Restaurant India News: Canadian Investor Scoops Up Iconic UK Indian Restaurant Group MW Eat

MW Eat, the hospitality group behind some of Britain’s best-known Indian restaurants, has been acquired by affiliates of Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings. Founded with the opening of Chutney Mary in 1990, MW Eat operates restaurants such as Amaya, Masala Zone and the Michelin-starred Veeraswamy. 

The company said the new ownership will bring “significant investment” to support its global expansion plans and help it develop new restaurant formats.

Group Director Camellia Panjabi, the Mumbai-born restaurateur and author, called the acquisition “a transformative chapter” for the company. “Fairfax brings financial strength, global perspective and a long-standing commitment to India,” she said, adding that MW Eat’s teams would benefit from expanded opportunities as the group enters its next phase.

Panjabi said she and fellow directors Namita Panjabi and Ranjit Mathrani will support Fairfax during a “seamless handover” as the new owners plan to expand the group’s brands beyond the UK.

With its first restaurant, Chutney Mary, opening in 1990, MW Eat now becomes part of a Fairfax portfolio that includes major Indian assets such as Bangalore International Airport, Thomas Cook (India) and Sterling Holiday Resorts. Fairfax chief Prem Watsa praised the trio for creating “iconic restaurant brands,” noting the company’s wider hospitality experience through Canada’s Recipe Restaurant Group.

The acquisition also puts fresh focus on the uncertain future of Veeraswamy, the Regent Street restaurant regarded as London’s oldest surviving Indian establishment. Its lease expired in June, but protected tenancy rights have allowed it to continue operating while it challenges the Crown Estate’s plan to refurbish Victory House. A court hearing is expected next year. For now, Veeraswamy approaching its 100th anniversary since opening in 1926 remains open as industry leaders call for efforts to preserve its historic location.