Free buffet at Royal Nawab to mark 30 years with free buffet

Restaurateur Abdul Rahman has invited all his loyal customers to a free buffet today, to mark the 30th anniverary of his Muswell Hill restaurant.

Rahman had never been to Colney Hatch Lane when he came to scope out a potential site for his first business in 1996. He was managing a restaurant in Wimbledon Village before, but it had had a dream from childhood to own his own business providing quality food and quality service to customers.

Abdul says he “fell in love” with the area and opened his neighbourhood restaurant serving authentic Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine to the people of Muswell Hill and Friern Barnet.

Rahman was told, “The people before you never made it work. They gave me six months, but luckily we survived all the hurdles because of our loyal customers.”

It had difficult times at the beginning. But the site where he opened the Taste of Nawab had seen a turnover of several restaurants in previous years.

But it has become a favourite among north London authors, musicians, broadcasters and artists.

Poet and children’s author Michael Rosen is a friend and ambassador of the restaurant, and various stars of EastEnders, Nicko the drummer from Iron Maiden, actors such as Ben Whishaw, and comics including Michael McIntyre have all enjoyed Abdul’s food. Local MP Catherine West is a customer and a supporter.

Abdul says: “Honestly I love serving the customers – everyone here is treated like a celebrity.”

Over the years he has coped with Brexit, the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis but he’s continued to donate meals to the community – support local school fairs, street festivals and charity events.

One of his customers was a journalist for the New York Times who wrote about his pandemic deliveries to the elderly in the newspaper.

“If anyone is ill or in trouble I will send over a meal.

“I have always believed in giving back to the community – the buffet is to thank the customers for the support over the last 30 years.

And over the years the bring-your-own-bottle restaurant amd tyakeaway has won numerous awards, including Time Out.

Abdul, who grew up in Angel, Islington, adds: “We are not a fancy restaurant but many customers who walk in say this is the best place we have ever been – we never compromise on quality and I am so grateful to all our wonderful customers who have supported us for the last 30 years, through good times and bad times.”

https://tasteofnawab.com