A landmark London restaurant is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Punjab Restaurant, a place that has been serving people for decades, is marking the milestone as four generations of the same family continue to be its pillars.
As it celebrates its 80th anniversary, the restaurant is paying tribute to the man who has played a pioneering role in making Punjab Restaurant one of London’s finest dining institutions.
Beginning its remarkable journey in 1946, Sardar Gurbachan Singh Maan started the business as a peddler and opened the restaurant on Braham Street in Aldgate. Over time, it quickly became popular among Indian students and members of the Indian High Commission, leading to its relocation to 80 Neal Street in Covent Garden.
Ever since then, the popularity and affection it has received have never faded. One notable example came in 2023 when King Charles III, a well known food enthusiast, visited their stand at Covent Garden. Accompanied by Queen Camilla, he sampled some of its signature dishes, adding another chapter to its long history.
As the restaurant celebrates this remarkable milestone, much of its success can be attributed to Sital Singh Maan. His association with the business spans more than 70 years and has played a significant role in shaping Punjab Restaurant into what it is today.
Sital Singh arrived in Britain from Punjab in 1955 at the age of 15 and lived above the family’s restaurant on Neal Street while attending school and helping with the business. Over the years, he worked across various family ventures before taking over Punjab Restaurant from his grandfather in 1970.
“A huge part of that story is my father, Sital Singh Maan, current Chairman of Punjab and grandson of our founder. His
stewardship, dedication and commitment to safeguarding the family’s heritage have helped guide Punjab through decades of change while remaining true to its roots. His passion for Punjabi culture, hospitality and community continues to inspire everything we do,” said Amritpal Singh Maan, MD of Punjab Restaurant.
Under his leadership, the business acquired neighbouring properties, increased its seating capacity and secured the freehold of its Covent Garden premises. Notably, the restaurant also played an important role in campaigns that helped preserve parts of Covent Garden during redevelopment plans in the 1970s.
Amritpal Singh Maan also mentioned, “The fact that Punjab remains family-owned and family-run after four generations is something we never take for granted. Preserving that legacy requires balancing tradition with progress, respecting the values that built the restaurant while ensuring it continues to evolve for future generations.”
Widely recognised as the oldest North Indian Punjabi restaurant in the UK, Punjab has preserved recipes passed down through generations. Today, diners continue to return for dishes such as Kali Daal, lamb curries and chicken curries that have remained at the heart
The restaurant’s anniversary celebrations have also prompted an outpouring of appreciation from customers. One social media user wrote: “I have had the privilege of dining at Punjab many times, usually in the company of Punjabi friends. Those are among the best meals I have ever eaten. More importantly, I have never been made to feel so much like an honoured guest as I have at Punjab. Blessings and gratitude to all.”
The praise from across London does not stop there. Many Facebook users have also praised Sital Singh, describing him as a “simple” and “cheerful” man. Those qualities are reflected in the leadership that helped the restaurant expand significantly over the years.
Today, as the fourth generation of the Maan family continues to run the restaurant, the anniversary celebrations recognise not only the restaurant’s founder, Gurbachan Singh Maan, but also Sital Singh’s role in preserving and growing the family business.
As Punjab marks eight decades in business, the restaurant remains committed to the values on which it was founded: offering authentic Punjabi food and providing a home away from home for generations of diners in London.
