40% Restaurants In Delhi’s Khan Market Shut Down

The Khan Market in Delhi has been home to a large number of chic and cosy cafes and restaurants. However, unable to cope with the financial difficulties after COVID-19 lockdown, around 40% of these eateries have closed their doors. The list includes popular eateries like Smoke House Delhi, Cafe Turtle, Sidewok, Smokeys BBQ & Grill and many more. Due to the pandemic scare, the restaurants have seen a drastic drop in the number of customers. Without the support of the landlords and the government, their survival has become a major challenge.

40% Restaurants Close Down Permanently In Delhi’s Khan Market

Nearly 40% of restaurants in Delhi’s Khan Market have shut down, owing to financial crunch. The primary reasons behind the shutting down of these restaurants are high rentals in the Khan Market area, reduction in working hours, especially after the enforcement of night curfew and decrease in the number of daily customers. As per reports, Navneet Kalra, owner of Town Hall and Khan Chacha in Khan Market, informed that the restaurants had received only 15 to 20 percent of customers in the first two days, after the state allowed all restaurants to reopen on 8th June, 2020. He also added that the coronavirus-induced phase has been the toughest for the restaurant industry.

Smoke House Deli, popular for delish English breakfasts, had four outlets in Delhi in Connaught Place, Vasant Kunj, Khan Market and DLF Avenue, Saket. But unfortunately, the next time you visit Khan Market, you won’t be able to savour its hazelnut pancakes, smoked salmon or Spanish omelettes. The lock on its door is permanent. Sidewok had been offering delectable Pan-Asian cuisines since the last 16 years. They too had to pull their shutters down permanently.

Prior to lockdown, Khan Market was ranked as the 20th most expensive retail market in the world.

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What Else?

The iconic book cafe, Full Circle Bookshop and Cafe Turtle had opened up its outlet in Greater Kailash-1 about a month ago. It had also started home delivery of books. But the first outlet of this bookstore-cum-cafe had come up in Delhi’s Khan Market in the year 1998. And it had been a paradise for book lovers. The news of its closure in Khan Market has saddened many regulars.

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While some restaurants in the Capital have started their delivery services, there are many others who have faced acute losses, with businesses being absolutely shut. In fact, the pandemic has been a blow to most industries worldwide including travel, aviation and hospitality. Let’s all pray together for the world to recover from the crisis soon and the businesses to flourish all over again.