London's 100-Year-Old Indian Restaurant 'Veeraswamy' Fights To Stay At Historic Home

For nearly a century, Veeraswamy has been more than just a restaurant. Tucked away in London's Victory House on Regent Street, it has served generations of diners, introduced Indian flavours to the British palate, and become a symbol of India's culinary legacy abroad. Now, the iconic establishment finds itself at the centre of a battle for survival.

Historic restaurant faces eviction

The Michelin-starred restaurant, which opened its doors in 1926, is facing eviction after its landlord, the Crown Estate, declined to renew its lease because it has plans for a large-scale renovation of the Grade II-listed building that houses the historic eatery.

The prospect of leaving the address it has called home for almost 100 years has alarmed Veeraswamy's owners, who argue that the issue goes beyond business. They believe the restaurant represents an important piece of Indian heritage in Britain, one that cannot simply be moved elsewhere.

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Appeal to Indian government

Ranjit Mathrani, co-owner of MW Eat, the group that owns Veeraswamy, has now appealed to the Indian government to support the restaurant's cause.

"Even at this late stage, we would urge the government of India to consider intervening on behalf of Indian cuisine — the country's soft power in the UK," Mathrani said in a statement, as reported by The Guardian.

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He added that the timing of the dispute is especially disappointing, given the strengthening ties between India and the UK and the recent Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. "Veeraswamy is a shining example of culinary expertise exported out of India," he said.

The legal dispute is set to move to Central London County Court, where a five-day hearing is scheduled to begin on June 29.