Hindoostane Coffee House

The Hindoostane Coffee House opened in 1810 at 34 George Street in the City of Westminster. It was the first Indian restaurant in the British Isles. Sake Dean Mahomed, a former captain in the Bengal Army, founded the establishment. The building served as both a restaurant and a hookah smoking club. It closed in 1833 after Mahomed became bankrupt. The site is now marked by a City of Westminster plaque. The plaque was erected in September 2005 to recognise the building’s historical significance. It stands as a reminder of the early influence of Indian cuisine in Britain. The plaque is part of the city’s heritage trail. Visitors to the site will find the plaque on the exterior of the building. The location is a quiet corner of George Street, near other historic landmarks. The plaque itself is small but clearly visible. It offers a brief account of the coffee house’s history and its founder. The surroundings reflect Westminster’s blend of old and new architecture.