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Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Portobello restaurant celebrates 20 years with massive free buffet
An Edinburgh restaurant welcomed 400 people through the door as it celebrated 20 years of business. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Bonoful in Brighton Place, Portobello opened its doors in 2005 and has been serving authentic Bangladeshi and Indian food ever since. It celebrated its milestone on Sunday, 22 June with a massive free buffet for customers. Sayad Miah, manager at the restaurant, said it was an opportunity to thank customers and local people for their support over the years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said: 'Some people came from the other side of town as well because their friends and family told them about the party here. We also invited local public services, like the fire brigade and local police officers because they give a service to the community, plus local primary schools all around here, and staff at the two secondary schools. We decided to give something back because without customer support, we cannot survive.' Preparation for the event started in the days leading up to the event, with the team at Bonoful taking shifts throughout the day as they had hundreds of patrons come through the door. Sayad said: 'It was a really tiring day because there was lots of food prepared. So that's why the staff were working overnight, because, as you know, Indian food takes time to prepare. So we have to work so many hours extra, especially our chefs, who work very hard to prepare the food. They started early and they did some preparation overnight and came in very early in morning.' Bonoful has been in business for 20 years. It thanked customers in late June. | Bonoful But it was worth it to see their customers appreciate their efforts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sayad added: 'We saw lots of people smiling and giving thanks to us all. At the same time, we thank them as well for giving us the opportunity to continue in a business.' Reflecting on 20 years in business Sayad said that things have changed in terms of those being able to eat out in the city. He said: 'We have found big changes on the business side because people used to come so often, but because of things like the economy and the cost of living crisis it is getting harder for everyone, so we don't see people coming every week like before. 'Especially after Covid it is all completely changed. Business is getting harder as well, but still, we're trying our best to carry on.' But Sayad said he 'hopes to be doing it all again in 20 years time'.
Edinburgh Live
25-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh restaurant gives hundreds of free meals to police, firefighters and locals
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A family-run restaurant in Edinburgh gave back to their local community on Sunday, giving out hundreds of free meals to their customers to commemorate 20 years of business. Bonoful Restaurant in the Portobello area of the city invited along their local customers, schools, police officers and firefighters for free food as a way to thank them for their support over the last two decades. Owner, Sayad Miah, told Edinburgh Live: "We tried to give something out to our local customers and local based people around the area. Personally, I handed out the cards to the local primary and secondary schools, and also I invited the local police station and also the fire brigade because they're giving service to the local community. "Some people turned upfrom other side of town as well, you know, because they heard from their friends and stuff. So it's quite a lot, around 400 people turned up." All the food on offer on Sunday, June 22, was completely complimentary, while drinks did have to be purchased. Sayad and his family wanted to find a way to thank their community. Over the years, they've worked hard to continue to serve high quality Indian and Bangladeshi food, without compromising quality or affordability and while they don't give out many deals or freebies, they wanted to give something back. Sayad continued: "Without the local customer support, we couldn't have survived that long, to be honest, because customers are coming to us and giving us business for the last 20 years. So why not. We're giving out a thank you for that to the local customer, you know." Customers could be lining the street on the day of the offer, with the restaurant open from 12pm to 9pm, serving buffet style food for the whole family. 50-year-old Sayad wanted to thank his supportive community and hopes that him and his family will be able to serve their community for many more years to come. He added: "Thank you for 20 years, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to give back and, and we will continue this business and we're hoping to do even more 20 years!"
