Vegan
Indian
Organic
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Fusion
Gluten-free
Késarum [kay-sir-rum(Saffron in Sanskrit)]: A team of three showcasing modern and creative plant-based Indian cuisine with wine pairings and an open plan kitchen. Uses seasonal produce. Open Thu-Fri 18:00-22:00, Sat 12:00-15:30, 17:30-22:00. Closed Sun- Wed.(Opens on Bank Holiday Mondays only.)
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25 High St, Southampton, England, SO14 2DF
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- Reservations required
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 07 Dec 2023 by Kesarum
Update business info -
Added by Kesarum on 15 May 2022
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74 Reviews
First Review by Npr
sunanda_tulu_shetty
Points +13
Brought back childhood memories - Edit
I have been to many Indian restaurants in the UK, and I now feel if you eat in one you eat in all. Having visited this restaurant, I am so happy to see such diversity represented. Having their interpretations of sanna and Iddiappam took me back to my childhood days in my grandparents village in Karnataka where we in fact ate Sanna and oota shavige (iddiappam) from the wood fire. Made me quite emotional. Everything was spot on. The paniyaram was outstanding. These food items they are time consuming and the timing is very important for them to come out right. Kesarum knows what they are doing. Hats off to this restaurant for taking the risk and showcasing our unique south indian food food.
Read moreGuest
Clang
Points +65
Wonderful restaurant - Edit
We arranged to have a meal after a visit to the Mayflower Theatre. The food was absolutely delicious- beautifully spiced and balanced, and wonderfully presented. The server was friendly and knowledgeable, the cocktails were playful and elegant, and the puddings were exquisite. We will definitely be back when we have the chance.
Read morePros: Variety of spices, Unusual dishes, Friendly service
Guest
solitary
Points +45
Excellent. VERY impressed. - Edit
Food is delicious. Venue and decor is very pleasing. Staff are friendly and attentive. Perfect place for a Special Occasion.
Read morePros: All Vegan
Guest
FrancescaSawyer
Points +38
Beautiful place - Edit
Venue was beautiful, the person serving us was very attentive and knowledgeable, and the food was absolutely stunning-both in taste and aesthetics
Read moreGuest
SebDennard
Points +149
Incredible - Edit
An absolutely incredible meal, completely vegan. Beautifully presented, delicious, and varied food, with lovely cocktails. It's up there as one of our favourite restaurants now.
Read moreGuest
hannahveg
Points +26
Incredible innovative vegan Indian food - Edit
So nice to have a plant based fine dining spot in Southampton 💚 the food is stunning..the restaurant is classy & cosy!! service is 10/10
Read moreGuest
CathyBower
Points +24
Highly recommend - Edit
Artistic and exciting vegan food. Eating out as a vegan has never been this interesting. The vegan lamb was incredible.
Read morePros: Fully vegan menu and cocktails , Really interesting food and cocktails, Service and presentation excellent
Guest
Npr
Points +40
Delicious and innovative! - Edit
Everything tasted great. The presentation is always excellent. You get a unique spin on fine Indian cuisine that you don't get anywhere else. The food has always tasted excellent every time we've been.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-05-21
Pros: Really fresh and tasty , Attentive service, Plant based
Guest
Ascat18
Points +166
Lovely Presentation - Edit
We visited Kesarum based on the excellent reviews given on here.
Read moreIndian food is our favourite cuisine and we have dined in some excellent restaurants like The Prashad in Bradford. Unfortunately, our high expectations were not met.
The food was beautifully presented and our starters were lovely.
Updated from previous review on 2022-10-27
Pros: Well presented food, Good location
Kesarum
Sorry we were unable to meet your requirements. We know that people’s tastes are very subjective and that we will not be for everyone, and we certainly will not be for those who are partial to the kind of offerings seen in Indian restaurants since the past forty years. Our cuisine is explorative, innovative and off the beaten track. But please please DO NOT compare us with other establishments; it makes us highly uncomfortable. Having looked at the restaurant you mentioned, it is glaringly obvious that their entire model is lightyears different to ours. Please do not compare an apple with an orange. We are ALL colleagues together in hospitality about to face a really tough time.
