Hindoostane Coffee House

Hindoostane Coffee House is considered to be the first Indian restaurant in London, United Kingdom. It was established by Sake Dean Mahomed, an entrepreneur of Bengali origin, in 1810.

History

Sake Dean Mahomed was a notable figure in the 19th century British society. He was an author, entrepreneur, and is known for introducing shampooing to Europe. In 1810, he opened the Hindoostane Coffee House in George Street, near Portman Square, in the central area of the British capital.

The Hindoostane Coffee House was advertised as a place for gentlemen to enjoy hookah with real chillum and Indian dishes of the highest perfection. Despite its novelty and the high quality of its services, the coffee house did not prove to be a profitable venture and Mahomed was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1812.

Legacy

The Hindoostane Coffee House is a significant part of the culinary history of the United Kingdom. It marked the beginning of the British love affair with Indian cuisine, which continues to this day. The restaurant paved the way for the proliferation of Indian restaurants in the UK, which number in the thousands today.

Despite its short-lived operation, the Hindoostane Coffee House has left a lasting impact on British food culture. It is often mentioned in discussions about the history of Indian cuisine in the UK and is considered a landmark in the history of the British culinary scene.

See also

• History of Indian influence on British cuisine
• Sake Dean Mahomed
• Indian cuisine