Popular Winsford restaurant scoops hat-trick of top curry awards

He wanted to share his passion for different cuisines and make the business thrive.

Fast forward five years and Hassan has collected several industry awards and just topped our latest Best of 2024 category – Mid Cheshire’s Best for Curry 2024 – making it a hat-trick of titles.

Bombay Lounge owner Afzal Hassan

In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition and we’ve given out 20 awards.

• Best for Hair - Fox Hairdressing
• Best for Pies - JD's Café
• Best for Nails - Blue Beauty Cheshire
• Best for Roast Dinner - The Bowling Green
• Best for Cocktails - The Grape and Bean
• Best for Breakfast - Zaza Café
• Best for Fish and Chips - The Corner Fish and Chip Shop
• Best Beer Garden - The Carriers Inn
• Best for Fitness – Lucas Debek
• Best for Tattoos – Face Base
• Best Independent Shop or Business – Pulse of Perfumery
• Best for Dessert – Layers Treats
• Best for Kids – Popcat’s Music Time Northwich
• Best for Pets – Happy Paws
• Best for Beauty – The Beauty Spot
• Best for Pizza – The Outback Pizza Company
• Best for Afternoon Tea – The Cosy Tea Room
• Best for Burgers – Burg ‘N’ Ice
• Best Gym – Namix Performance Centre

Voting for Mid Cheshire’s Best Café or Coffee Shop is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best Pub or Bar.

Vote for Mid Cheshire’s Best Café or Coffee Shop 2024

Nominate your favourite for Mid Cheshire’s Best Pub or Bar 2024

Seven delicious curry places made Mid Cheshire shortlist in the latest Best of 2024 category and Bombay Lounge came out on top for the third year in a row making it a hat-trick of titles.

Five years ago Afzal Hassan took over as the new owner of Bombay Lounge, formerly Bombay Tea Lounge, with big plans to relaunch the business and make it thrive.

Hassan’s dedication and hard work has paid off and he’s secured several awards over the past few years, making his culinary dream a reality.

He grew up in London but has lived in Cheshire and Staffordshire for the previous 20 years before opening Bombay Lounge in 2019.

Hassan took over Bombay Lounge five years ago

The Wharton Road venue in Winsford offers dine in, takeaway and delivery services and there are plans to expand the business in the future.

Hassan said: “We are a modern Indian restaurant with a fusion twist alongside the traditional way of Indian kitchens.

“We provide the best dining in experience and takeaway service.

“I’ve always wanted my own restaurant with my own special touch with having a passion for different cuisines.

“I wanted to be unique and create something different to other restaurants in the business.”

Hassan has always been in the catering industry but decided to jump onto the real estate market alongside cryptocurrency, which has given him a financial boost.

Hassan said: “I believe that it’s always good to have a back-up plan, especially with living in such hard times with inflation and the current economic climate.

“I have been shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 with Prestige Curry Awards.”

What do customers think about Bombay Lounge? Why did they want the restaurant to win our latest Best of 2024 award?

Hassan has a passion for different cuisines

One nomination said: “Excellent food and super service. Really fresh and tasty. Simply the best!”

Hassan said: “My restaurant sets me apart from all others because I have certain style of cooking certain dishes and items on my menu, which I have created in my own way.

“These aren’t available at any other restaurant.

“My customers love coming back here because I see them as my family rather than just a customer.

“We make them feel like it’s a home from home as soon as they walk through the door.

“Even on a bustling Friday or Saturday night, I will still be going around speaking to everyone – multitasking at its best!”

When Hassan found out that he’d made the shortlist for Mid Cheshire’s Best for Curry again this year he was pleased and hopeful of taking the crown for the third successive time.

Hassan said: “When I heard that I’d won, I was thrilled to complete the hat-trick.

“It’s an award where we have been recognised as a Mid Cheshire hot spot for curries once again.

“With being shortlisted for the editor’s Outstanding Chef of the Year at the English Curry Awards 2024 and Best Restaurant in Cheshire with Prestige Curry Awards, I am really excited.

“All the credit goes to my team at Bombay Lounge, who continue to give 110 per cent and I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without them.”

He added: “I would like to thank my fantastic customers and followers on all social media platforms for casting their votes and nominations for Bombay Lounge to win this award and for all their continued support.

“I wouldn’t have been able to win this without you!”