We are proud to share some wonderful news. Koyal has been named Community Dining Experience of the Year at the 2026 Indian Restaurant Congress & Awards - the first international, Global Edition of an event that has celebrated Indian hospitality for more than fifteen years. The ceremony was held at the Royal Lancaster London, bringing together some of the finest Indian restaurants in the UK and beyond.
What the award means
Of all the categories that evening, this is the one that means the most to us. Koyal was built to be two things at once: a kitchen with the ambition and technique of a fine-dining room, and a genuine neighbourhood restaurant that Surbiton can call its own. Community Dining Experience of the Year recognises exactly that balance - food worth travelling for, served with the warmth of a local you return to again and again.
A year of recognition
The award caps a remarkable stretch for the restaurant. Koyal holds 2 AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence in both 2025 and 2026, and was honoured with a 2025 Global Recognition Award for community impact and leadership. It is a testament to the team led by Chef Nand Kishor Semwal, whose regional Indian cooking - Himalayan ingredients, binchotan charcoal, and dishes drawn from across the subcontinent - has quietly redefined what a neighbourhood Indian restaurant can be.
Thank you
None of it happens without our guests. Every booking, every review and every returning table is part of why this award sits where it does. You can read more about our story and the press on our press and awards page, and there has never been a better moment to join us - whether for a weekday lunch, our Seafood Celebration on 15 July, or dinner any evening. Book a table at 59-63 Brighton Road, Surbiton, and celebrate with us.
Experience it in Surbiton
Reserve a table at Koyal - 2 AA Rosettes, Brighton Road, Surbiton
