In this edition of Homegrown Tables, Naved Nasir, founder of Khadak, talks about keeping the doors open, supporting his team, and creating a space where guests can feel at ease

What made you decide to keep the restaurant open during this time?

People need places to go, and we felt a responsibility to stay open in a measured way. Restaurants are often spaces people turn to for a sense of normalcy, familiarity, and quiet comfort. Closing felt like it would add to the anxiety, and we wanted Khadak to remain a place where people can step in, slow down, and feel taken care of.

At the same time, it’s about our team – keeping the doors open means maintaining a sense of stability and continuity when it matters most. We’re here because our community has been here for us, and moments like this are when that relationship truly counts.

Restaurants are often places people turn to for familiarity and comfort. Have you noticed guests approaching dining out differently lately?

Yes, there’s definitely been a shift. Guests are approaching dining out more intentionally, staying longer, talking more, and ordering thoughtfully. It feels less transactional and more about being somewhere familiar. There’s a tenderness in how people are treating each other and our team, with more patience, more gratitude, and more genuine connection.

What’s really stood out is the appreciation for casual restaurants that feel like an extension of home, where you can come as you are. Support for local and homegrown brands has also become a meaningful pillar during these tense times. Overall, people seem to be seeking meals that offer both emotional and physical comfort, slowing down to enjoy flavours, space, and company.

Any shifts in orders – are guests gravitating toward dishes or flavours that feel more comforting or familiar?

Definitely. There’s a clear inclination towards dishes that feel comforting and grounding, flavours people recognise and trust. Comfort has taken precedence over experimentation, and we’re seeing guests return to what feels reassuring, both emotionally and physically. The same pattern reflects across our delivery channels as well. Even the way people are eating has shifted – it feels slower, more intentional. There’s more presence in the experience, more savouring than rushing.

Is there a dish on your menu right now that feels especially meaningful to you?

For me, the Guntur Butter Chicken feels especially meaningful. It’s familiar, comforting, and reassuring, the kind of dish that makes you feel at ease. In times like these, it’s nice to have something simple and honest on the table that brings people together and reminds you of home.

How are you and your team showing up for each other during this time? What steps or gestures help keep morale strong?

It starts with awareness and empathy. We’re making a conscious effort to check in with each other more, not just operationally but personally. We’ve also been having regular mood and well-being check-ins with the team, making sure everyone feels supported and taken care of. Keeping communication open, maintaining structure in the day, and creating a sense of stability have been important.

Sometimes, it’s even the smallest gestures, like shared chai pe charcha, where the kitchen, floor, and management teams sit together over tea and talk through what’s on their minds, simply being present and connected through conversation. Those moments often make the biggest difference.

What would you like to say to your community in the UAE at this moment?

First, I want to acknowledge what we’re all feeling – the fear, the uncertainty, the weight of not knowing what comes next. It’s real, and it’s okay to feel it.

Let’s stay grounded and look out for one another by choosing connection over isolation. This city has always been built on resilience and community, and moments like this remind us of that. It’s important to stay informed, but also to protect your sense of calm. Spend time with people you care about, be mindful of what you consume, and extend kindness wherever you can.

Find Khadak here. If you’re dining indoors, orders can be placed via delivery partners Deliveroo, talabat, or Careem.