Punjab Restaurant was founded in 1946 by Gurbachan Singh Maan on Braham Street in Aldgate, having spent 10 years in the UK as a peddler. Demand from the Indian High Commission and Indian student population led to its relocation to its present location 80 Neal Street.
As more of his family arrived from Punjab, two other restaurants – New Punjab and Sardar, were also opened by his sons and grandson. But when Gurbachan Singh decided to retire, it was his grandson, Sital Singh Maan who took over. Sital Singh had joined his grandfather in London in 1956, living with him above 80 Neal Street.
Sital Singh went on to extend the restaurant sideways, backwards and upwards. In 2012, his son Amrit Maan is appointed as Managing Director, with Sital Singh remaining as Chairperson. Under Amrit, 190 Shaftesbury Avenue is acquired in 2023.
The restaurant is steeped in British Punjabi and local history. Sital Singh and the Punjab played a huge part in saving the area from redevelopment in the 1970s. Despite over 75 years of being here, upholding Gurbachan Singh’s values has seen the restaurant through recession, financial crises, and difficult periods like the recent pandemic.
Gurbachan Singh Maan arrives in UK from Mehsumpur, in the Jalandhar District of Punjab in what was then British India.
Gurbachan Singh Maan opens the Punjab Restaurant and Café at 5 Braham Street in Aldgate, where he served English and Punjabi food.
Punjab Restaurant moves to 80 Neal Street, Covent Garden.
Sital Singh Maan arrives in UK to live with his grandfather Gurbachan Singh Maan above the restaurant.
The first Maan family wedding takes place in the UK and the reception takes place at the Punjab Restaurant.
Gurbachan Singh Maan retires and officially hands over the business to grandson Sital Singh Maan. He continues to live above the restaurant.
Sital Singh Maan purchases 80 Neal Street A major refurbishment which relocates the kitchen to the basement and expands the washrooms.
Punjab Covent Garden acquires 82 Neal Street. The restaurant is extended sideways, bringing its capacity to 68 seats.
Sital Singh Maan purchases 78 Neal Street and Punjab Covent Garden is extended backwards behind the Astrology Shop
The bedroom of Gurbachan Singh Maan becomes a dining space. 82 Neal Street is purchased. Amrit Maan is appointed MD; his father remains Chairman.
Punjab Covent Garden cuts back its 75th Anniversary celebrations due to the global Covid Pandemic.
Amrit Maan acquires 190 Shaftesbury Avenue, next door to Punjab Covent Garden, with space now for private bookings too.
We’re very much a walk-in restaurant, we seat walk-ins on a first come, first serve, complete group basis.
However, we take limited reservations if it’s a special occasion, for large groups of more than 10, or if you are visiting from overseas.
Our busiest times are between 7-9pm every day. Outside of these times, you are likely to get a table almost immediately. Please note, we always seat complete groups first.
We have a minimum order policy 1 main dish per person. For group bookings, we will require a £10 per person deposit to secure your reservation
Punjab Restaurant
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