Kesarum in Southampton

Really lovely food, ambience, and service, with interesting wine pairings. Engaging blend of well presented dishes paired with eating things with your hands which stops it feeling too formal. Genuinely different recipes and ingredients. A relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere where licking the last of your delicious food from your fingers is encouraged not frowned upon!

We saw how highly rated this restaurant on TripAdvisor and as we were in the area we thought we would give it a shot! So glad we did! From the moment we walked through the door the customer service was kind and welcoming. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and the aromas from the kitchen emanate around the restaurant. As a keen carnivore I was hesitant about the vegetarian only menu, however I needn't have worried! The starter was out of this world, as was the main, being able to taste all the individual elements. The wine pairings were perfect, enjoying a delicious dry Italian Rosé with the starter and a gorgeous medium Riesling with my Rogan Josh main. Will definitely be back again!

Very surprising experience in unlikely surroundings. Beautiful food, wonderful service. The decor could do with some attention.

I can't believe I waited so long to try Késarum! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The food was stunning, the service was exemplary and the attention to detail in every aspect of the experience was cohesive and well thought through. I had the most delicious pani poori to start, with a gorgeous jaljeera (cumin water) that just sang with freshness. The celeriac main course was buttery and soft with so many complimentary flavours and textures. I could barely utter a sentence through the whole meal because it was so divine. I think the only full sentences I did manage to say were to tell the FOH how incredible it all was. The gulab jamun was a special highlight with the flavours of rhubarb and rose (which are my favourites) and a little palette cleanser at the end which was a super interesting flavour. I loved every moment of our time here, and I'm looking forward to revisiting often - especially to see the seasonal menu changes!!

Eating here was an incredible experience. We'd read the website and knew what to expect and were not disapointed. From the minute we walked in the host was full of passion for the food, how we enjoyed our experience and our wellbeing. Finding truly exceptional plant based food has been tricky but everything we had fell into the top end of that category. From the nibbles to the starters to the mains - it was all glorious. The atmosphere was tremendously relaxed, our wonder at the food being put in front of us was grand but watching everyone else be amazed by our food and then theirs as it came out was something else. From the moment we went inside it felt like I had been transported somewhere far away from the streets of Southampton to the extent that walking back outside was quite a shock! My only regret was that we didn't come here sooner! Massive thanks to such a tiny team who did an incredible job. You put up with questions you must have heard a thousand times before and never once did I feel like I was chore. If I move away from Southampton I will be pilrgamiging back here frequently just for this experience. Expect to see us again on the monthly!

This was not merely a meal but a gastronomic experience. Certainly one of the most memorable dining experiences we have had. Especially loved the Rogan Josh and the Pani Poori. Wish we were staying longer so we could go again. Hopefully we can return someday.

Food was outstanding, service was perfect. We went on a Friday and it was just us but the food was amazing. Very good experience overall

Késarum is an ultimate all round dining experience. We try to visit every time they change the menu and the new dishes never disappoint. Each dish is plated beautifully and comes with a background story, passionately told by the owner. We had the Nadru Crisps and Bacon Chakradhara Bits whilst we waited - both are incredibly morish and we ended up ordering another round. I had the Patte Ki Chaat to start, perfect little pakora with unique flavors of nettle and lavender - the lavender yogurt was light and flagrantly delicious. For my main I had 'Beef' Nihari, possibly one of the best meat substitutes I have ever tasted, served with a tasty demi-glace and nihari sauce which brought the meat and vegetables together to provide traditional Indian flavors. Dessert was Shahi Tukda, bread and butter style pudding with a Himalayan salted caramel custard and lime basil gel, amongst other things; to bring a unique combination of sweet and citrus flavour. I couldn't say no to a couple of Maple (G)old Fashioned cocktails, my favourite dinner pairing. The cinnamon smoked flavour and artistry of serving was to die for. We absolutely cannot wait to return in August to try some more dishes before the menu changes again. We would 1000% recommend Késarum to plant based folk and omnivores alike!

Amazing gastronomy and pleasant service from the small and dedicated team. I have never experienced anything like this, with all the different tastes - and not to mention it is vegan!

Fantasyic little restaurant where East meets West. Fine dining with an eadtern twist. Not what I expected but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Amazing experience. The restaurant is small but didn’t feel cramped, the service was amazing only one server working and he was very knowledgeable of the food, the menu is exceptionally well thought out, the flavours balanced and complementary of each other. I did take pictures but they did not do the presentation any justice. The dishes look fabulous and taste even better. The restaurant is vegan but I went with my husband who loves meat and he said he didn’t miss meat, his meal was served with a lassi and he didn’t realise it was vegan. There was a choice of 4 mains, and I couldn’t decide which one to have, however I am so please I went with the cauliflower dish, it’s amazing how the chef made so many different flavours with one ingredient. Puddings were amazing.

