COWDENBEATH'S Namaste Shimla Palace Restaurant has won an important accolade in the Spice Awards 2019.

The Gala final took place at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on Monday when over 800 restaurants from across Scotland were engaged in its inaugural year and over 22,000 votes were counted to find the finalists.

Said a spokesperson for Spice Awards: "We were absolutely delighted with the response, so much so that the SPICE Awards are returning, bigger and better than before!

"A cuisine enjoyed by thousands of Scottish families and establishments loved by local communities, we were looking to the people of Scotland to vote for their favourite restaurants they think deserve recognition. From Gretna Green to John O’Groats and over the sea to Skye, we welcomed nominations from across the nation.

"The venues with the most votes made up a shortlist of Scotland’s most loved restaurants. An independent panel of industry experts toured the country sampling traditional favourites and chef specials alike.

"The judges were required to fill in a site visit report awarding scores for various criteria across taste, presentation, service and environment."

The Shimla, at Central Park, recently had an upgrade to the facilities in the lee of the football ground and stock car track and it claimed the Best Refurbished Restaurant award.

The Shimla team was delighted to receive the award, a big boost to highly successful Cowdenbeath business.