Késarum Indian Restaurant

This eatery is a must-visit, especially for those who lean on the vegetarian or vegan side and long for more than just the standard vegetable curry. Nestled in the vicinity of Southampton's vintage High Street, this dining spot is a hub for delicious vegetarian fare, with an emphasis on vegetables playing the star role in their dishes. The food we indulged in was nothing short of delectable, showcasing the brilliance of Indian cuisine. Highlights of our orders included the diverse aubergine dish prepared in five unique ways, satisfying korma paneer, and numerous other tempting selections. To top it all, the masala chai was heavenly. The establishment's service and meticulous emphasis on details throughout the décor are commendable.

Our visit to Késarum was in celebration of a birthday lunch. We were delighted by the generous servings and the delightful taste of the meals. As a voracious food enthusiast, my partner was quite taken aback by the impressively amazing meals. Remarkably, every dish is entirely plant-based and my usual craving for meat surprisingly wasn't triggered. I strongly suggest giving Késarum a try, and I am certain we will be returning.

The culinary offerings were simply out of this world, truly the finest Indian gastronomy I've experienced during my four-year residency in the UK. I'm eagerly anticipating my next visit to sample more from their diverse menu. In addition, my girlfriend, a native Brit, was equally enamored by all the dishes. It truly is a culinary delight that appeals to all palettes.

As someone allergic to cilantro, also known as "coriander" or "Chinese parsley" in Europe, I found it regrettable that most of the meals here include this ingredient already mixed in, which made me question the freshness claimed by the restaurant. The eatery appears to cater to vegetarians and vegans, I assume. A staff member whose name, I apologize, I believe could be Moresh, was incredibly accommodating and amiable. He went above and beyond to cater to the needs of myself and my companions. My memory isn't the best when it comes to names, but I recall ordering the second appetizer and the final main course offered. Both dishes came with a wine pairing and were sized for individual enjoyment, though two of the appetizers could easily have been shared amongst a group of four. However, the main dish was a tad more fiery than expected. I must admit, I wasn't wholly fond of the wine and food pairings; the robust flavors of the meals seemed to overwhelm the delicate wine tastes. Perhaps a more full-bodied wine would have resulted in a more satisfactory pairing. Nonetheless, the wines on their own were delightful, and the food was incredibly tasty. I'm eager to return and indulge in their cuisine and wines again, just not with the same pairings I previously chose. I feel the need to reiterate: the food was delectable. The fried cauliflower balls we were served initially were filling and enjoyable, especially with the adjustable spiciness provided by the pepper on the side of the plate and the peppers surrounding the balls. The second dish of fried cauliflower maintained a pleasant crunch, and the accompanying rosemary cream, which we received extra from the kitchen, was simply divine, a true culinary delight. Major kudos to your team for your adaptability and the sumptuous meal! I genuinely hope to run into you in Nashville :) However, I sadly see a need to reduce my rating to three stars because we unfortunately suffered from food poisoning as a result of our meal here.

On our return trip to Kesarum, we were reassured that it certainly wouldn't be our final visit. We were welcomed with open arms by Maresh, who quickly made us feel as if we were in our own home. Despite being a compact team of three operating the entire establishment - two in the kitchen, one in the dining area - their service was undeniably diligent, leaving no detail overlooked. Each dish served revealed a perfection in its delicacy and presentation, accompanied by superb wine selections. Maresh took the time to detail the composition of each dish as it was presented. Without hesitation, it's the finest vegan dining we've had in this region! The restaurant keeps things fresh by updating the menu several times throughout the year. They advise allocating 2 to 2.5 hours for a three-course meal – a suggestion we found to be spot-on, creating an unhurried and convivial dining setting.