Read moreNonetheless, if you choose to dine with us in the future and give us another opportunity, which we hope is the case, our exhilarating and path-breaking winter menu may surely wow you. Take care.
Guest
kkerlley
Points +26
Lovely vegan restaurant but pricey - Edit
Great food experience. The food was tasty and rich in culture, and the service was great. Not many options on the menu but fine if it's seasonal. The food was a bit pricey but the 15% discount we received made it more affordable. It felt like the food was going for fancy but the ambience wasn't matching (e.g. rubbish bins and brooms on show and toilets not done up).
Read moreOverall, I'd come again but for this price only on a special occasion.
Pros: Good food presentation , Service
Cons: Menu selection, Ambience
Guest
vegotanuki
Points +1460
Incredible - Edit
Boyfriend declared it the best food he’d ever eaten (and he was only a little bit drunk). Pricey but worth it and am so excited to visit again to try the winter menu.
Read moreEdit: can confirm the winter menu is also amazing. The paneer curry in particular was absolutely insane.
Updated from previous review on 2022-12-30
Guest
LaraChurcher-Muria
Points +446
Not worth it - Edit
Price is for a high end restaurant but this is not. The food is nice but nothing out of this world, just as good as any good Indian, however the portions are ridiculously small. If you are looking for high end food go to Offbeet, if you are looking for a good Indian go to babooji. Don't waste your money here unless you are looking to either spend over a hundred pounds or going home hungry. For the 2 of us we spent £90 and went I got home I had to eat something as my tummy was rumbling!
Read morePros: The food is tasty
Cons: Portions are VERY SMALL, Very expensive for what it is , Service is a little too much in your face
Guest
KellyCooper
Points +176
A fine dining experience - Edit
Wow! I took a journey out of my comfort zone and experienced a taste sensation.
Read moreI looked at the menu and felt disappointed that there was nothing familiar nor anything I really fancied trying. I considered getting up and going somewhere else, but I decided it was my birthday and I was going to just immerse myself in the experience that is Kesarum.
We had the nibbles to start. I didn't think I would like either, but I loved both and could happily nibble on them all day. The mini masala appalam 'cornetto' was a taste sensation. The savoury of the cone the sweetness of the perfectly crisp ripe fruit was divine and I am not usually keen on the sweet and savoury being mixed. The chakradhara were crunchy and subtly flavoured. They reminded me of poppadoms in flavour, but without all the oil. We had another helping of these between our main course and dessert. Honestly I could happily have munched on the whole jar all evening.
For main my husband had the 'paneer' chettinadu and I had the 'lamb' chattinadu. Again, Wow! I don't even know where to begin. It was beautifully put together in a way that wouldn't look out of place in a Michelin starred restaurant. My photos really don't do it justice. The textures and flavours were just fantastic. The
'lamb' was the best lamb I have ever had. My brain questioned whether what I was eating was even vegan it was so reminiscent of food from my omni years. All the elements complimented each other perfectly. The paneer was equally good. We tried each others food, so I can say I would not hesitate to order either dish again. In fact I was tempted to order a second helping.
Now what I will say is that if you dine here, be prepared to wait for your food, be prepared to wait between courses. This is a small team of three; two brilliant and talented chefs and one super friendly, kind, informative and polite front of house. If you are in a hurry go somewhere else, but honestly that would be your loss.
We had the second portion of chakradhara between courses. It was also the first week of their new winter menu and quite honestly you can tell that the will only accept perfection leaving the kitchen. Which by the way you get to peer into with excitement when you visit the loo. To see two masters plate your main course is really special. They were lost in their art and almost didn't notice me eyeballing as I slowly walked by.
Anyway I digress! For dessert we decided to order one of each and share both. Amazing! The brownie was best.
Pros: Completely vegan, Fine dining experience , Exquisite art on a plate
Cons: I felt cold, but it is winter.
Guest
anxela
Points +26
Vegano en Southampton! - Edit
Menú muy especial...!...ha sido una gran sorpresa!
Read morePros: Completamente vegano, original, elegante , Exquisita comida...gourmet!, Muy amables
Guest
RhysLawrence
Points +18
Fantastic - Edit
Best meal I’ve had in years - will come back often.
