Indian snack giant Haldiram’s will be opening a brand new restaurant in June.
Established in 1937, the Haldiram’s name has been bringing India together over flavourful, high-quality snacks and sweets.
This June, Haldiram’s will open the doors to its brand new UK restaurant in Leicester Square (19-20 Irving Street).
Asian Standard went onto the streets of Southall, where the popular Indian brands manufacturing unit is based, to find out what locals thought about the new store.
Ashish Randhawa, a worker at Panjab Palace, said: “I’ve tried Haldiram’s in India before, only a few times – one of those times was in Delhi, where I tried lots of different sweets.
“But, I’m very excited about the restaurant opening and I will definitely go when it opens.”
Many were singing praises for the store, and realised the impact that Haldiram’s could have on culture and to British audiences.
Sukhdeep Graya, a butcher at Quality Meat Market, said: “Haldiram’s know what they’re doing.
“Their products are good quality and they use really good ingredients, which is why they’re popular.”
At its heart, the menu is a celebration of India’s most beloved dishes, including choley bhature, a popular North Indian chickpea curry served with fluffy fried bread.
As well as this, there will also be pao bhaji, a rich, spiced Mumbai-style vegetable curry, and raj kachori, a large, crisp shell packed with classic chaat fillings.
The restaurant will also feature its own dedicated retail area, with a sweets counter and shelves of Haldiram’s products for takeaway.
Sonya Sonya, a worker at a popular fabric shop in Southall said: “Haldiram’s is very tasty. I’ve never had it before in the UK, but it is really the best,” and Harpreet Singh, a worker at Royal Sweets said similarly: “Haldiram’s is really popular in India, and their products are really good.”
A worker at Gabha Pharmacy also told Asian Standard: “We tend to get more of the savoury items, but Haldiram’s is really good.
“I’ve been in the UK since the 90’s, and I’ve seen how South Asian products have become much more popular, which makes me happy.”
Ms. Rhea Agarwal is a third-generation entrepreneur from the founding family and Director of Business Development, now leading Haldiram’s growth.
Personally, Agarwal is involved with the growth of Haldiram’s.
She told Asian Standard: “Some of my fondest memories are from childhood. All of us cousins would go to the stores with our grandmother every Saturday.
“We’d spend hours there eating, exploring, and just being part of the environment. Haldiram’s has always been deeply rooted in our family life, and every family member was involved in the business in some way from a very young age.”
She explained how the transition is a really significant moment to bring Haldiram’s to London, especially for the South Asian community living away from home.
She also added: “I’ve personally been away from India for over 11 years, so I understand that craving for truly authentic food. London has an incredible Indian food scene, but when you grow up in India, the flavours and experience are very specific and deeply nostalgic.
“Being able to bring that authenticity to London, and give people a real piece of home, is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
With a presence spanning over 80 countries and more than 200+ restaurants across north India, Haldiram’s has long been a dominant force of the global food landscape.
Its London debut signals more than expansion – it marks the arrival of an iconic Indian brand stepping confidently into the world of global dining, bridging familiarity with aspiration, and tradition with contemporary relevance.
Haldiram’s will open in Leicester Square at 19-20 Irving Street from June.
