Business Details
22 Years
experience
Award-Winning South Indian Cuisine in the UK
Kayal Restaurant stands as a pioneering force in authentic Kerala seafood cuisine across the UK, operating since 2004 with locations in Leicester, Nottingham, Leamington Spa, and West Byfleet. Recognised for culinary excellence, we have earned accolades including the Healthiest Restaurant Award and multiple regional and national restaurant of the year titles. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our use of fresh, authentic ingredients sourced to preserve Kerala's culinary heritage, offering both traditional seafood dishes and vegetarian options through our 'Kayal Restaurant's Herb' brand. The team, comprising chefs from Kerala, ensures every dish embodies the region's distinctive flavours while maintaining health-conscious preparation methods.With a legacy of innovation, we have expanded our reach through catering services, group dining experiences, and a curated product line, while maintaining our core philosophy of delivering exceptional South Indian cuisine. Our reputation is built on over two decades of consistent excellence, evidenced by our numerous awards from institutions like The Times, BBC Good Food, and English Curry Awards, alongside continuous praise from platforms such as Tripadvisor and Harden's. This enduring success reflects our dedication to creating memorable dining experiences that celebrate Kerala's rich gastronomic traditions.
Services
South Indian Restaurant
Catering Services
Takeaway & Delivery
Group Dining
Kayal Restaurant's Herb Vegetarian Meals
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- Family-run since 2004 with four UK locations
- Multiple award-winner including BBC Good Food and English Curry Awards
- Health-conscious Indian cuisine with authentic Kerala ingredients
- Chefs directly from Kerala preserving traditional cooking methods
- Catering services for events and special occasions
What people say
Award-winning quality
Authentic Kerala flavours
Health-conscious preparation
Exceptional service
Multiple location convenience
Services
South Indian Restaurant
Our flagship offering presents authentic Kerala cuisine with a focus on seafood specialities. Dishes combine traditional preparation methods with health-conscious approaches, featuring fresh ingredients sourced to maintain regional authenticity. The menu showcases Kerala's unique culinary identity through mildly spiced, aromatic dishes that highlight local spices and cooking techniques.
Catering Services
We provide bespoke catering solutions for private events and corporate functions. Our team delivers Kerala's distinctive flavours through custom menus featuring both traditional seafood dishes and vegetarian options. This service extends our restaurant quality to venues across the UK, maintaining the same commitment to authentic preparation and presentation.
Takeaway & Delivery
Pre-order and takeaway options allow customers to enjoy our award-winning cuisine at home. The service maintains dish quality through careful packaging while preserving authentic flavours. Available across all locations, it offers the same menu breadth as our dine-in experience with convenient collection points.
Group Dining
Specialised group dining experiences accommodate larger parties with tailored menus and dedicated spaces. The offering combines Kerala's hospitality traditions with modern service standards, featuring curated tasting menus that showcase regional specialities while accommodating dietary preferences.
Kayal Restaurant's Herb Vegetarian Meals
This dedicated vegetarian brand extension offers plant-based Kerala dishes without compromising authenticity. The menu features traditional recipes adapted using seasonal vegetables and legumes, maintaining the region's signature spice profiles and cooking methods while catering to non-seafood preferences.
People
Jays Mathew
Founder
Established Kayal Restaurant in 2004, bringing Kerala's culinary traditions to the UK. Under his leadership, the restaurant group has won multiple national awards while maintaining its commitment to authentic South Indian cuisine.
Chef Sachin Vattapoyil
Head Chef
Trained in Kerala's traditional cooking methods, Chef Sachin leads our kitchen team in preserving authentic flavours. With over 15 years of experience, he ensures every dish maintains regional authenticity while meeting modern quality standards.
Chef Mary Jemna Rejo
Senior Chef
Specialising in Kerala vegetarian cuisine, Chef Mary brings expertise in plant-based South Indian dishes. Her work forms the foundation of our Kayal Restaurant's Herb vegetarian brand extension, maintaining traditional preparation techniques.
Chef Manu Vattappilil
Executive Chef
With extensive experience in UK hospitality, Chef Manu oversees menu development and quality control across all locations. He combines Kerala's culinary heritage with contemporary presentation standards to maintain our award-winning reputation.
Chef Sibin Baby
Pastry Chef
Specialises in traditional Kerala desserts and breads. Chef Sibin's expertise in regional sweet-making techniques and fermentation processes ensures authentic accompaniments to our main courses, preserving centuries-old preparation methods.
Questions
What makes Kayal's cuisine unique?
We specialise in authentic Kerala seafood dishes using traditional preparation methods and fresh regional ingredients, offering both classic and health-conscious Indian dining options.
Where are Kayal's restaurants located?
We operate in Leicester, Nottingham, Leamington Spa, and West Byfleet, with consistent menu quality and service standards across all locations.
What awards has Kayal won?
We've received multiple accolades including BBC Good Food Awards, English Curry Awards, and The Times' Top 20 Restaurants recognition, maintaining consistent excellence since 2004.
Do you offer catering services?
Yes, our bespoke catering extends Kerala cuisine to private and corporate events across the UK, featuring both seafood specialities and vegetarian options.
Is parking available at your locations?
All locations have nearby parking options with detailed information provided on our website for each restaurant's specific area.
Do you have vegetarian options?
Our Kayal's Herb brand offers authentic vegetarian Kerala dishes, maintaining traditional preparation methods while excluding seafood ingredients.
Reviews (4)
Nick Westby
Jan 26, 2022
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Excellent food and friendly service. Recommended by Ainsley Harriet who knows about food. Reasonable prices too. Covid aware too.
Aniruddh Borkar
Dec 30, 2021
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One of the finest Indian restaurants in Leicester. Flawless customer service, speedy order and finger lickin' food can vouch for its credibility. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to experience the Indian cuisine at its truest potential.
Vivek K.
Dec 21, 2021
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Kitchen closes at 4. We reached at 2:30. Staff was happy to accommodate us. Ordered thalassery biriyani. awesome . No long waiting time. Satisfied
Ganesh Kanhangad
Oct 30, 2021
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Taste was good. We had chicken curry with appam which was quite good. Chapati could have been better. Had variety of drinks as well. Interiors were good.