Read moreGuest
GlynWade
Points +59
On the way to Michelin stars surely - Edit
When the food is this good and so much work has gone into making and presenting it you don't mind forking out a bit more than you normally would. Presented with passion and explanation this relatively new restaurant is on a different level. If it was in London there would be queues for days and Jay Rayner would be sat there more than once.
Read moreThis is food to savour and not rush, a sort of anti-McDonalds and I would recommend it highly. I'm pretty sure my carnivore mother-in-law will be raving about it for years to come!
Pros: Michelin star quality food, Amazing presentation, Food described at serving.
Guest
Hytheveg
Points +11
favourite restaurant in the South - Edit
This is such a gem of a restaurant. I could say so much but to avoid rambling will sum up to say - Fantastic flavours, sublimely presented by lovely staff. It is an open kitchen so you can see where your food is being prepared, who is preparing it, and what ingredients are being used, to provide such an artistic tasteful meal. I can't recommend it highly enough. I have been several times, taking different friends and family. Whilst the menu is plant based and thus the favourite of vegans and vegetarians, the meals have such a burst of flavours that meat eating friends/family have also enjoyed them. It's the first time I have done a review as I fear it will become everyone's favourite and then I won't be able to get in!! But I finally succumbed as I feel the praise is well deserved and I want to ensure during these times of austerity that the restaurant is there for a very long time for me to enjoy in the years ahead..
Read morePros: Fantastic flavoursome artistic food, Outstandingly courteous and pleasant staff
Guest
farrfalina
Points +11
My favourite plant based restaurant - Edit
Amazing Indian inspired restaurant, presentation is the absolute best, the way the flavours work is great. This is not a normal Indian restaurant it’s at a higher level, totally plant based though, been there 3 times in last 2 months despite it being 40 minutes from home
Read morePros: Freshly cooked, It’s not cheap, but the work go into dish👍, Intimate atmosphere
Cons: Small so you probably need to book
Guest
vegalishaous_
Points +163
Pure Magic. - Edit
Kesarum is a magical place.🌟
Read moreIt's living proof that going out for Indian food doesn't have to be a criminal westernized take on chicken 'tikka' or veggie 'korma' that has been stretched so far from its cultural roots that it no longer resembles the traditional recipe. 🥘
And the best part is that it tastes, and looks, incredible. After sampling almost the entire menu it is hard to think of a single dish that I wouldn't buy again. 🤤
🌱 Bombay Bhél (Indian rice crispies)
🌱 Amritsari Soya Chaap (Soya-Seitan skewers)
🌱 Beet Aloo Tikki (Beetroot cutlets)
🌱 Chick'n and Red Pepper Makhni (Seitan Butter Chicken)
🌱 Baingan Bharta (smoked aubergine
🌱 Daal Tadka (lentils with pappadum cornetto)
🌱 Saag (spinach gravy)
🌱 Masala Dosa (lentil crepe 'campfire' with potato cutlets)
🍧 And HOLY CREPE that pudding. I've not always been one for Kheer, but with the cold winter nights approaching, this warmly spiced creamy treat was a delightful end to an incredible evening.
🍸That and the Grasshoppers. With creme de menthe and vegan cream, it's not hard to see why this mint-choc cocktail had me way before hello.
And all of this is created by just two pairs of hands, with just one incredible waiter doing his absolute best to give a 5-star personal customer service experience to every single customer. I honestly wish I could really show you how incredible it is, but you simy have to experience it for yourself.
💚 Honestly, it's just the cherry on top that the food tastes impeccable. Not many places manage to achieve the impossible - outstanding recipe creation that incorporates creative design, whilst preserving cultural heritage, and all with the power of plants.
Thank you Kesarum. We'll be seeing you again soon.
Pros: Fully vegan, Incredible taste and increíble presentation, Unique Indian experience
Cons: Not cheap, but worth every penny, Not huge on the portions
Guest
JamesOK
Points +22
Delicious Food - Edit
We warmly welcomed and shown to our table with an explanation of how to view the menu (through a QR code). There was a pleasant, warm, calm atmosphere, and all the tables were occupied. There was a reasonable selection and an emphasis on a few options of high quality, rather than a wide menu. It was great that there was the option to have a smaller version of any main dish to try a bit of everything. The food all tasted great, especially the mini masala pappadum ‘Cornetto’ and the Bonney Bhél. We chose to have three sides between two, including rice and bread, which was plenty. Despite the owner being the only front of house member of the team, he was extremely attentive and the food arrived in a timely manner. Kesarum is very much worth a visit so please support this independent vegan restaurant.
