Leading UK food critic gives gleaming review on Leeds restaurant: Tharavadu

Jay Rayner, award-winning writer, journalist and critic for the Observer, The Guardian’s sister newspaper recently visited one of Leed’s most popular Indian restaurants: Tharavadu. 

“It’ll make you profoundly happy” is how Jay Rayner kicks off his review about the Michelin-recommended Tharavadu in Leeds city centre, known for its warm and welcoming hospitality and delicious Keralan cuisine.

The Leeds Restaurant has been showcasing award-winning and authentic cuisine for over 10 years, featuring a range of meat and fish dishes as well as their famous dosas packed full of unique flavour combinations along with their thali sharers.

Jay Rayner described Tharavadu as a “delightful Keralan restaurant in Leeds”, complete with a stylish interior and plenty of coconut and seafood appearing on the menu.

Starting with their snacks and nibbles, Jay sampled everything from papad dipped in a batter spiced with ground chillies, turmeric, and black sesame to chaat served with mint chutney, tamarind and yoghurt.

The padipura mix seafood was next on the list at Tharavadu in Leeds, with the critic stating “The ballast of seafood gives the dish heft, but the very essence of the tropical coast, the whiff of the Arabian Sea shore on a sultry afternoon, is in the depths of that assertive soup-turned-sauce.”

Next on the menu is the chargrilled chicken served with fried rice noodles and curry leaves followed by a “deep, hugely comforting, egg curry” as a side at the popular Leeds restaurant.

Tharavadu in Leed’s famous dosas filled with spiced masala potatoes are simply described with “The next time I have a raging cold, I want this single dish delivered to me daily to make me feel better about, well, most things.”

With a chocolate fudge cake and one of their sweet milk puddings served for dessert along with a chai tea cream liquor, Jay ends his gleaming review with the news of a Tharavadu expansion with over 350 new covers.

“More of what Tharavadu has to offer, to many more people, can only be a good thing.” is Jay’s ending comment regarding the Leeds restaurant.

For more information on Tharavadu in Leeds or to book a table, visit their website.

7-8 Mill Hill, Leeds LS1 5DQ – 0113 244 0500 | Get Directions

Famously known for his witty reviews and appearances as a judge on several series of Masterchef, Jay Rayner has worked for numerous magazines including GQ and Esquire. Known as one of the UK’s best-loved food critics. Nominated and winning awards since the beginning of his career.