Bush shock for Ottakring: Royal Bombay Palace reports bankruptcy!

Bush shock for Ottakring: Royal Bombay Palace reports bankruptcy!

Ottakring, Wien, Österreich - The popular Royal Bombay Palace restaurant in Ottakring, Vienna, filed for bankruptcy on May 15, 2025. The restaurant was opened in 2019 and quickly developed into an insider tip for lovers of North Indian cuisine. The founders Richie Randhawa and Avtar Shashia wanted to create a modern restaurant with their concept without the common clichés and offered the guests a diverse selection of dishes, including butter chicken and homemade Naan as well as vegetarian specialties.

In addition to the classic menu, the restaurant relied on "Richi’s Streetfood", which Take-Away dishes offered. Despite consistently positive reviews and an appealing wine list, which both Austrian and international wines presented, the economic success of the Royal Bombay Palace failed to materialize. The Vienna Commercial Court now opened a bankruptcy proceedings against Royal Bombay Palace Vienna Restaurant GmbH, which indicates the continuing problems in the catering trade.

growing pressure on gastronomy

The bankruptcy is not just a single matter of the Royal Bombay Palace. Rather, it reflects an increasing problem in the industry. According to Kosmo , the catering insolvencies in Austria almost doubled in the first quarter of 2025, especially for small and medium-sized companies. Particularly high energy and personnel costs as well as the long-term economic effects of corona pandemic contribute to the pressure on numerous restaurants.

The number of corporate bankruptcies is increasing throughout Austria, which also focuses on the report from the Royal Bombay Palace. While the registration deadline for the creditor's claims can be submitted to the KSV1870 by July 2, 2025, it remains unclear whether there will be a renovation plan for the restaurant. The restaurant was very popular with locals and tourists and was an integral part of the Viennese gastronomy scene.

tendencies in the hospitality industry

The situationatic challenge with which the Royal Bombay Palace is confronted stands for a general trend in the hospitality industry. More and more gastronomic companies are forced to register bankruptcy. The opening of the bankruptcy procedure not only has an impact on the employees, but also affects the diversity of the culinary landscape in Vienna.

( Oe24 reported on the circumstances around the bankruptcy, while Orf responds to the broader implications of this trend.)