Popular Pitshanger Lane Indian Restaurant Closes


Prince William had ordered takeaway from Samrat to Kensington Palace

Samrat's owner celebrates improved hygiene rating with Cllr Louise Brett
Samrat's owner celebrates improved hygiene rating with Cllr Louise Brett. Picture: Ealing Council

March 18, 2025

One of Ealing’s longest established restaurants appears to have closed without warning.

Samrat Indian on Pitshanger Lane has not opened for some time and is marked as permanently closed on Google. We have not been able to make contact with management to confirm and there was no sign of activity when we visited the premises.

Established under the present ownership in December 2007, by Shafrul Islam it gained considerable recognition, in part because footballer Peter Crouch, who grew up nearby, has spoken fondly of it on his podcast. Prince William had a curry delivered from Samrat to Kensington Palace when he was a guest on the podcast in 2020. According to the Prince, the delivery driver left a leaflet just in case William wanted to order through them again.

Prince William with poppadums from Samrat
Prince William with poppadums from Samrat

The restaurant has also been featured in the 2023 London Curry Awards, however earlier that year it received a 1-star hygiene rating from Ealing Council. By May 2023, after working closely with local food safety officers, Samrat rose to a 5-star rating, and was awarded Ealing Council’s “High Five” award in October 2023 for this rapid improvement.

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