Legendary Indian Cafe Devi Closes After 30 Years on RUDN Campus

In Moscow, about a week ago, the legendary Indian cafe Devi on the campus of the Russian University of Peoples« Friendship (RUDN) closed forever. MSK1.RU was told this by a representative of the establishment.

“There was an inspection, so they closed it. No, it will not reopen. There is another Indian restaurant nearby. And the owner is the same,” the establishment«s representative told MSK1.RU.

In 2017, the publication Afisha compiled a list of “13 cafes with Mexican, Indian, Lebanese, and Chinese food at RUDN” and included Devi. At that time, according to visitors, it was a “truly authentic Indian” place. Indian films were shown on TV, Indians sat at neighboring tables, and the place itself hadn«t changed for years. After some time, Chinese cuisine was added to the Indian menu.

The establishment operated for about 30 years. And, as visitors recounted, it was an inexpensive Indian cuisine restaurant on the RUDN campus with a modest interior and authentic food. No decorations, no conceptual presentations—just food.

In the comments of the Telegram channel «Opening and Closing of Moscow Restaurants,» visitors are mourning the closure of the legendary cafe. Some call the news of the closure a «mourning» and a «loss of a gathering place.»

“I was there three months ago, and it was still very tasty, the interior had just been updated, and it was full of guests. It seems they were kicked out,” a visitor said.

“This is truly an era… I was there a couple of times, and I was always too lazy to go back,” wrote another guest of the establishment.

2025 will be remembered for the mass closure of restaurants. MSK1.RU decided to commemorate the projects that did not survive this difficult year. At the same time, new establishments will open in the capital—read about them in our selection.