The popular chain - which was founded by Rafique Uddin Babul in 1995 - is continuing its award nominations streak this year, being finalists in seven major culinary competitions. Originally known as Spice Island, Babul's has gone on to garner a strong reputation across County Durham, with the chain even opening a restaurant in Darlington - which was also nominated for The Echo's competition - back in 2022. While Rafique sadly died in 2023, his legacy lives on as Babul's continues to bring in swathes of positive reviews online, with one happy customer branding the Barnard Castle site as having "some of the best Indian food I've ever had".
Speaking on the nomination for Babul's, which is based on the town's Market Place, Zak Ahmed told The Echo this week: "We have seen the 80s and 90s style curry house evolve into more of a city style eatery. We have been constantly developing. "We're still doing well at our Barnard Castle restaurant - Barnard Castle is a small market town and we are rubbing shoulders with big city restaurant chains.
"It's all confidence that we are doing the right thing." Babul's currently employs around 50 staff at both the Darlington and Barnard Castle sites - meaning there could be a bit of friendly competition on the cards with both being nominated for The Echo awards. He continued: There's a bit of competition there with Darlington and Barnard Castle both being nominated - we can go head to head between staff.
"This year for all the major restaurant award.