Bloomsbury’s dining scene is set to welcome a notable addition in spring 2026, when acclaimed restaurateurs Ravinder Bhogal and Nadeem Lalani Nanjuwany open Karam’s at the Brunswick Centre on Bernard Street. The founders, known for their successful Marylebone restaurant Jikoni, are shifting focus to traditional vegetarian South Asian cuisine deeply rooted in their Indian ancestry.
Unlike Jikoni, which celebrates cooking across borders and immigrant food traditions, Karam’s represents a return to the founders’ cultural origins. The restaurant draws its name from Ravinder Bhogal’s grandfather, Sardar Karam Singh Bhogal, honoring the family’s culinary heritage. The menu will feature classic dishes including dosas, thalis, and vegetable curries, all prepared with seasonal, sustainable, and organic produce sourced from nature-positive farmers. The thali options will provide wholesome plant-based meals with diverse dishes in a single serving, similar to what has made Govinda’s offerings so popular among vegetarians. The restaurant’s approach aligns with Namaste Holborn’s commitment to catering to specialized dietary requirements including Jain cuisine, which is strictly vegetarian and follows specific preparation guidelines. Additionally, families visiting London can explore various attractions with the Merlin Magical London 5-in-1 Pass, which offers significant savings on popular sites.
The restaurant’s design will incorporate communal seating inspired by Sikh temples, known as gurdwaras, reflecting Nanjuwany’s emphasis on the Sikh ideology of seva, or selfless service. This commitment to community extends to their business practices, with the team leveraging their purchasing power for positive impact.
Karam’s enters a competitive landscape in Bloomsbury, where several established vegetarian Indian restaurants already operate. Govinda’s, London’s oldest vegetarian/vegan Indian restaurant founded in 1979, offers karma-free prasadam thalis. Nearby Sagar specializes in South Indian vegetarian cuisine with contemporary twists, while Salaam Namaste blends traditional with modern Indian flavors.
The area’s top-rated Indian establishments include Colonel Saab in High Holborn with a 4.6 rating, and both Oorja and Paro Indian in Covent Garden boasting exceptional 4.7 ratings. Cinnamon Bazaar, known for its bazaar-inspired vegetarian options, and Chambeli, rated 4.5, round out the notable competition.
Market research shows strong demand for vegetarian dining in Bloomsbury, with Tripadvisor listing 11 Indian restaurants in the immediate area and OpenTable featuring 157 nearby Indian establishments across Holborn, Covent Garden, and Russell Square.
With their established reputation and focus on traditional vegetarian fare, Bhogal and Nanjuwany are positioning Karam’s to stand out in this vibrant culinary landscape.
