Survived WWII Bombings, Served World Leaders: This 100-Year-Old Indian Restaurant In London May Close— Will King Charles III Help?

Veeraswamy, the UK’s oldest surviving Indian restaurant, is facing an uncertain future. Founded in 1926, it has remained at its original Regent Street location for almost a century. Now, supporters of the iconic eatery are preparing to take a petition directly to Buckingham Palace in the coming weeks to urge King Charles III to step in. The petition calls on the monarch to help safeguard the restaurant as "a living piece of shared cultural history." This campaign has gathered momentum as locals and food lovers try to prevent the closure of an iconic London institution.

According to a report in the BBC, the threat comes from a dispute with the Crown Estate, the landlord that owns the building Veeraswamy occupies. The estate says Victory House, the Grade II-listed building where the restaurant is located, requires refurbishment. “This is not a decision we've taken lightly,” a spokesperson told the BBC when announcing the lease would not be renewed. They argue that the planned updates are not compatible with the restaurant remaining on-site. At the same time, the Crown Estate has offered financial support and help to find alternative locations in the West End.

Supporters are rallying behind the restaurant with a petition that has already gained more than 19,000 signatures. Several high-profile chefs, including Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux and Richard Corrigan, have voiced their support for the campaign. Corrigan questioned the closure directly, saying, "Most European cities cherish their legendary restaurants. Why in the name of God would we want to lose Veeraswamy?" The petition describes Veeraswamy as a "symbol of Indo-British cultural connections.” It is asking the King to protect the historic venue as it nears its 100th birthday in March. “We’re calling on His Majesty King Charles III to intercede with The Crown Estate and The Crown Estate to reconsider this short-sighted decision and protect a historic institution that has stood through war, migration and monarchy,” the petition mentioned.

The restaurant’s owners explain that the Crown Estate wants to reclaim just 11 square metres of ground-floor space, which would block access to the mezzanine dining room and make continuing operations impossible. "The rationale is tied to building refurbishment, but practical alternatives exist that would allow the restaurant to remain, without hindering the wider development," they note. The BBC report mentioned that supporters plan to bring the petition to Buckingham Palace gates, and a centenary dinner in March will also be a moment to gather public and celebrity attention.

Veeraswamy has been an important part of London’s food scene for many years. It was established in 1926 by Edward Palmer, a former Anglo-Indian army officer and has stayed in the same Regent Street location ever since. At first, it welcomed Anglo-Indians who missed the tastes of home and later served generals, civil servants, businesspeople and expatriates. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were among the early visitors, according to co-owner Ranjit Mathrani. Even during World War II, when London was heavily bombed, the restaurant reportedly stayed open.

The restaurant’s fame has continued over the decades. It became a fashionable West End venue with notable figures Charlie Chaplin, Marlon Brando and Sir Winston Churchill paying it a visit. More recently, Princess Anne, David Cameron and Andrew Lloyd Webber have visited. Veeraswamy has also catered at Buckingham Palace for Indian dignitaries in 2008 and 2017. It is even credited with introducing the classic British pairing of curry and beer, a trend that reportedly started when Prince Axel of Denmark enjoyed Carlsberg at the restaurant in the 1920s.

Ownership changed hands in 1996 when Namita Panjabi and Ranjit Mathrani took over from MP Sir William Steward’s family. They carried out a major renovation to modernise the restaurant while keeping its historic character intact. Veeraswamy received its first Michelin star in 2016 and has retained it since. Mathrani emphasised the restaurant’s importance to the history of the Indian community in Britain as he described how it "broke the ice" for future generations of Indian restaurants.

Longtime patrons share stories that highlight the restaurant’s role in their lives. Mathrani recalls, "We have people coming in to say: 'I first came here with my godfather when I was aged 12' or 'I was engaged here during the Blitz' or 'I came here because my uncle brought me here in the 1950s.'" The co-owner hopes King Charles might have a "quiet word" in support, although Buckingham Palace has stated it is a matter for the Crown Estate, a BBC report stated.

Veeraswamy is also notable for its culinary innovations. A 1947 menu offered dishes that were priced according to Indian fares such as Madras chicken curry and khur gosh ka salan alongside a bottle of 1934 Veuve Clicquot champagne for £3 (approximately Rs 370). By 1952, items like chicken korma, chicken vindaloo and tika khabab had been added. The restaurant introduced the UK’s first tandoor oven in the 1950s.

The dispute with the Crown Estate comes as part of a larger modernisation plan for Victory House. Planning documents indicate that the restaurant space would be converted into offices, and changes to the entrance would make it impossible for the restaurant to operate. The estate says it must "carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House to both bring it up to modern standards, and into full use." In the petition, the restaurant also mentioned that it is taking legal steps, “but the outcome won’t be known until 2026 - and the risk of closure is very real.”