For almost a decade, Sham Mahabir has been on a mission to convey the flavours, tradition and spirit of Trinidad and Tobago to London. By LIMIN, he has launched 1000’s of individuals to the true which means of “liming” whereas creating areas the place Caribbean meals, music and neighborhood might come collectively within the coronary heart of the capital.
As LIMIN prepares to shut its South Financial institution house on Friday 26 September, many will replicate on a rare journey that started with a small market stall and grew into one of many UK’s most celebrated Caribbean hospitality manufacturers. But for Mahabir, this second is just not an ending. It’s the starting of a brand new chapter.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
LIMIN’s story began in 2018 as a pop-up at Previous Spitalfields Market. Based by Sham Mahabir and James Togut, their imaginative and prescient was easy: share genuine Trinidadian meals and create a welcoming house that embodied the Caribbean custom of bringing individuals collectively by means of meals, drink and dialog.
The idea rapidly gained a loyal following. Dishes equivalent to doubles and curry goat launched new audiences to Caribbean flavours whereas offering a style of house for individuals from throughout the area. Inspired by the success of the pop-up, the workforce got down to discover a everlasting house for the model.
FROM POP-UP TO DESTINATION
That chance arrived in 2020 when LIMIN opened at Gabriel’s Wharf on London’s South Financial institution. Launching throughout the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic required braveness and dedication, however the transfer in the end remodeled the enterprise. The riverside venue turned way more than a restaurant. It advanced right into a cultural vacation spot the place meals, music and neighborhood got equal significance. Over time, LIMIN established itself as the one independently owned Caribbean restaurant in central London, attracting guests from throughout the UK and past.
CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN CULTURE
Below Mahabir’s management, LIMIN expanded far past the eating desk. The model helped set up Worldwide Doubles Day, and Mahabir started campaigning for the federal government of Trinidad and Tobago to call doubles because the nation’s nationwide dish, because it doesn’t at the moment have an official one. He additionally launched Threeways Rum, created the Jerk & Past Pageant and launched the LIMIN Mas Band to the Notting Hill Carnival panorama. These initiatives mirrored a wider ambition to have a good time Caribbean tradition and improve its visibility inside Britain’s cultural and culinary scene.
Over time, Soca Information has adopted many of those milestones, documenting LIMIN’s evolution from a market pop-up right into a nationally recognised model and highlighting Mahabir’s dedication to showcasing Trinidad and Tobago’s tradition by means of meals and hospitality.
AWARD-WINNING SUCCESS
The previous two years have introduced important recognition for LIMIN and its workforce. In 2025, LIMIN South Financial institution was named Finest Caribbean Restaurant on the UK Caribbean Meals Awards, a serious achievement for a enterprise that started as a small market enterprise.
The restaurant additionally obtained the Folks’s Selection Award for Restaurant of the 12 months on the Be Inclusive Hospitality Awards. For Mahabir, the honour represented recognition not solely of the meals but additionally of the neighborhood that helped construct the enterprise. He devoted the award to the Windrush Era, whose contributions paved the way in which for Caribbean entrepreneurs all through Britain.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The closure of the South Financial institution website marks the top of a landmark interval in LIMIN’s historical past. Nonetheless, the model’s journey is way from over.
Following its closing service, LIMIN will start a brand new section by means of a sequence of Market Halls places, beginning with Market Halls Victoria and increasing to different venues over the approaching yr. The transfer will enable Mahabir and his workforce to introduce the LIMIN expertise to new audiences whereas persevering with to share the meals, tradition and power which have turn into synonymous with the model.
For a lot of, Gabriel’s Wharf will at all times be remembered as LIMIN’s religious house. However the essence of liming has by no means been tied to a single venue. It lives within the individuals, the tradition and the connections created across the desk.
From its beginnings in Spitalfields to its award-winning success on the South Financial institution, LIMIN’s story is one among resilience, innovation and cultural pleasure. As one chapter closes, one other is about to start.
