Popular Soho Indian Restaurant Bombay Bread Bar Is Closing in September

Popular Soho Indian restaurant Bombay Bread Bar is closing at the end of September, ending chef Floyd Cardoz’s three-year run in the space. Cardoz tells Grub Street that the finances weren’t working after January’s minimum wage increase, and that’d he’d rather close than “limp along.”

Cardoz originally opened Bombay Bread Bar as Paowalla in summer 2016, a well-reviewed restaurant that Eater critic called a “magical love letter to Indian bread.” After that, Cardoz pivoted to focus more on that bread bar — with stuffed naans, kulchas, bhel puri, paratha, and more on the menu — in the switch-up to Bombay Bread Bar in February 2018. The restaurant was immediately packed and still pulls in a decent crowd.

But Cardoz says it’s not enough, especially after January’s minimum wage increase. He reportedly tried to bring in other revenue streams, like from co-working service Spacious, and he ultimately couldn’t make it work. The restaurant will close at the end of September when its lease runs out.

Now Cardoz will focus on his new role at Estiatorio Milos and his two restaurants in India. Eater has reached out to Cardoz for more info.

• Chef Floyd Cardoz Will Close the Bombay Bread Bar [Grub Street]
• All Coverage of Bombay Bread Bar [ENY]