Published Wed, Mar 18, 2026 \u00b7 02:49 PM<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n [SINGAPORE] Intense speculation surrounds the future of Komala Vilas, one of Singapore\u2019s most iconic Indian vegetarian restaurants, following a prolonged closure for \u201crenovations\u201d.<\/p>\n The brand\u2019s outlet at 76-78 Serangoon Road \u2013 which in 2015 hosted then Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi \u2013 has been shuttered for nearly two months.<\/p>\n On Facebook group Singapore Travel Tips and Plan, a Mar 9 post of the shuttered storefront sparked a discussion on whether the restaurant has shut for good. The post said: \u201cWas disappointed to discover that Komala Vilas in Little India has been closed for renovations since Jan 19 but is listed as open on Apple Maps. Sharing to help others avoid the same letdown.\u201d <\/p>\n In the same thread, another user said: \u201cSad to see the 70+ year old iconic legendary South Indian vegetarian restaurant has shut its doors after probably four generations of being family owned and operated.\u201d<\/p>\n On the restaurant\u2019s Google reviews page, customers have been posting regular updates to say the eatery has yet to reopen.<\/p>\n When The Straits Times<\/em> (ST) visited the flagship restaurant on Mar 17, a sign on the shutters said: \u201cWe are temporarily closed for renovation starting Monday, 19 Jan, 2026.\u201d The sign did not state when the restaurant would reopen.<\/p>\n Get the insights delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n However, there were no signs of any renovation works being carried out at the site.<\/p>\n In response to queries from ST and Tamil-language daily Tamil Murasu<\/em>, Rajakumar Chandra, former chairman and current adviser of the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (Lisha), said he was aware of the speculation about the restaurant. <\/p>\n \u201cIt has been over two months without any work being done. This is creating speculation and rumours on what is happening,\u201d he said, adding that multiple people have asked him what will become of the restaurant.<\/p>\n SEE ALSO<\/p>\n \u201cKomala Vilas is a longstanding heritage business,\u201d he added, saying that it was upsetting to see the restaurant shut for the past few months.<\/p>\n Komala Vilas Vegetarian Restaurant was established in 1947 by Murugiah Rajoo. It is now run by his grandson, Rajakumar Gunasekaran, 40.<\/p>\n Over the decades, it became a household name and a tourist attraction and famously hosted Lee and Modi in November 2015, an event that was described as \u201cdosa diplomacy\u201d.<\/p>\n Another diplomat to grace the outlet was Finland\u2019s Minister of Education and Culture Anders Adlercreutz, who was hosted by Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam for breakfast on Jan 18.<\/p>\n The restaurant is listed as an SG Heritage Business by the National Heritage Board (NHB), a title awarded to businesses that are the \u201cbackbone of Singapore\u2019s cultural landscape and provide time-honoured trades, goods or service\u201d.<\/p>\n ST contacted Rajakumar Gunasekaran for comment on Mar 17. In a text message at about 8.40 pm, he said: \u201cI\u2019m overseas right now. I\u2019ll get back to you at the end of the month.\u201d<\/p>\n When Tamil Murasu<\/em> contacted him previously, the restaurant owner had given the same response.<\/p>\n Employees of neighbouring restaurants, textile and jewellery shops also confirmed to ST that they had not heard or seen any renovation works going on at the site. <\/p>\n Some said the restaurant\u2019s patrons would wander into their shops sometimes, to ask when Komala Vilas would reopen. \u201cPeople are worried they will not open again; everyone likes the food there,\u201d said an employee of a nearby shop. <\/p>\n Its sweet shop, Komala Vilas Sweets and Savouries in Upper Dickson Road, was also shut and is listed as permanently closed online.<\/p>\n Attempts to contact someone in the main office, which is next to the sweet shop, were unsuccessful. <\/p>\n A check on another outlet that was at 291 Serangoon Road showed that the space has been taken over by another Indian vegetarian restaurant, Vasanta Bhavan. Two other outlets \u2013 one in Race Course Road and another in Buffalo Road \u2013 had closed some years earlier. <\/p>\n In response to queries from Tamil Murasu<\/em>, S Mahenthiran, honorary secretary of the Indian Restaurants Association (Singapore), said the association\u2019s \u201ccurrent understanding is that the outlet is undergoing renovation\u201d and it is looking forward to \u201cthe next chapter of their operations\u201d. <\/p>\n Lisha\u2019s Rajakumar Chandra said he was in close contact with the restaurant owner and described him as a man dedicated to carrying on the family business started by his grandfather. <\/p>\n The Lisha adviser, who is also the owner of Jothi Store and Flower Shop on Campbell Lane and vice-chairman of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said people should refrain from spreading rumours.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a community, everyone wants to see the place back in action,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n ST has contacted NHB for more information. 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