Horsham Tandoori review: Does Sussex’s award-winning takeaway live up to its title?

There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to ordering a curry in Horsham. But a takeaway freshly crowned the best in Sussex gives you a good reason to take a closer look at the menu.

After reporting on Horsham Tandoori’s success at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards (ARTA) 2026, I was offered the chance to try its food.

It proved a thoroughly enjoyable meal, with familiar favourites alongside some combinations I was particularly pleased to have tried.

The family-run business at 42 East Street was named Sussex Regional Takeaway of the Year at the ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane on October 12.

For 22-year-old Thafsir Moktadir, who runs Horsham Tandoori with his brother and father, the recognition comes during a busy period for the family business.

The premises now operates as Chai Haus during the daytime before switching to the takeaway in the evening.

“It’s really special, just because we’ve worked so hard,” Thafsir said. “We’ve been in the place since 2012.”

An award brings expectations, of course. Back at our table, there was plenty to sample, with a spread that included curries, onion bhajis, naan bread and rice.

The Rajah Chingri Mince (£17.50) was a particularly successful combination. King prawns and spiced minced lamb might not be everyone’s usual takeaway order, but they worked brilliantly together. The prawns were great, with the lamb complementing them beautifully and making this an extremely tasty dish.

It was the sort of choice that makes trying something different worthwhile, even when you have established favourites elsewhere on the menu.

As we worked our way through the meal, however, two dishes emerged as the standouts.

The butter chicken (£11.45) was a family favourite and one I would happily order again. There is a reason familiar dishes keep their place on takeaway menus, and this was a thoroughly enjoyable reminder of the appeal of a good butter chicken.

Alongside it, the Botti Kebab Jhool (£12.50) was equally memorable. The spicy lamb meatballs, served in a rich sauce, earned their place among the evening’s highlights and would be another easy choice on a return order.

Our spread also included onion bhajis (£4.50), plain naan (£3.50) and pilau rice (£3.75). We added chicken biryani (£11.25), chicken rogan (£8.25) and extra naan and rice.

Behind the food is a closely involved family team. Thafsir’s father, Shah, is the owner and head chef, with more than 40 years of experience, while his sons work out front.

“We look after every single aspect of the business,” Thafsir said.

That involvement extends from preparing orders to considering how the menu is written. Thafsir said his father’s role in the kitchen is central to what customers receive each evening.

The recent move into daytime service has also brought the family closer to its customers. Thafsir explained that, as fewer people came through the doors to place takeaway orders, they missed the face-to-face conversations.

The café offered a way to bring those back while making use of the space during the day.

“We came up with this idea of the café by day, takeaway by night, so we can have customers coming in during the day,” he said.

Now, a customer visiting for a coffee or chai might tell them how much they enjoyed the previous night’s curry. Seeing people return week after week is, he said, particularly rewarding.

He was keen to stress that the award belonged to more than the family.

“It’s equally a team effort with everyone in the kitchen, all of our delivery drivers, and, you know, we have everyone to thank. That includes our customers as well.”

Asked why anyone who had yet to try Horsham Tandoori should place an order, his answer was clear: “Because we’re the best in Sussex!”

After an extremely tasty family meal, I could see why they had won. We finished with a few new favourites – and plenty of reason to make another order.

To find out more, visit: https://horshamtandoori.app4food.co.uk/