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Review: Kayal in Leamington Spa
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
Kayal has long held a respected place in Leamington Spa’s dining scene, and continues to draw both loyal regulars and curious newcomers.
The Regent Street restaurant specialises in the flavours of Kerala, offering a distinctive alternative to the more common North Indian menus found across the region.
If you’re not familiar with it, South Indian Kerala cuisine is inspired by Kerala’s rich culinary heritage and is famous for its seafood. It is all about tradition, aromas and spices – mildly flavoured, spicy and gently cooked, and with an emphasis on healthy food - and all recreated by Kerala-born chefs.
From the vibrant spices of the north to the delicate aromas of the south, each dish is clearly crafted with meticulous attention to detail and their commitment to using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients shines through on the palate.
No surprise then, that it has a string of awards to its name, including more recently, the Blue Ribbon Good Food Award for the second year running, a rare achievement that reflects trust, customer satisfaction, and culinary excellence.
In 2024, Kayal also won Regional Restaurant of the year 2024 and South Indian Restaurant of the year at the Asian Food and Restaurant Awards and South Indian Restaurant of the Year at The English Curry Awards 2024.
Kayal’s culinary reputation remains its strongest asset with an authenticity and depth of flavour across its South Indian and Kerala‑inspired dishes, from richly spiced curries to delicately prepared seafood. Our dishes were all polished off in style although, if you’re not one for spice, like me, take advice before ordering.
Standout favourites include the chicken biryani, black pepper chicken curry, and calamari, all noted for their intensity, freshness, and balance of spice. Plus, traditional dosa, idli & vada with chutneys, signature Kerala fish curry & seafood specialities, fragrant biryani dishes, classic vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries and popular Indian street food starters.
But every meal is a testament to the dedication to healthy eating and those all-important traditional cooking practices using high-quality ingredients.
Service at Kayal is warm, attentive, and genuinely hospitable. Staff on the night were friendly, as if welcoming us into their own home. My surprise birthday dessert - accompanied with a rousing 'Happy Birthday' chorus by what seemed like the entire team – topped off a wonderful experience.
Kayal’s décor and atmosphere offer the perfect backdrop too. The restaurant is warm, cosy and evocative of Kerala’s cultural heritage, with thoughtful touches that create a serene and inviting environment. Every detail is designed to make guests feel welcome.
With an extensive menu, generous portions, authentic flavours and reasonable pricing, it’s little surprise Kayal boasts a consistent placement among the top restaurants in Leamington, along with a high volume of positive reviews and a Travellers’ Choice award, reinforcing its status as one of the area’s foodie ‘go-to’s.’
In fact, it would appear Kayal remains one of Leamington Spa’s most distinctive and rewarding dining experiences and is a standout choice for both casual meals and special occasions.
And did you know that Kayal also offers a unique South Indian breakfast experience, plus takeaway and Indian catering services?
If you’re seeking authentic South Indian flavours delivered with character and charm, you will not go wrong here. The perfect choice for my birthday celebrations with family.
Elsewhere in the UK, there are also branches in Leicester, Nottingham and West Byfleet in Surrey.
[Items in this article may have been gifted to Chatting Food. No financial payment has been made to feature in this article, and entries to the feature are made independently by members of the Editorial Team. This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a small commission for purchases]
Amanda is a journalist of 30 years and now runs an award-winning PR agency based in Warwickshire. When she's not writing about her own clients she loves to help spotlight the great work of other pubs, restaurants and hotels around the country.