What a treat! Lovely plant based restaurant, friendly, knowledgable staff, delicious, well presented food which tasted amazing and lovely wine to go with it! Fabulous night and would highly recommend, not just to vegans but to anyone who enjoys delicious food with flavours that pair excellently together and look so attractive on the plate. Can’t wait to go back to try more from the superb menu.

Best food we have eaten in a long time. Food is totally unique. The Cauliflower steak dish in particular was superb. Great service, and good wine. We will be back.

What a fabulous restaurant! Great service and friendly and the food was incredible. The flavours and presentation were both very impressive. Highly recommend. The hot chai cocktail was delicious too!

So putting aside for a second that i got to spend a wonderful evening with my demi-wife, it is with her complete permission that I say she was NOT the highlight of my evening. That honour goes to the staff at Késarum in Southampton. I had been looking forward to our meal there for over a month from looking at the menu alone. It is laid out so perfectly and gives all the information I usually want from an Indian menu but am usually left guessing at. THEN WE GOT THERE and when I say they did not disappoint , I am almost afraid to admit that my new favourite restaurant of All TIME is a VEGATARIAN one....I would bow my head in carnivore shame if it weren't for the fact it is completely deserved. The food was perfect and the service, while on the slow side compared to most restaurants, was perfect to be able to enjoy each dish with the respect they deserved and for the next dish not to be tainted by any unwelcome or mismatched flavours.

The food is absolutely incredible. I've never eaten such flavours presented so beautifully. The food wrapped me in a huge hug and touched my soul.

Yet another superb dining experience at Kesarum. New menu which is incredible. So, we had one of everything on the menu and had our very own sharing menu. We’re all so pleased we had a sharing menu because everything is so good I’d have been so disappointed to miss out on any one of the dishes. A benchmark in fusion of ingredients and cooking style to create a journey of flavours. An absolute must go to. Well done guys.

My husband and I had an amazing meal here on Saturday night. The food was out of this world, absolutely incredible. Hard to believe it was all vegan! Beautiful restaurant and very friendly service on what was a very busy evening for them. Definitely recommend, we'll be back.

We have spent many years hunting the best vegan food we can find. In the UK, Tofu Vegan in London and Kusaki in Brighton were the best we had found, but this place is on a par, if not even better! From the first taste of the whipped cream on our cocktails, we knew this was going to be different - the flavours and textures that the two person kitchen team came up with were simply wonderful, and very creative. The third team member, collectively barman, waiter and concierge, was a wonderful host and always made sure we had exactly what we needed, along with providing tasting notes for the dishes. An absolute must visit - worth every penny. 5/5

I visited Kesarum tonight with a very dear friend. It was genuinely one of the best meals I have ever had. The setting was convivial. The food was fantastic. The owner and his small team were warm and above all passionate about their truly original food. It is obviously perfect for vegans and those who love Indian food, but more than that, it is great for anyone who really likes to eat. Please, please, please support this local restaurant because they deserve to thrive and go on to earn recognition and a Michelin star.

Insanely good. This is not your typical Indian restaurant. Flavours and ingredients you wouldn’t expect, well presented and tastes amazing, looking forward to going back and trying something else.

The welcome was very good, lovely staff. The menu is a bit overwhelming but they are more than happy to offer advice. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was great, the wine was very good. We will definitely be back

we visited kesarum for our sons birthday and what an amazing experiance, from the front of house staff to the incredable food WOW. the wine was incredable and every dish was well presented and very tasty. the owner noticed it was our sons bday and gave him a free cocktail (lovely personal touch) when we came to pay i was very supprised that there was NO service charge after such attetative and informatiove service. we obviously paid a service charge. all in all an amazing experiance well done and all the best for the future. we look foward to seeing you again. ian,clare,joss and charlotte

A very interesting, in a good way, and tasty meal. It is hard to put a label on this restaurant, it definitely has Indian roots and influences but is not at all your typical Indian restaurant. All the food is vegan, but it is not at all your typical vegan restaurant. The taste and presentation of the food is what you would expect in a gourmet restaurant, layers of flavor, interesting and attractive presentation. The service is very friendly but in an informal way, I believe the restaurant has a total staff of 3, including front and back of house. One of the highlights was the matcha latte, which I had as a mocktail, and was very pleasantly surprised. Also enjoyed the lotus seed nibble, like a popcorn with Indian spices. The cauliflower steak for my main was fantastic, a million different flavors and preparations of the cauliflower. Altogether an interesting and unique meal.

