Two Indian restaurants in the West Midlands have received notable recognition in the annual Traveller’s Choice Awards: Best of the Best Restaurants for 2026. Varanasi, situated on Birmingham’s bustling Broad Street, was ranked third out of ten in the fine dining category. This accolade follows the restaurant’s rise to fame, including when actor Johnny Depp notably visited to enjoy their curry.
Solihull’s Lavang was similarly honoured, securing third place in the casual dining category. It ranked alongside popular eateries from cities such as York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, London, Cornwall, and Hampshire.
The Traveller’s Choice Awards, determined by visitor reviews, celebrate establishments across various categories-including casual dining, date night venues, hidden gems, vegan and vegetarian options, and fine dining.
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Edinburgh’s The Witchery topped the fine dining list nationally and also featured as the sole UK restaurant in the global rankings alongside acclaimed venues from Singapore, Vietnam, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico.
Despite some surprise in the rankings, such as Balti Curries in Falmouth placing seventh in casual dining nationally, Birmingham continues to shine as the birthplace of the balti dish, deeply embedding the city’s culinary heritage.
Varanasi is known for its tandoor and biryani dishes, attracting a loyal customer base, while Lavang is celebrated for its charcoal grills and baltis.
For those wishing to visit, Varanasi is located at 184 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1DA, and Lavang can be found at 884 Old Lode Lane, Solihull, B92 8LW.