Happy 100th Veeraswamy
The oldest Indian restaurant in the UK, Veeraswamy was established in Regent Street, London, in 1926 by Edward Palmer, a spice merchant and the great-grandson of General William Palmer (the first Governor General of India) and the Moghul Princess Faisan Nissa Begum.
The original menu comprised recipes from Palmer’s roots, with the objective of educating Londoners on Indian cuisine, but also adding some English and French dishes to the early repertoire.
A poster announcing the restaurant’s 1926 opening day declared the offer of ‘Clean Indian and English Food, Good Wines and Oriental Coffee’. The restaurant quickly became a prime destination for both international travellers and avid Londoners.
In 1934, MP William Stewart took over the business, and the restaurant entered a new age with added glamour, attracting celebrities and global royalty as regular customers.
Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi acquired the restaurant in 1996, adding it to their evolving business portfolio, which then included Chutney Mary (then in the King’s Road, Chelsea, now in St James’s since 2015). Namita’s sister, a renowned hotel marketeer with the Taj Group, collaborated to reinvigorate Veeraswamy – and together they merged the culinary history of the restaurant with contemporary elements, and an impressive design rethink and restoration of the physical space.
A century later from the original launch, with a Michelin star since 2016, Veeraswamy boasts a luxurious interior which pays homage to its long history, including many colourful and precious Indian artefacts.
The restaurant’s interior is filled with colour and glamour – showcasing Indian art and artefacts – spread across three spaces, including impressive wide window views over bustling Regent Street, just steps away from Piccadilly Circus. The private dining room – seating up to 18 – is equally impressive, with Indian regalia appointing the walls.
The current menus showcase both authentic classic and contemporary regional dishes, including several specialities from the kitchens of India’s Royal palaces, such as Raj Kachori, and Patiala Shahi Raan.
Also, paying homage to the century of operation, several dishes that have remained from the original launch, including a couple of Edward Palmer’s favourites – Mulligatawny Soup and Hyderabad Lamb Biryani.
Many very popular dishes, incorporating the best of British produce with the finest Indian spices, include Grilled Scallops Nadan Style, Gilafi Lamb Seekh Kebab, Tandoor Green Prawns, Roast Duck Vindaloo, Lobster Malabar Curry, and Chicken Mumtazi.
Veeraswamy is open daily for lunch and dinner, including special lunch, weekend, pre-theatre tasting menus. There will also be a series of celebratory dishes during the coming months, highlighting the ‘Best of Veeraswamy’.
NOTE: Camellia, Namita and Ranjit are very grateful for the support they have received to date to help save Veeraswamy from closure, and they will continue the fight with The Crown Estate to keep Veeraswamy in its rightful home on Regent Street.
The acquisition of MW Eat by Fairfax makes absolutely no difference to this campaign. Ranjit will continue to be a Director of MW Eat, and all three will continue to be in personal charge of this dispute.
They have stated that they have both a moral and financial commitment to protect the historic heritage of a restaurant they have spent years nurturing, and to stand by the loyal, exceptional colleagues who have devoted so much of their working lives to it.
Veeraswamy – 99 Regent Street, London W1B 4RS
Enjoying the Art of Lunch at Veeraswamy, a timeless authentic taste of India
