kalathil, who tell diners to "expect the unexpected" when visiting. The venue cost around £500,000 to create and prides itself on promising a "vibrant and flavour-led dining experience".
Meenal and Dhanya, both 47, have spent more than 20 years working as doctors in the Liverpool City Region, balancing demanding careers in medicine with family life. The pair said their move into hospitality is not a departure from that world, but an extension of it - a "passion project rooted in care, connection and community".
The friends first met at the school gates with their children, quickly bonding over shared experiences of building lives in Liverpool and a mutual love for authentic Indian food and the flavours of home. While continuing their medical careers, they began developing White Tiger during their time off. Despite their love for the city, they felt there was a "gap in the market" for Indian cuisine that reflected the breadth and complexity of dishes found across the subcontinent.
Menu and industry pressures
At the heart of White Tiger is a menu created in collaboration with two award-winning Indian chefs, Shipra Khanna and Anahita Dhondy - both of whom have appeared on MasterChef India. The menu includes regional dishes and modern interpretations, alongside influences inspired by Hakka street food and global flavours.
ARTA founder and CEO Mohammed Munim 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."
