Itihaas in Dalkeith named among the UK's top 100 Asian restaurants

Midlothian's reputation for good Indian food has been given a national boost. Itihaas in Dalkeith has been named among the top 100 Asian restaurants in the UK at the Asian Restaurant Awards, held in the Members' Dining Room at the UK Parliament at the end of April.

Itihaas was recognised alongside its sister restaurant, The Radhuni in Loanhead. The pair stood out as the only restaurants from small neighbouring towns to make a list otherwise dominated by major city venues and Michelin-recognised kitchens. According to the restaurants, only one other Scottish restaurant made the UK top 100.

The awards are organised by the Asian Catering Federation and recognise the best restaurants across the UK's Asian food sector. This year's ceremony was hosted by Bobby Dean, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, with awards presented by BBC journalist Samantha Simmonds, and the Midlothian pair were chosen from thousands of restaurants across the country.

Managing partner Habibur Khan said that seeing two restaurants from small Midlothian towns recognised at this level was incredibly special. He described it as more than an award, calling it recognition for Scottish curry houses and the passion, skill and innovation that exists in them, and said the team was proud to represent Scotland on a national stage.

Its sister restaurant The Radhuni had already been named Scotland's Curry Restaurant of the Year by Curry Life magazine and has held an AA Rosette for five consecutive years.

Executive chef and founder Matin Khan said being placed in the top 100 out of thousands of restaurants was an incredible honour, and that the achievement belonged to the whole team and to the loyal customers who continue to support them.

Itihaas is an Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant on Eskbank Road in Dalkeith, around 20 minutes from Edinburgh city centre. It describes itself as a Scottish Curry Awards winner and AA Rosette holder, and offers free parking, a la carte dining, lunch, a Sunday banquet and a takeaway menu.

For diners in Dalkeith and the surrounding villages, the recognition confirms what regulars already knew. It also gives visitors to Dalkeith Country Park or the town centre another reason to stay on for dinner.

To view the menus, book a table or order a takeaway, visit the Itihaas website.