I tried the exceptional South Indian restaurant serving some of the most exciting food in Leeds
This restaurant delivered on flavour 😋
Every so often, you visit a restaurant that has you planning your next meal before you've even left the table. Kerala Canteen is one of those places.
This beautiful restaurant is producing some of the most exciting food in the city. We visited on what appeared to be a relatively quiet evening, but after experiencing the food, service and atmosphere firsthand, it is difficult to understand why there would be any empty tables at all.
For those familiar with owner Bobby Geetha’s appearance on MasterChef: The Professionals, the quality of the cooking may not come as a surprise. What stood out throughout the meal was his clear understanding of flavour and spice. Every dish felt carefully considered, with bold flavours that never overwhelmed the ingredients themselves.
We began with poppadoms and Kerala Canteen's homemade sauces, which immediately showcased the kitchen's attention to detail. Beautifully balanced, packed with flavour and carrying just the right amount of spice, they set the tone perfectly. These were washed down with their unique IPA which they have crafted with Kirkstall Brewery - the perfect balance to the spice and flavours of the dishes yet to come.
The first highlight was the bone marrow and beef curry Yorkshire pudding finished with shaved cheddar cheese. Rich, indulgent and deeply comforting, a miniature version of the restaurant's Sunday roast.
Next, the Trivandrum fried chicken, inspired by Bobby's hometown. Crispy, flavourful and carrying a satisfying kick, it was perfectly matched with a cooling fried garlic and yoghurt sauce that brought everything together.
The larger plates arrived next, beginning with a beautifully cooked T-bone steak served alongside more of that exceptional beef curry and hasselback potatoes. The potatoes were perfect for mopping up every last bit of sauce, and the curry itself was so good that having more of it on the table felt like a bonus.
Alongside was a vegetable biryani that proved just how much flavour can be packed into a vegetarian dish, wonderfully seasoned and full of character.
The most memorable by far was the half roast chicken, smothered in spices and served with onion gravy and homemade parotta. The chicken was genuinely the most tender I can remember eating, while the rich gravy and flaky parotta made for a combination that was comforting and indulgent.
Despite the amount of food already consumed, dessert was never really optional. The Biscoff gulab jamun paired with ice cream struck a perfect balance between richness and sweetness, while the pistachio and pepper semifreddo was outstanding. The texture was the highlight here, soft and almost pillow-like, with crunch and sweetness providing contrast throughout.
As if the evening needed a final flourish, we were offered a sip of Macallan 12 on the house as me and a friend were celebrating our joint birthdays. It is a thoughtful touch that enhanced the overall dining experience, not that the meal itself needed any help.
From the attentive service to the exceptional food and remarkably reasonable pricing, Kerala Canteen delivered one of the most enjoyable meals I've had in Leeds this year.
I left already planning a return visit, and with that Sunday roast now firmly on my radar, I doubt it will be long.
Factfile
Address: 5 St Peter's Place, Leeds, LS9 8AQ
Telephone: 0113 873 0635
Opening hours: Mon, closed; Tues-Fri, 4.30pm-9pm; Sat, noon-9.30pm; Sun, noon-8pm
Website: www.keralacanteen.com
Scores
Food: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Service: 10/10