City of magic, city of rickshaws, city of mosque — Dhaka has been called many names. And with about 25,000 restaurants scattered all over the city, it might not be called the city of restaurants, but would it really be a misnomer? Casual questions aside, quite a number of those restaurants are located on rooftops. And as you might be well aware, DSCC has issued a notice towards all restaurants under its jurisdiction.
In a notice published on 28 April, Dhaka South City Corporation has revoked the trade licences of restaurants operating without proper approval. The notice also addressed rooftop restaurants and the issue of public safety.
What people are saying
The notice was an instant topic of discussion, especially amongst those who dine out frequently.
"I'm a bit confused by it. I agree with the decision to shut down unsafe buildings and restaurants. But I am not sure what to think about the decision regarding rooftop restaurants. Surely, there are a lot of rooftop restaurants that follow the safety protocols, right?" asked Amina Shahreen, a Dhanmondi resident who frequently goes out for dinner.
"I love the open space. So, it would be a bummer if they closed down all of them," she added.
Belal Hossain, a banker from Aftabnagar, also had similar views. "I'll be honest. I enjoy rooftop restaurants, and if I had a choice, I'd always pick the rooftop restaurant with all other things being equal. There is one near my home and I go there with my wife often. I love how it looks over this open space, and in the distance, you can see the sky as well as this water body. And the open air makes it so much better," he recalled his latest rooftop experience.
"For around Tk 1,000, I can get dinner for two and a place to hang out for an hour with this aesthetic surrounding. For me, rooftop restaurants are more appealing because of the aesthetics rather than the food," he acknowledged.
The restaurant industry
According to the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners' Association (BROA), restaurants across the country are employing about 30 lakh people, with about two crore people being either directly or indirectly linked to the industry.
"We've had a meeting with DSCC, and we are seeking to reach a solution through mutual understanding," said Imran Hassan, Secretary General of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners' Association (BROA). "The notice was sudden. We had no idea about it whatsoever. Without any prior notice or consultation, it's a blow to the business," he added.
According to BROA, the restaurant industry is difficult on its own with its requirement of numerous licences and approvals. COVID was a huge blow, and even though it has been a while, the recovery was a challenging one. In addition, the sales fall whenever there are blockades and so on. And getting loans is also a challenge, which can make it difficult to run a business.
"Whether you are an office goer or just out for another reason, thousands and thousands of people dine out every day. So, you can imagine how important this industry is. And there is potential, too. But we really need more support from the authorities," emphasised Imran Hassan.
Rooftop restaurants have been growing in popularity over the last few years. For many, it's really about spending some quality time under the open sky with the availability of food. DSCC's concern about public safety is no light matter either. Hopefully, the involved authorities and institutions can reach a decision that is safe and beneficial for the public.
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