Birmingham's Award-Winning Itihaas Restaurant Enters the Market After Two Decades
One of Birmingham's most celebrated fine-dining establishments, the Indian restaurant Itihaas, has been officially listed for sale following an impressive 21-year tenure in the city centre. Located on Fleet Street, the restaurant is being offered with an asking price of £1,250,000, presenting a significant opportunity for hospitality investors or operators.
A Journey from Humble Beginnings to National Acclaim
Founder Raj Rana launched Itihaas in January 2005 with no prior experience as a restaurateur, yet his vision quickly garnered recognition. Within just two years, the restaurant was honoured as the Best UK Restaurant at the prestigious Cobra Good Curry Awards. Raj's innovative approach involved sourcing artefacts from Jaipur and Rajasthan to model the eatery after an Indian museum, offering diners an immersive historical experience alongside authentic cuisine.
Raj Rana reflected on this chapter, stating, "After 21 incredible years, Itihaas has been one of the greatest journeys of my life. I will be sad to close this chapter at this location but at the same time excited about the new journey ahead."
Accolades and High-Profile Engagements
Over the years, Itihaas accumulated numerous accolades, including Raj being named Newcomer of the Year for Ethnic Food and Drink at the Best in Britain Awards in 2005, and the restaurant winning Best Newcomer in the West Midlands at the British Curry Awards in 2006. The venue also became a favoured location for television productions, hosting filming for Michael Portillo's railway documentary series, appearances on Brides on a Bus, and sessions with renowned chef Michel Roux Jr for the BBC programme Service.
Raj's contributions extended beyond the restaurant, as he founded the charitable initiative Let’s Feed Brum in 2016, providing meals to Birmingham's homeless community. His impact was nationally recognised with an invitation to a Buckingham Palace reception hosted by Her Majesty the Queen in 2008.
Transition to a New Hospitality Venture
Raj is now departing Birmingham to channel his extensive hospitality experience into an ambitious new hotel project in his home county of Worcestershire. This venture will include a restaurant and wedding banqueting operation, marking the next stage for the Itihaas family.
"My team and I are preparing for the next stage of our hospitality journey as we move into a new hotel venture," Raj explained. "Running a hotel with an on-site restaurant and wedding banqueting operation is a significant undertaking, but my team and I have been preparing for this transition for some time. We are highly motivated and excited about the next chapter."
Sale Managed by Christie & Co
The sale is being handled by James Dodd at Christie & Co, who emphasised the rarity of such an opportunity. "Itihaas is one of Birmingham’s most recognisable and longest standing Indian dining institutions," he said. "With more than two decades of awards, heritage and loyal patronage, opportunities of this calibre rarely become available. The restaurant’s strong trading performance, beautifully presented interiors, and established reputation make it an appealing proposition for a wide range of operators."
The property is listed for the virtual freehold at £1,250,000, with offers also invited for the leasehold. Further details regarding Raj's new location are expected to be announced in due course, as Birmingham bids farewell to a culinary landmark that has defined fine Indian dining in the city for over two decades.
