The Curry Lounge, a once-popular Indian restaurant in Nottingham, UK, gained national attention after appearing in Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares Season 5. The episode aired on December 11, 2007, and showcased Gordon Ramsay’s efforts to turn around the struggling establishment.
Despite a successful relaunch, the restaurant ultimately closed in 2018. This article explores what happened before, during, and after the show, shedding light on the fate of The Curry Lounge and its owner, Arfan Razak.
Is The Curry Lounge Still Open or Closed?
As of 2025, The Curry Lounge is permanently closed. The restaurant shut down in 2018, nearly eleven years after Gordon Ramsay’s intervention. While the makeover initially brought renewed success, financial challenges and a change in ownership led to its downfall.
The location later reopened under new management as Tandoor Restaurant and Bar.
What Happened in the Show Kitchen Nightmares?
In Season 5, Episode 7 of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay visited The Curry Lounge in Nottingham to rescue the struggling Indian restaurant. Despite its extravagant £500,000 Bollywood-style makeover, the restaurant was facing severe financial losses, and owner Arfan Razak (Raz) was struggling to turn things around.
During his visit, Ramsay uncovered several major issues:
- An Overcomplicated Menu – The restaurant offered a create-your-own-curry concept, which confused customers and overwhelmed the kitchen.
- Poor Food Quality – Many dishes relied on frozen ingredients, leading to bland, inauthentic flavors.
- Lack of Teamwork – A clear disconnect between the front-of-house and kitchen staff created tension and inefficiency.
- Financial Troubles – The business was losing £3,000 per week, putting it at risk of closure.
How Did Gordon Ramsay Try to Fix The Curry Lounge?
To revive the restaurant, Ramsay implemented several key changes:
- Simplifying the Menu – He eliminated the confusing DIY curry system, replacing it with authentic, high-quality Indian dishes.
- Boosting Morale with Team Building – He arranged a cricket match to improve relationships between staff members.
- Introducing a Tiffin Lunch Service – A new tiffin-style lunch menu was launched, allowing customers to sample different curries in a convenient format. This idea was an instant success, selling out within minutes.
- Bringing in a Top Indian Chef – Michelin-starred Alfred Prasad mentored the kitchen staff to improve food quality.
Following these changes, The Curry Lounge saw immediate improvements, with better food, happier staff, and a successful relaunch. The episode ended on a positive note, with Raz appearing optimistic about the restaurant’s future.
However, as history would later show, these changes weren’t enough to ensure The Curry Lounge’s long-term survival.
What Happened After Kitchen Nightmares?
Following Ramsay’s intervention, The Curry Lounge enjoyed a period of success, even receiving a commendation at the 2009 British Curry Awards. However, despite this recognition, the restaurant faced ongoing financial struggles.
The Sale and Closure of The Curry Lounge
- In 2015, Raz sold the restaurant, stepping away from the business.
- By 2018, The Curry Lounge closed permanently, and the premises were later reopened as Tandoor Restaurant and Bar.
What Happened to The Curry Lounge’s Owner, Arfan Razak?
Raz’s story took a darker turn after leaving the restaurant industry.
In 2017, he was convicted of tax fraud, failing to pay £45,000 in VAT and falsely claiming £20,000 in tax repayments. The Nottingham Post reported that he avoided imprisonment by agreeing to repay £64,741.54 in total.
Final Thoughts – Why Did The Curry Lounge Fail?
While The Curry Lounge initially thrived after Kitchen Nightmares, its long-term survival was undermined by:
- Financial mismanagement
- A lack of consistent leadership
- Legal troubles for the owner
Even with Gordon Ramsay’s guidance, the restaurant ultimately could not sustain its success, leading to its closure.
Would The Curry Lounge Have Survived Today?
With Nottingham’s growing restaurant scene and the rise of modern Indian cuisine, The Curry Lounge might have thrived had it maintained Ramsay’s recommended improvements. However, without strong financial discipline and a dedicated leadership team, even the best restaurants struggle to survive in a competitive market.