Read morePros: Warm welcome and attentive service., Entirely vegan menu. , Food was delicious.
Cons: More front of house staff needed. , Printed menus would be preferred.
Guest
HilaryHubbard
Points +217
Great tasting vegan Indian food - Edit
Great vegan Indian food with excellent attention to detail. Dishes were freshly cooked and very flavoursome. It is quite pricey for a restaurant of its type but well worth the money. I loved the gobi manchurian and the butter ‘chicken’ which came with amazing paratha style bread. Already planning to return.
Read morePros: Everything is vegan 😀, Beautiful presentation, Great flavour
Cons: A little pricey but worth it for a treat, Quiet - more people need to go soon!
Guest
Sproutdancing
Points +272
Amazing flavour! - Edit
Just perfect food and service. Everything had so much thought behind it! Will be coming back soon!!
Read morePros: Amazing flavour , Staff passionate about food , Everything is vegan
Guest
barbicanben
Points +843
Beautiful delicious food - Edit
Pure vegan Indian restaurant currently ranked #1 of all restaurants in Southampton on TripAdvisor - easy to see why - all the food was lovely
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-09-09
Pros: Great selection of food, All vegan
Guest
StephenRutherford
Points +6
Michelin quality food without the price tag..vegans and veggies should eat here as an imperative.. - Edit
I never write reviews, but did this place change my mind. I decided to eat here by chance when walking past and looking up the restaurant on my phone. I was curious to find out what I would find in a vegan indian restaurant, not having come across one before and being a meat eater myself. What an experience I had. Not having eaten for the whole day I built up quite the appetite and ordered two starters and three sides with parathas. The cauliflower was crispy and almost had a chicken like stringiness to it. The beetroot dish had none of the earthy undertones that people usually detest and was so delicate in texture and flavour....almost like you have to savour each bite and let it melt in your mouth...
Read moreI found the mains wonderfully seasoned and not like typical spicy curry house dishes and each one demonstrated very good knowledge of balancing and combining flavours.
I have had the pleasure to dine at michelin star venues and top restaurants in central london and Késarum's offerings are up there - minus the price tag. This restaurant is most definitely poised to become an fine dining and cocktail establishment rather than a curry and beer one. i was even more impressed with how the restaurant is only being run by three people, and yet they provide such beautifully presented and tasting food prepared with love with conscientious service. vegans and vegetarians should seriously have an evening out here.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g186299-d24119697-r855522316-Kesarum-Southampton_Hampshire_England.html#
Pros: Michelin quality food without the price tag, serious high-end presentation, outstanding operation for a three person run team
Cons: Was sadly quiet during my visit, Why is this restaurant not packed out?!?
Guest
jacekjagodka
Points +30
Beautifully presented dishes, incredible taste, lovely staff - Edit
We had a wonderful experience tonight at Kesarum, we definitely spoiled our tastebuds!
Read moreGuest
ShannenTunnicliffe
Points +829
Some of the best food I've ever had! - Edit
My partner and I came here after seeing all the good reviews. They've only been open for 5 months but the food is absolutely incredible!
Read moreBetween us we had two cocktails, two starters, three side dish portions of the mains plus a serve of rice and the flakey bread (forgot the name) and we were so full and satisfied at the end.
The flavours worked together so well. Worth the money!
The service was great as well, our server was very knowledgeable on the menu and gave us great recommendations. He was lovely to chat to and made us feel very welcome.
We will definitely be back to try more! Can't recommend this place enough!
Pros: Some of the best food I've ever tried, Great service, made to feel very welcome
Guest
jessroberts94
Points +37
Incredible food - Edit
Highly recommend eating at Késarum, absolutely incredible food, lovely staff & atmosphere.
Read moreI recommend the Beet Aloo and the Butter Chick'n. The host is also very attentive and great at recommending dishes.
The cocktails are great too!
Pros: Flavour, Staff, Cocktails
Guest
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