Exceeded expectations. Would not normally visit a vegan restaurant but this was one of the best meals we've ever eaten! From the service, to staff, to menu... Amazing! Cocktails also fantastic. Definitely returning again. Highly recommend

Myself and my partner visited for dinner this evening (Saturday) took a lot of convincing as my partner would have preferred a steak restaurant. But he was honestly shocked at how amazing the food was. Each dish we tried was soo good we ended up...

Lovely food, the team there are clearly incredibly hard working putting so much time and passion into creating lovely food but also a friendly relaxed atmosphere We had starters and main all of it was great, my favourite was the cauliflower main- definitely recommend people...

This was not only a normal dinner but a proper experience, a combination of taste and science. The food presentation was gorgeous and the flavours were unbelievably spectacular! The concept of boujee plant based Indian food is the secret of this fantastic restaurant! Even my...

Went with my sister, neither of us are vegan but have heard good things about this place. It exceeded my expectations, not only was the food brilliant but our host took the time to walk us through what we’d be eating and experiencing with recommendations...

First visit this evening, from the get go the atmosphere, the service and restaurant, faultless. The owner was so professional, friendly and went above and beyond. I am a non vegan but this was possibly the best food I have ever had in my life....

Outstanding food and fantastic service. It lives up to the other reviews. If you like fine dining, Indian flavours and being walked and talked through your food you will not be disappointed. Unexpected in Southampton! Well done guys. A small team who look after you!

Beautiful food, deserving of a Michelin star. Food incredibly inventive with perfectly executed, powerful flavours. You can see the passion that goes into creating these works of vegan art. Will be back!

My wife and I had a child free evening - where to go for dinner and a bit of a post-Christmas adventure? We are not local to Southampton but having not found inspiration anywhere else, Kesarum offered the potential for an experience (not just a...

What an experience from start to finish. The food was beautiful and tasted out of this world. The knowledge, presentation and its origin give gave it that special touch. I went with a meat eater and they too were completely blown away. It truly is...

So much more than just heading out to dinner, a real experience and flavour sensation. It was difficult to pick from such a thought out menu so we are already looking forward to going back. The team were friendly and their passion for the food...

One of the best kept secrets in Southampton. The food is a fine as it gets and in my opinion some of the best food Southampton has to offer. The service was as good as the food. Will be back for more! I had the...

This place is incredible. The food was amazing and as meat eaters you’d never have known it was veggie, the flavours were phenomenal and the service was brilliant. They talked us through the menu and every dish and recommended and made cocktails off menu to...

Everything about the experience was AMAZING ❤️ The food✨ The service ✨ The atmosphere ✨ The price ✨ It's worth every single penny. We are a vegan family of 3. We had 1 of each starters-mains-desserts along with a glass of recommended red wine per...

We chose this ‘plant-based’ restaurant because 2 of us are vegetarian and you get a bit fed up with being offered a veggie burger or mushroom risotto. The food was amazing and even the carnivores in our party enjoyed it.

Came to sample the new Winter menu & was not disappointed. Food was beautifully presented, the welcome warm & a great choice of wines.

Absolutely fantastic food with a high level of care and presentation, food taste was wonderful. Ideal for vegetarians and vegans, choice of dishes are limited but very different from your usual Indian restaurant, would highly recommend that you give it a try.

Great restaurant - excellent plant based food - really tasty and innovative and gets you thinking. Dishes are beautifully presented and described to you. Nice atmosphere and great service.

Wow! Super impressed with the creativity, flavours, style and service. First time here and we shall be back. First things first this is a 3 person operation. 2 in the kitchen and 1 on service but at no point did we feel left out or...

Really incredible food, unlike anything we've had before. Would really recommend the smoked "pork belly" (it's alchemy that they've created a vegan version that is so similar) and the fish curry - both delicious and really interesting. Also really loved the starters - the beetroot...

Beautifully presented and tasty entre. Service was outstanding and the menu items were very unique. I had a vegan version of "Chicken Tikka" Jhalfrezi that had a moderate level of heat and was attractively surrounded by Mango relish, sticky rice, etc.

Absolutely lovely place, whether just for dinner or a special occasion. The food was delicious, right level of spice, and the service was excellent. Would very happily come again.

