A NEW Indian restaurant praised for its top quality food and service is celebrating after taking Southend by storm and being nominated for a regional award.

Namaste Village, close to the Kursaal on Eastern Esplanade, has been named as a finalist in the 2024 Regional Restaurant of the Year competition at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway awards.

Despite only opening nine months ago, Namaste Village has become a hit and has already become the top-rated Indian restaurant in the city on Tripadvisor.

The resteraunt prides itself on serving authentic Indian vegetarian and vegan cuisine “showing meat eaters that flavour has nothing to do with being a carnivore”.

Ronish Sutariya, manager of the restaurant, admitted it was a surprise to receive the nomination, but is now hoping to scoop the top prize and pick up more awards in the future.

He said: “We are very happy to be nominated.

“We were not expecting these types of things to happen so soon after opening. We are surprised, but so pleased.

“Lots of people enjoy our food, and you won’t find this authentic food anywhere else in Southend.

“We hope to be up for many more awards in the future, too.

“There has already been awards for our other places in Norwich and Cambridge, but it is new for us, and for this city, so it is a great surprise, and we are very happy.”

On TripAdvisor, diners hailed the restaurant as “the b est Indian food around”.

One reviewer wrote: “The food is simply amazing, one of the best meals. I can’t wait to go back.”

A second added: “We were thoroughly impressed by the delicious Indian cuisine. Believe me, once you try their food, you will want to come back again and again. The staff is highly professional and friendly too. Everything is top-notch.”

Namaste Village took over from steak joint 300 Degrees at the old Minerva pub site.

The restaurant generously offers 30 free meals every Tuesday to residents living at the Southend supported housing project, Stephens Place.

Ronish added: “It has been going so well. We have lots of regular customers now, as well as new customers, which is great.

“We have held festivals here, and food carnivals, too. This has shown people what we have on offer here in Southend.”

The Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards celebrates Pan Asian cuisine and brings together some of the UK’s most popular restaurants.

This year, the finals will take place at London’s Royal Lancaster on October 6, hosted by BBC journalist Samantha Simmonds and magician Paul Martin.