Britain's Oldest Indian Restaurant Faces Royal Knockout in 100th Year

It has been a fixture of British-Indian dining since first opening its doors in April 1926 on the day Elizabeth II was born – and has, over the decades, served guests ranging from Marlon Brando to the late queen herself.

- Ben Quinn

Yet a dispute with the current monarch's property developer now threatens the survival of Britain's oldest Indian restaurant just short of its 100th anniversary.

The crown estate, which owns the listed building housing the Michelin-starred Veeraswamy restaurant near Piccadilly Circus, has said it cannot continue to extend its lease against the backdrop of plans to refurbish and upgrade offices in the same property.

Veeraswamy's co-owner, Ranjit Mathrani, is now heading to the high court to object to the plans in an effort to have the lease extended.

Mathrani said he was sure that the royal family would be unhappy to hear what is being done in their name to a restaurant long regarded as the grand dame of British-Indian food.

“They believe in history, in living history, and that's what this restaurant is. It's not just a museum, and I think they would be disappointed that an institution bearing their name would be so heartless,” he said.