Rivaaz Indian restaurant in Lumington wins national accolade in Curry Life Awards
A New Forest Indian restaurant has been crowned Best Restaurant of the Year in this year’s national Curry Life Awards.
Rivaaz in Lymington was listed along with 19 other curry houses across the country, just two years after Mashayel Ahmed took ownership in 2023.
The accolade recognises Mashayel’s introduction of a comprehensive delivery service to create a thriving takaway operation, the addition of new regional dishes to the menu, and the completion of a “tasteful” refurbishment.
The Curry Life Awards 2025 culminated in a ceremony at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, London, hosted by ITV broadcaster Nina Hossain.
Mashayel said: "Winning this award is a massive honour and allows us to reach our goals quicker. This will push us to open in more locations and keep the same format and unique dishes.”
Syed Belal Ahmed, editor of Curry Life Media Group, which runs the awards, said: “The UK's curry industry features some of the country's most innovative entrepreneurs and restaurateurs. All of them have inspiring stories to tell, and they must be given the necessary support to grow and thrive.”
Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer, the event’s headline sponsor, added: “The curry industry is a cornerstone of Britain’s hospitality landscape, bringing people together and creating opportunities across every corner of the country.
“In today’s climate, marked by high energy bills, workforce challenges and ongoing economic headwinds, our restaurants have shown extraordinary creativity and community spirit.
“As founder of Cobra Beer and former President of the CBI, I have witnessed firsthand how curry restaurateurs invest in their people and adapt with agility.
“The Curry Life Awards celebrate not only culinary excellence but also the spirit of collaboration that defines our industry. These awards enable us to write the next chapter in Britain’s curry story, building on our collective strengths to ensure the sector thrives for years to come.”
Other guests at the awards ceremony included Stephanie Peacock, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, MPs Rushanara Ali, Mike Wood, Wendy Morton and Ben Obese-Jecty, who all spoke passionately about the contribution the industry makes to the UK economy and the communities it serves.
Rivaaz on St Thomas Street is one of the New Forest’s best known restaurants and was run by Shah Malek for more than 15 years before he sold the business in 2023.
The team set a new record by winning the Asian Curry Awards ‘Best Asian Restaurant on the South Coast of England” five years running.
As reported, Shah said he only sold the restaurant on one condition - that all the team of loyal staff that he had built up kept their jobs.
The Curry Life Awards, organisaed by Curry Life Magazine, are in their 16th year and are a celebration of British curry houses, highlighting outstanding performance, innovation, and culinary excellence. More than 500 guests, primarily successful British Asian entrepreneurs and professionals in the curry industry, attend the prestigious ceremony each year.
Awards are given in a range of categories, including Editor's Choice, Best Restaurant, Best Chef, and Best Takeaways. Curry Life Awards, a total of 39 Awards were given nationally this year in different categories.
For more information about Rivaaz or to book a table, visit www.rivaazlymington.co.uk
Photo Caption: The Rivaaz Lymington team receiving the award from Stephanie Peacock, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and the celebrity host Nina Hossain