Two Suffolk favourites have been recognised on the national stage, as The Chequers Indian Lounge and its sister restaurant Jilani took home prestigious honours at the Nations Curry Awards 2026, held in Huddersfield.
The awards celebrate excellence across the UK’s curry industry, recognising restaurants that demonstrate outstanding quality, service, and contribution to their local communities.
Award Wins to Be Proud Of
At this year’s ceremony, The Chequers Indian Lounge in Great Blakenham was crowned Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year, recognising its refined approach to Indian cuisine, elegant surroundings, and consistently high standards of hospitality.
Meanwhile, Jilani in Sudbury received an Outstanding Achievement Award in the Local Restaurant of the Year category, celebrating its long-standing reputation for quality food, warm service, and strong community connection.
A Word from the Founder
Speaking after the ceremony, founder Mr Jilani said:
“These award wins are a true reflection of the hard work, commitment and passion shown by our teams every day.
Seeing both restaurants acknowledged is a proud moment and reinforces the high standards of quality, service, and hospitality that we continually strive to deliver.”
He added:
“These achievements would not be possible without the dedication of our staff and the continual support from our loyal customers and local community.
I would like to thank our loyal customers and the local community for their continued trust and encouragement.
This recognition inspires us to keep moving forward.”
Celebrating Suffolk on a National Stage
Winning at the Nations Curry Awards places both restaurants among the very best in the UK curry industry, shining a spotlight on Suffolk as a destination for exceptional Indian dining.
For the teams at The Chequers Indian Lounge and Jilani, these awards are not just a celebration of past success, but motivation to continue raising standards and delivering memorable dining experiences for every guest.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey — these awards belong to you as much as they belong to us. 🍽️✨