Grubshack Dubai Shuts Down, Founder Suffers Heart Attack

Dubai’s beloved Indian restaurant, Grubshack, has closed its doors after over a decade of serving soulful Goan and Bombay-style cuisine — and the emotional toll has been profound. Founder Gemma Mascarenhas, the Indian-origin woman behind the restaurant’s journey, suffered a heart attack shortly after its shutdown.

According to Gulf News, Gemma was rushed into emergency surgery but is now in stable condition. Her daughter, Marushka Coelho, shared, “By God’s grace, she’s stable now, but it was a frightening reminder of how much she’s been carrying on her shoulders — especially over the last month.”

Founded in 2012 as a 12-seater eatery in Sharjah, Grubshack quickly won hearts with its home-style Goan flavours. “People drove down from Abu Dhabi just for takeaways,” Marushka recalled, noting how diners often waited outside for hours.

In 2016, Grubshack opened a larger outlet in Dubai’s Health Care City, built to feel like home. With guitars, old window frames, and mismatched furniture, the space offered more than food — it offered nostalgia.

But the pandemic hit hard. After bringing in investors in 2019, Grubshack lost momentum during the long COVID closure. Despite reopening, financial recovery remained elusive. Staff had to be let go, and the family finally shuttered the restaurant on June 30, 2025.

For Gemma, it was more than a business — it was her dream, her second home. “To see it shuttered shattered something inside her,” said Marushka.

Still, the story may not be over. Marushka is determined to revive Grubshack. “This is our heart project now,” she said. “We’re open to investment, collaborations, or simply anyone who believes in what Grubshack stood for.”

Grubshack may be down, but not out — and its legacy continues to inspire.