The new addition has transformed a prime seafront spot.

“This opportunity was just too good to miss,” says the owner of the new addition to Sunderland seafront.

Sunderland businessman Taz Ahmed is opening a second restaurant on the seafront called Malabar | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — Sunderland businessman Taz Ahmed is opening a second restaurant on the seafront called Malabar | Sunderland Echo

Bringing a flavour of India’s Malabar coastline to the shores of Seaburn, Malabar opens its doors this week after a major £250,000 investment in the former Prego site in Dykelands Road.

The new Indian restaurant has been brought to the city by Sunderland businessman Taz Ahmed who already runs the popular Goa restaurant nearby.

Goa opened 14 years ago and has become a firm seafront favourite, but Taz says Malabar very much has its own identity, menu and offering.

One of two dining rooms, the first has a beachcomber aesthetic inspired by the location on the coast | Sunderland Echo

“I have known the landlord of this site for a very long time and he always said if he moved on from Prego he would offer it to me first,” explained Taz.

“It’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a restaurant: its own car park, a prime location and a massive venue. So when the time came for Prego to close, I grabbed the opportunity to take on the site with both hands.”

Taz and the team have spent the past three months completely transforming the site from top to bottom. The first bar / dining area as you walk into Malabar has a cool blue beachcomber aesthetic inspired by its location, with the main dining room also given an elegant makeover.

The main dining room at the new Malabar | Sunderland Echo

It’s one of the largest restaurant sites in the area, with 150 covers and space for 30 in the bar. There’s also plans to create a pool hall in the former games area.

Malabar opens its doors on Wednesday, August 12 and has already had hundreds of bookings.

“Since we’ve been doing the refurbishment, people have been knocking on the door and pressing their noses up against the window and every single day we get Facebook messages. So people are definitely excited about us opening,” added Taz.

The site has had a major makeover | Sunderland Echo

The restaurant, which has created 20 new jobs, will be open Tuesdays to Sundays and has a classic Indian and South Indian menu, as well as chef specialities and a happy hour offering.

Taz said he’s excited to be investing further in the seafront.

“Goa has gone beyond my imagination in what it’s achieved. I never thought a restaurant could do so well after all these years and I don’t want to disrupt Goa, which is why I’ve made Malabar very different. Each site has its own identity.

The new addition has transformed the former Prego at the bottom of Dykelands Road | Sunderland Echo

“People ask why I would open another restaurant on the seafront when I already have Goa, but if you’re going to invest money, where better to do it than a prime location like Seaburn?

“I didn’t want this site to go to someone else and always wonder ‘what if’. I’d rather take the chance and see where it takes me.”

*From August 12, Malabar will be open Tuesday to Friday from 5pm to 11pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 11pm. There is free parking for customers on site, but you must submit your car reg on entry.