MELBOURNE
‘Spices 29’, a Goan Indian restaurant owned and managed by Nelson Fernandes and his wife Selma in the coastal town of Woy Woy in New South Wales, was awarded the third-best Indian restaurant in the country on October 27 by the Restaurant and Catering Association.
The win comes a month after the restaurant was awarded as the Best Indian Restaurant in Regional NSW by the association.
With 2025 starting off at a high note, ‘Spices 29’ received multiple awards and recognitions, including the BX Business Excellence Awards, Local Business Award, and the Restaurant Guru Awards, making the restaurant a well-celebrated entity on the central coast.
The restaurant first opened its doors in 2018 in the town of Woy Woy, where, in the last seven years of operation, the business has flourished and become one of the most popular places on the coast.
“It’s our customers and their continuous support and faith in us which drives us to success,” says Nelson as he talks about the win.
“It was a critical time when we started; by the end of 2019, Covid had hit. But to our surprise, the sales grew, and we started receiving love from the community,” he added.
By the end of Covid, Spices 29 was a well-established name in Woy Woy with great reviews online and a range of award nominations.
The restaurant is not just a favourite of the locals but from all over Australia and even beyond.
“Patrons come from all over NSW from the north coast to the south coast of NSW, from the western suburbs to the eastern suburbs of Sydney. We also get customers from Melbourne and Brisbane. Summers are special as we even get bookings from England with people visiting their families over the Christmas season,” said Nelson.
‘Spices 29’ brings the rich, aromatic cuisine of Goa to Australia. From the fresh-cooked seafood in Kokum-coconut sauces to the creamy lamb with apricot dish, the menu blends tradition with innovation, making the restaurant a hit among locals.
“The restaurant’s dedication to excellence extends beyond the kitchen. The attentive and knowledgeable staff ensures that every guest feels welcomed,” said Nelson.
“Our award-winning menu features a range of dishes that celebrate chosen ingredients and Indian culinary traditions to deliver flavours that amaze. For those looking to experience a slice of culinary brilliance, Spices 29 is ready to welcome our patrons with an unforgettable meal.”
Nelson said that the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the staff over the last seven years of the business have been the biggest factors contributing to the win.
In a competitive environment— especially for regional restaurants — consistency, quality and recognition are hard to achieve. Spices 29’s trajectory shows how focused cuisine, a strong sense of responsibility, community engagement and service excellence can elevate a local venue to top-tier status.
‘SPICES 29’ AWARDS
2023: Winner of the Restaurant and Catering Association Awards in Regional NSW and third place at the national level.
2024: Best restaurant for the Restaurant and Catering Association’s Regional NSW category and second place at the national level.
2024: Most outstanding business at the Local Business Awards
2025: The Local Business Award as the most outstanding restaurant on the central coast for the second time in a row.
2025: The Business xCellence Award 2025 in the Restaurant, Cafe and Bakery Category.
2025: Winner of Awards for Excellence in the Regional NSW (Indian restaurant) by Restaurant and Catering
2025: Restaurant Guru award for the Best Restaurant in Woy Woy
2025: Third-best Indian restaurant in the country by the Restaurant and Catering Association.