As vegetarian most of my life, I did not think there was anything special about the food. The food is sparsley presented and I felt expensvive for what it was. I dont think I will be going back there having been charged £7 for a...

Mum and I came here for dinner and it’s an absolute taste sensation! The mango pickle in particular with the “chicken” tikka was 👌🏻 The atmosphere is so lovely and chill and the staff are wonderful! (How only 3 of them manage to pull off...

Arriving in Southampton yesterday evening, we didn’t know if there was a vegan restaurant so did an internet search that revealed we were a few metres from one! Késarum turned out to be such an amazing find. The owner gave an overview of each course...

Beautiful food, beautifully presented. A real treat - highly recommended. Looking forward already to our next visit 😊

This restaurant is amazing, the service and food were both outstanding. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys their food and likes Indian cuisine. The host took the time to explain the relevance of the dish as well as giving tips to make the most...

The BEST Indian restaurant we have ever been to! We were in Southampton for the weekend for the boat show. We were so blown away by what the young owner has achieved. The most amazing and inventive food, so delicious and presented with Michelin- starred...

Just incredible from start to finish. Beautiful, delicious dishes. We will 100% be back! Seriously, just go!!

Cant recommend this restaurant effort. The food is excellent and will balanced. The owner is very humble and will explain were the ingredients for the dish come from and how best to eat them so you get the full experience of the dish. He even...

Great experience with excellent food and friendly service. Was busy so had to wait a bit to be served, but we were prepared for that and it was a pleasant atmosphere.

Incredible food and great service and atmosphere. Probably the best dining experience I've ever had!

Exceptional food, presentation, service and atmosphere. Enjoyed all three courses, full of flavour and creativity, will be back for more

A place of inspiration on plant based food. Beautifully presented and ingredients chosen to truly represent the diversity of Indian cuisine.

Everything about the evening was first class, starting with the welcome from the owner. It was a busy Saturday night but at no time did we feel we had to wait. The quality of the food was exceptional and each element of each dish was...

Really enjoyed our evening at Kesarum. Excellent food, a lovely local ale and a relaxed and charming environment. The food has been designed with creativity but still filling and full of flavour. Thoroughly recommend.

Amazing food, nice atmosphere and very friendly staff. We had three courses – all were delicious and extremely creative.

This place is incredible! Went here for a birthday meal the other evening and was totally blown away by the food! Really gorgeous restaurant inside and brilliant service, and the food was SO good! We were gutted when Offbeet closed, so we're pumped to have...

This was our second visit so we got to sample the latest menu. It was just great. So many flavours, colours, theatre….. A meal here was all my wife wanted for her birthday and she was not disappointed. We will be back to try the...

Food was very tasty and well presented. The staff were very friendly. I highly recommend the chai cocktail.

Absolutely delicious food, a small team, but we were well looked after. Food was amazing and beautifully presented. I hope they continue to develop the restaurant and will definitely recommend and return.

Beautifully presented delicious dishes. Each mouthful seemed to have new interest. Great service. Great value. Good company.

Superb evening, Food absolutely incredible I am not a vegan but this has got to be one of the best meals I have had in a long time! The quality was amazing and the presentation was on par with Michelin star restaurants I have eaten...

Really impressive! Every mouthful bursting with flavour! Delightfully balanced and exciting flavours and textures so so beautifully presented! Feast for the eyes and the belly! Really really good. Would like to come back again soon!

The food was great and as it's all VEGAN I had no trouble selecting because of being vegetarian. It was nice to be able to choose anything

Finally took my husband after such a wonderful evening here with my friend. The new summer menu is still just as stunning, along with the service and ambience. Plenty of gluten free and non spicy options as per last time! Every dish is beautifully presented...

I'm not vegan and the food was absolutely incredible! Went with a bunch of friends but will go again for a date night. Cocktails were class too

Kesarum is a taste delight. Amazing fine dining food, unlike any Indian that I have eaten before. And I have lived in India.

Incredible fine dining experience. The food was wonderful and very inventive. The host was very welcoming and attentive. Would thoroughly recommend, looking for an excuse to come back

What a fantastic night out with amazing food. It was my first visit here it won't be my last. Whether you are vegan like me or not it doesn't matter. The food stands out on its own

The food here was fantastic - a real treat for the tastebuds!! Neither myself or my husband are vegan but the dishes we had could not have been better in any way. They were full of well chosen and blended flavours which the waiter fully...

