Hindoostane Coffee House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hindoostane Coffee House |
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![]() Plaque commemorating the coffee house
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Restaurant information | |
Established | 1810 |
Closed | 1811 |
Food type | Indian curry house |
Street address | George Street |
City | London |
Country | England |
Coordinates | 51°31′03″N 0°09′23″W / 51.5174°N 0.1565°W |
The Hindoostane Coffee House was a very special place in history. It was the first ever Indian restaurant to open in the British Isles. This pioneering restaurant started serving delicious Indian food in London in 1810.
Contents
The First Indian Restaurant
The Hindoostane Coffee House holds a unique spot in history. It was the very first restaurant in Britain to offer Indian dishes. Before this, Indian food was not widely available in London. This restaurant gave people a chance to try exciting new flavors.
Who Started It?
The restaurant was opened by an amazing person named Sake Dean Mahomed. He was born in India and had a fascinating life. He served as a captain in the British East India Company's army. After his time in the army, he moved to London. He decided to share the wonderful tastes of India with the people of Britain.
Where Was It Located?
The Hindoostane Coffee House was located on George Street in the city of London, England. This was a busy area, and Sake Dean Mahomed hoped many people would visit his new restaurant.
A Short-Lived Venture
Even though the Hindoostane Coffee House was the first of its kind, it did not stay open for very long. It opened in 1810 but closed just one year later, in 1811.
Why Did It Close?
The restaurant closed because it did not attract enough customers. At that time, Indian food was very new to most people in London. Many were not yet ready to try these different flavors. This made it hard for the restaurant to be successful.
Remembering Its Legacy
Even though the Hindoostane Coffee House had a short life, it was a very important step in bringing Indian food to Britain. Today, Indian cuisine is incredibly popular across the country.
The Blue Plaque
To remember this historic restaurant, a special blue plaque was placed on George Street in London. This plaque marks the exact spot where the Hindoostane Coffee House once stood. It was put up in September 2005. The plaque helps people remember Sake Dean Mahomed and his brave attempt to introduce Indian food to a new country.