Singapore’s beloved Komala Vilas vegetarian restaurant may have reached the end of its nearly 80-year run at its flagship location, with a jewellery store set to take over the historic premises in Little India.
Ishtara Jewellery will open its second outlet at 76 to 78 Serangoon Road during the Deepavali season, according to a report by Tamil-language publication Tabla! cited by AsiaOne.
The development comes after months of uncertainty over the future of Komala Vilas, which has remained closed since Jan 19, 2026, with a notice stating that the restaurant was undergoing renovations.
For loyal customers who grew up eating at the establishment, the prospect of losing the landmark has sparked sadness and nostalgia.
Jewellery shop moves into a Singapore heritage landmark
Ishtara Jewellery’s owner, Parthiban Murugaiyan, said he felt fortunate to secure the premises, describing the location as auspicious and rich in heritage.
“I consider it an auspicious location, with a rich heritage and a special place in the hearts of many Singaporeans,” he told Tabla!, according to AsiaOne.
The jeweller’s first outlet is located at 111 Serangoon Road. The new store will expand its presence in Little India, a neighbourhood known for its Indian businesses, cultural landmarks and festive celebrations.
Its arrival, however, marks a major change for a site long associated with traditional South Indian vegetarian cuisine.
A restaurant that has served generations
Founded in 1947 by Murugiah Rajoo, Komala Vilas became one of Singapore’s best-known Indian vegetarian restaurants, serving dishes such as thosai, idli, vadai and biryani.
Over the decades, it developed a loyal following among residents, tourists and generations of families who returned for familiar food and memories.
The restaurant also attracted international attention in 2015, when former Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi there for a meal. The meeting became known as “dosa diplomacy”.
Komala Vilas was recognised as an SG Heritage Business, reflecting its place in Singapore’s cultural and commercial history.
Months of silence fuel speculation
The restaurant’s flagship premises were temporarily closed for renovations from Jan 19, but no reopening date was announced.
When The Straits Times visited the premises in March, there were no visible signs of renovation work. The closure notice remained on the shutters, leaving customers uncertain about whether the restaurant would return.
Its other outlet at 291 Serangoon Road has since been taken over by another Indian vegetarian restaurant, Vasanta Bhavan. Komala Vilas Sweets and Savouries, its shop selling sweets and snacks along Upper Dickson Road, has also closed permanently.
The planned jewellery store takeover adds to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the original restaurant brand.
‘Another part of childhood gone’
News of the planned takeover has prompted an emotional response from diners online, many of whom shared memories of visiting the restaurant with family members.
One commenter recalled eating there throughout childhood, describing the development as the loss of another part of their past.
Others expressed disappointment that a business with such a long history appeared to be disappearing without a clear explanation or announcement about its future.
For many, the concern goes beyond the closure of a restaurant. Komala Vilas represented a familiar part of Little India’s identity, connecting food, family traditions and Singapore’s multicultural heritage.
Will Komala Vilas ever return?
The planned opening of Ishtara Jewellery raises fresh questions about whether Komala Vilas will reopen at another location or continue operating elsewhere.
At the time of AsiaOne’s report, there was no confirmed announcement that the flagship restaurant would resume operations at its original premises.
While the jewellery store’s arrival signals a change for the historic site, the future of the wider Komala Vilas business remains unclear.
For longtime patrons, the prospect of losing the original restaurant is a reminder that even Singapore’s most familiar heritage businesses can face uncertain futures as neighbourhoods and commercial spaces evolve.
