Tharavadu, in Mill Hill, took the city by storm when it first opened by five friends in 2014 and love for the Keralan restaurant has just grown over the decade.
Co-founder Siby Jose said the team behind the restaurant could never have imagined the heights they would reach.
Early expansion, celebrity visits and many awards later, including Best Indian Restaurant in 2015 and Chef of the Year in 2024 by the Oliver Awards, the last ten years has been a whirlwind for the independent business.
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7. Inside Tharavadu
The South Indian restaurant scooped many awards in its first few year of opening including Best Indian Restaurant at the Oliver Awards in 2015. | Tony Johnson/National World Photo: Tony Johnson
8. Inside Tharavadu
It has achieved many other remarkable milestones. Celebrities such as Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma have dined at the Mill Hill restaurant a number of times, calling it their favourite in the city. | Tony Johnson/National World Photo: Tony Johnson
9. Inside Tharavadu
A remarkable moment for the restaurant was when the entire Indian cricket team and their families chose to mark the special Indian harvest festival Onam at Tharavadu. | Tony Johnson/National World Photo: Tony Johnson
10. Inside Tharavadu
Head Chef Ajith Kumar is pictured at work in April 2022. Ajith proudly won Chef of the Year at the Oliver Awards 2024. | Simon Hulme/National World Photo: Simon Hulme
11. Inside Tharavadu
Tharavadu has been a hit with Leeds local since it first opened. Siby recalls how the new restaurant was fully booked on the weekend after a few days of opening and before long, Tharavadu has to turn people away. | Tony Johnson/National World Photo: Tony Johnson
12. Inside Tharavadu
Tharavadu opened as a 70-cover restaurant, but expanded early to welcome about 120 customers comfortably in its Mill Hill venue. | Tony Johnson/National World Photo: Tony Johnson