Covid-19 forces Indian Accent London to shut down

Social distancing, costs of operating in an expensive location and the economic uncertainty in the UK are being cited as the reasons

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Indian Accent had opened in London in December 2017, following its first international outpost in New York City, in February 2016.

COVID-19 has one more high-profile casualty in the hospitality industry. Indian Accent London, which operated in Mayfair, one of the city’s poshest locations, has shut its doors permanently.

According to a statement put out by IRL, the company which licensed Indian Accent in London, the decision was the direct result of COVID-19. “Social distancing would reduce the restaurant capacity to just 30 covers. This, combined with the significant fixed costs as a result of operating on one of the most expensive streets in the world and the general economic uncertainty in the UK, means that the business is unviable at its current location,” said the statement.

This is the second major fine dining restaurant to announce its exit from London’s highly competitive hospitality scene. The two Michelin-starred restaurant, The Ledbury, located in Notting Hill, announced its closure earlier this month, again due to the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

Indian Accent had opened in London in December 2017, following its first international outpost in New York City, in February 2016. The menu featuring dishes such as soy keema, quail egg and lime leaf butter pao, Kashmiri morels and walnut powder with parmesan papad and ghee roast lamb with roomali roti, made it one of the best-reviewed Indian fine-dining places in the city.

Manish Mehrotra, Corporate Chef, Indian Accent Restaurants, said, “It is sad to see that so many great restaurants in London and across the world are having to close. We hope that restaurants are able to get through this and return even stronger after this crisis. We will miss being a part of the exciting dining culture in London. We hope to make it back in London, bigger and better, once we put this crisis behind us.”

The official statement also stated that Indian Accent in New Delhi and New York City will not be affected by the decision taken by the London company and “are getting ready to safely reopen in compliance with local guidelines.”

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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