Owner Euan Sey says a downturn in trade due to the cost of living crisis and the ‘soaring costs of doing business’ are also factors behind the restaurants closure.
Curry Leaf Cafe launched in Brighton’s The Lanes in 2014 offering Indian street food dishes alongside craft beer at a time when a number of operators were reappraising Indian cuisine.
Other ‘new wave’ Indian restaurant formats to launch around the time include London’s Kricket and Gunpowder.
A former journalist, Sey launched Curry Leaf Cafe with former The Chilli Pickle chef Kanthi Thamma but he left a few years in and is now one of the chef’s behind Brighton’s Palmito restaurant.
Sey has expanded the Curry Leaf Cafe brand over the years with pub kitchens in Brighton and Worthing, a kiosk in Brighton Station and an Indian small plates restaurant in Brighton’s Kemptown area but only the original restaurant on Ship Street remains.
“It is with great regret that we announce the closure of our Brighton Lanes restaurant this week. We’ve absolutely loved serving South Indian street food and craft beer to the good people of Brighton and beyond this past decade,” Sey says.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our fantastic team, who’ve gone above and beyond so many times, and the brilliant Sussex breweries and other suppliers who’ve provided us with everything from our meat, veg, wines and spirits, to takeaway packaging and food recycling services.”
“We’re going to take some time to reflect on the brand’s future, but very much hope this won’t be the end of the Curry Leaf Cafe story.”