'It’s a proud moment for Leeds': Kerala Canteen wins top South Indian food award

A Leeds restaurateur and former MasterChef UK contestant said it was a “proud moment for Leeds” after his restaurant was crowned the best South Indian restaurant in the North this week.

Kerala Canteen, on St Peter’s Place, was awarded Best South Indian Restaurant of the Year at the Indian Restaurant Summit & Honours 2026 - North UK Edition.

Masterchef UK quarterfinalist and founder Bobby Geetha and chef Abdulla Khader accepted the award on behalf of the restaurant at the gala ceremony at The Edwardian Manchester on Monday (September 21).

Speaking after receiving the award, Mr Geetha said: “India doesn’t have one cuisine.

“Every region has its own ingredients, traditions, techniques and food culture. Kerala has an incredible culinary heritage, particularly around seafood, coconut, spices, black pepper, curry leaves and slow-cooked meats.

“When we created Kerala Canteen, we wanted to give people in Leeds an opportunity to discover that food properly, while also making it feel relevant to the city we call home.”

He also attributed the win to Leeds, praising the city’s reputation as one of the UK’s major food cities.

“It’s a huge moment for us and for everyone who works at Kerala Canteen,” he said.

“Chef Abdulla and the whole kitchen team work incredibly hard every day, and this award belongs to them as much as it does to me.

“But I also think it’s a proud moment for Leeds.

“We’ve built Kerala Canteen here because we believe Leeds diners are curious and open-minded. They don’t just want the same version of Indian food they’ve had before. They want to discover something different.

“To be recognised for South Indian cuisine in a room filled with some of the leading people in Indian hospitality is something we’re incredibly proud of.”