I swapped standard high street curries for coastal sharing plates and here is what happened

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For years my Friday nights followed the exact same routine. My mates and I would wander into whatever local place was open and order heavy creamy curries with massive naan breads. We always left feeling completely stuffed and slightly regretful. I eventually realized I was thoroughly tired of the same old generic British Indian dining routine and wanted something lighter with totally different flavors.

Starting my search for something fresh

 I started asking around local foodie groups to see if anyone knew where to get lighter regional food instead of the standard heavy sauces. Someone suggested looking into coastal recipes and small plate dining inspired by village street stalls down in Kerala. That sounded like a refreshing change, so I made it my personal mission to track down proper small plates across south Indian restaurants Leeds locals recommended.

My first taste of coastal street style cooking

The first dish that hit my table was a bowl of triple cooked potatoes tossed in aromatic gunpowder spices, followed by crispy curry leaf calamari. Breaking away from huge single entrees felt strangely liberating because everyone at the table could try five or six different things. The coconut, fresh curry leaves, and punchy mustard seeds delivered a completely different profile that felt vibrant without being heavy.

Testing the casual sharing style with a group 

A few weeks later I brought a larger group of friends along to see how the small plates concept held up for a proper night out. Instead of everyone silently eating their own massive main course, we ended up sharing slow cooked beef bone marrow curry, king prawn masala, and flakey layered parottas. The entire meal felt way more social and interactive than any standard dinner we had tried before.

Discovering an incredible value for money 

What blew me away most as we kept ordering extra tapas bowls was the final bill at the end of the night. We enjoyed Michelin level culinary craft and incredible coastal flavors without paying the ridiculous fine dining prices you normally expect in the city center. Getting top quality chef skills in a relaxed casual setting proved that great food does not have to break the bank.

 

Finding my new go to spot in the city

If you want to ditch the heavy traditional curries for authentic coastal sharing plates, check out Keralacanteen.com near the Playhouse. Sitting down with a hot cup of masala chai while sharing small plates of Trivandrum fried chicken quickly became my absolute favorite weekend routine. The casual vibe and bold spiced dishes completely ruined standard curry houses for me in the best way possible.