Last Updated on: 3rd November 2025, 03:44 pm
A celebrated Indian restaurant in London has avoided closure thanks to a swift intervention by restructuring specialists Coots & Boots, who secured the continuation of Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai.
Following their appointment on 9 October 2025, Duncan Coutts and Rupen Patel acted rapidly to stabilise operations, safeguard roles, and maintain the restaurant’s daily service. Working closely with new investors and the existing leadership team, they completed a timely and efficient sale that preserved the restaurant’s identity, its Michelin-recognised culinary offering, and its cultural presence in Fitzrovia.
The site at 79–81 Mortimer Street carries a remarkable heritage. Before Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai, it was home to The Gaylord, one of London’s earliest fine-dining Indian restaurants. First opening in the 1960s, it became known for introducing authentic Indian cuisine to the capital, attracting film icons and theatre-goers alike and securing a firm place in the city’s dining history.
Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai inherited this legacy and reimagined it for the modern palate, celebrating regional Indian cooking with seasonal British ingredients. Its calm, convivial dining room above contrasts with the atmospheric Bandra Bhai bar below — a playful nod to 1970s Mumbai nightlife, complete with velvet textures, dim lights, and vintage design details.
Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, the restaurant remains an example of how culinary tradition and contemporary creativity can be woven together.
When rising operational costs placed pressure on the business, Coots & Boots stepped in to steer the restaurant through a sensitive and carefully managed transition. Their approach ensured continuity of service, security for the existing team, and the successful completion of a sale to new owners dedicated to upholding the restaurant’s original vision.
“Our goal was simple – protect what makes Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai special: its people, its heritage, and its spirit,” said Duncan Coutts, Joint Administrator. “We’re proud to have guided a rescue that keeps a London institution thriving under new ownership.”
Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai will continue operating from its Fitzrovia location with its core team, signature dishes, and welcoming atmosphere intact. Plans are already in motion to enhance the Bandra Bhai bar experience, including new seasonal offerings, culinary collaborations, and live music programming. The result is not only a safeguarded institution, but a vibrant new chapter made possible by Coots & Boots’ decisive leadership.
