The family are also set to open in Chester as well but said “Liverpool will always remain special to us”
The team at The Grand by Ikkayees Indian restaurant in Liverpool city centre
A family-owned restaurant business continues to grow across the North West, with two new venues planned for next year. The team behind The Grand by Ikkayees, located on Victoria Street in Liverpool’s Pride Quarter, has confirmed its latest expansion plans to the ECHO.
The business started just over a decade ago after a group of college students were deeply affected by their visits to a palliative care centre in Southeast Asia. There, they met a lively six-year-old girl named Kulsu and witnessed the strength of patients living with long-term illnesses.
These experiences inspired founder Fulaij Nelliyot, his brothers Shafrin and Muhammed Arafath, and their friends Shibili Latheef and Prabeesh Kumar Krishna to build a business that combined entrepreneurship with compassion.
Their idea eventually led to the opening of Ikkayees on South Hunter Street in 2020. Since then, the business has continued to grow, launching several sister venues across Merseyside, including Indo Curry on County Road and Wraps and Shakes in Tuebrook.
Towards the end of 2025, the group opened another venue inside Liverpool’s Grade II-listed Victoria Building, which dates back to 1882. Now, the family has confirmed to the ECHO that it has taken over the former House of Caesar building on Bold Street.
House of Caesar was opened in November 2025 by former phone shop worker Mohamad Abbar, from Bootle, and design engineer Daniel Ball. The restaurant is based in a former Midland Bank building, which previously housed Maracana Sport Bar.
Get the latest updates on where to go, what to do and what’s new across Merseyside and beyond by making us a preferred source. Click here to activate or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings.
Prabeesh told the ECHO: “The response we received from the Liverpool community exceeded our expectations. Over the years, the loyalty of our customers, the recognition and awards we have received, and the encouragement the local community have given us the confidence to take our business forward.
“We are currently undertaking extensive renovation work to create a welcoming and memorable dining experience on Bold Street.
“Growing from a small 30-seat restaurant to a 120-seat venue is something we are incredibly proud of, and we recognise that none of this would have been possible without the continued trust and support of our customers.
The team at The Grand by Ikkayees Indian restaurant in Liverpool city centre
“Liverpool has demonstrated to us that it is not only a city of opportunity, but also a city with a strong sense of community, where people genuinely support businesses that are willing to work hard and contribute positively.
“For us, this next chapter is about much more than opening a larger restaurant. It represents years of hard work, the dedication of our team, the trust of our customers and the kindness of a community that has made us feel welcome from the very beginning.”
Prabeesh also confirmed the original South Hunter Street premises will remain but will become a dedicated pure vegetarian Indian fine-dining restaurant.
Chefs at work in the kitchen in Ikkayees on South Hunter Street in Liverpool
He added: “We believe this will bring a distinctive dining experience to Liverpool while allowing us to retain the location where our UK journey first began.
“We have a new Ikkayees restaurant scheduled to open in Chester in February 2027. This marks another important step in our growth, and we are excited about the opportunity to introduce our food and hospitality to a new community.
“However, regardless of how far our brand grows, Liverpool will always remain special to us. It is the city that welcomed us, supported our first venture in the UK and gave us the confidence to believe in our ambitions.”
The Ikkayees menu is made up of a comprehensive exploration of Indian cuisine. To bring the menu to life, the brand dispatched a team to traverse all 28 states of India, engaging with regional chefs and delving into the diverse culinary practices and flavours characteristic of each locale.
The offerings available at the restaurants are a direct result of the extensive journey. Guests can enjoy a variety of dishes, including street food, aromatic biryanis, coastal seafood specialities and curries from both Northern and Southern India.
Dining and Cooking