Great food and service. All this dishes have a story and look and taste amazing. I’m not vegetarian or vegan but the best Indian by far in Southampton.

In a word: Magnificent! We thoroughly enjoyed their modern North Indian cuisine, equally appreciated by a non-vegan. Well paired flavour palette, excellent presentation, beautifully proportioned meals - delicate and delightful. Thank you!

Came across this restaurant when looking for inspiration for somewhere new to try on tripadviser. Saw the 5 star rating, read the glowing reviews, and looked at the website - and liking what we saw we made the booking. Have to say the food was...

Thoroughly enjoyable experience at Kesarum. Really intriguing food. Highly recommend to vegans and non-vegans. Great service. Can’t wait to go back

I have been to many Indian Restaurants al over the country This is without dout the very best food eas Michelin star quality Service was exceptional and the ambient setting was perfect. The owner served our meal and explained every detail of the food we...

This restaurant is plant based which for a vegan is alway exciting. I was really looking forward to the food which I have to say was very tasty and just gorgeous flavours. The restaurant is really nice and has a great atmosphere and the staff...

Just back from another wonderful dining experience at Kesarum. So lucky to have this gem in Southampton.

I couldn’t recommend this restaurant more. Everything about Kesarum is fantastic. The service is excellent with the front of the house taking time to explain each dish as well as making the most delicious cocktails/mocktails. The food is incredible with a wonderful array of flavours...

The non imposing exterior of this Southampton restaurant hides an amazingly unique culinary adventure within. Kesarum’s host offers a warm welcome as you enter this eclectically furnished open kitchen dining room. Their wine list provided our first hint of what lay ahead. As we sipped...

Treated as only VIPs are. The food is especially unique and diners need to tune in for an experience of no other within Southampton. I'll be back before you know it.

We had the most delicious meal here celebrating our wedding anniversary. So many interesting, delicate flavours and beautiful presentation, Excellent informative and welcoming service. We had three courses and enjoyed every mouthful. Chilled atmosphere with great music , low lighting and a gentle buzz of...

The food at Késarum was incredible!! Innovative combinations of flavours and presented beautifully. Very hard to find vegan food this good 🙏 Highly recommend!!

Visited tonight to celebrate our anniversary & sample the new menu. The welcome & hospitality was warm as always & the dishes didn't disappoint. Some of the most beautifully presented dishes in the city. The momo are awesome !

Having never been to a vegetarian restaurant before i was a little unsure as to what the dishes would be like. I can honestly say i was most pleasantly surprised. We had 3 courses plus some nibbles. We tried 2 different starters (and then shared,...

Honestly some of the most exquisite food I have had in Southampton. Highly recommend for everyone, vegan or not!

First of all I must tell you that I am not a vegetarian, nor am I vegan, but the meal I had this evening was outstanding. It was full of flavour. It was like an explosion on your tongue. I have not had a nicer...

This is a few notches up from the traditional restaurant. Considerable thought had been put into the presentation and contrast of the flavours. The prices are around £20 for a main. The meals are fully plated including rice, bread, chutney. The desert was wonderfully presented...

Food is extraordinarily good. Beautifully presented with great thought put into flavours and textures. Menu is initially potentially daunting, but explained well by front of house. The fact that the food is vegan is immaterial - it is just very good indeed, and a showcase...

Go try this place out. An amazing experience, fantastic service and the food is mind blowing. Each dish has so much thought put into it and the range of ingredients, textures and flavours is incredible. The owner is passionate about his work and describes everything...

I was looking for a unique restaurant dining experience for my wife’s birthday who is Coeliac and vegetarian. When doing my research Kesarum restaurant came up and having read other reviews it looked quite impressive. When we finally attended for her birthday our experience of...

Amazing experience. Food was very tasty and beautifully presented, with a bit of theatricality as well. Waiter explained the tasting notes in each meal. Highly recommended.

We had a special meal at Kesarum. Having lived in Tooting in London, we have been to lots of tasty Indian restaurants and many of London's fancier vegan ones. This was definitely the best mix of fine dining with Indian food so far. The momo...

Incredible - again. A wonderful combination of flavours, perfect balance and magnificent service. Thank you!

Wish I could give them more stars! I could honestly say this was some of the best food I'd ever eaten - such a hidden gem in Southampton!! Service was also wonderful - would absolutely recommend

We had such a great evening at Késarum! The food was truly unique, with delicious flavour combinations I've never tried before. Service was delivered with warmth and insights into each dish. The cocktails were great and the smoky old fashioned is highly recommended! We'll definitely...