Panahar Bangladeshi Cuisine closes its doors on Buford Highway after 20 years

Dishes like Channa Masala are popular at Panahar Restaurant.

Credit: AJC Staff

Credit: AJC Staff

Dishes like Channa Masala are popular at Panahar Restaurant.

Longtime Buford Highway restaurant Panahar Bangladeshi Cuisine has closed its doors after nearly two decades.

The restaurant announced the closure on its Facebook page:

Thank You Atlanta for wonderful 20 years you helped us stay in business. As of now, Panahar will be permanently closed.

We had the same chef/owner since the year 2000, and we would like to thank him for his dedication and all of our staffs throughout the years. We had numerous repeating guests, guest that came and celebrated for their birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, dates, and in any other nights.
Our highlights years were from 2004-2014, it was super busy, we were featured in Food Network, AJC Newspaper, and other articles. Overall, Thank you everyone that supported the restaurant from the 20 year span. We greatly appreciate the memories you spent with us, Atlanta......and our guest that came all around the world for the last 20 years. Thank you.

-Panahar

The restaurant, originally called Panahar Indian Cuisine, was opened by Mokles Bhuyina, who came to the United States in 1978 and served both Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine. Panahar was purchased later that year by Mirza Chowdhury, a former maitre d' at the now-shuttered Abbey in Midtown and food and beverage director of the Georgia World Congress Center, who changed the menu to focus strictly on Bangladeshi food.

The menu boasted fish, lamb, chicken, beef, goat and vegetables, all of which can be prepared and adjusted to suit a customer's palate.

Panahar is the latest metro Atlanta restaurant to close during the coronavirus pandemic, joining Cacao Cafe in Virginia Highland, Donquixote as reported by Atlanta Magazine and Blaxican in Peachtree Corners as reported by Eater Atlanta. 

The AJC has reached out for comment on Panahar’s closure.

RELATED: