• Tharavadu, Mill Hill, Leeds

• Uyare by Tharavadu, Rooftop, Victoria Gate, Leeds

Cuisine: South Indian (Keralan)

Prices:

• Tharavadu: mains from £10–£16

• Uyare: small plates from £7, mains from £14–£18

Website: https://www.tharavadurestaurants.com

INTRODUCING THARAVADU – LEEDS’ OG SOUTH INDIAN HERO

Ask anyone in Leeds where to go for South Indian food, and the answer is almost always Tharavadu. Since opening on Mill Hill back in 2014, it’s quietly (and consistently) built a reputation as one of the best Indian restaurants in the North — not just for its authenticity, but for its unwavering quality and service.

Here, Kerala comes alive. From the comforting sambar vada to the gently spiced fish molee, everything feels like it was made with care and tradition. The chefs are from Kerala, trained in the traditional ‘tharavadu’ (ancestral home) cooking style, and the menu doesn’t shy away from dishes you won’t find at a typical curry house.

It’s little wonder Tharavadu shot into TripAdvisor’s top 10 within a week of opening and held the title of Leeds’ No.1 Indian restaurant for 18 consecutive months. And even now, over a decade on, it’s still packed on weeknights — a testament to doing one thing incredibly well.

ENTER UYARE – A NEW CHAPTER ABOVE THE CITY

Fast-forward to 2025, and Tharavadu has launched its second venue: Uyare, a rooftop restaurant and bar in the former Issho site atop Victoria Gate. If Tharavadu is where you go for homely, soul-soothing Keralan food, Uyare is the elegant cousin dressed to impress.

The name “Uyare” means “to rise” — and this concept does exactly that. The space is split into two distinct experiences:

• Bhoomi – The Earth Restaurant, with a small plates-style menu focused on bold, traditional flavours

• Agni – The Fire Bar, a sleek cocktail lounge with floor-to-ceiling views over Leeds and a menu of Indian-inspired drinks

It’s sophisticated but still rooted in heritage. On our visit, the prawn pollichathu was a standout — roasted in banana leaf, smoky and rich. The beef ularthiyathu brought an unapologetic hit of pepper and coconut. And for drinks, the curry leaf gin cocktail was a clever nod to the flavours coming from the kitchen.

TWO VENUES, ONE PHILOSOPHY

What connects these two very different spaces is the same thread of authenticity. Tharavadu on Mill Hill is where you go for comfort food that’s been perfected over generations. Uyare is where you go when you want that same tradition, but elevated — with a view, a drink in hand, and a bit of theatre on the side.

Between them, they’ve set a new standard for Indian dining in Leeds.

Best for:

• Tharavadu: Comforting South Indian classics, relaxed weekday dinners, intro to Keralan cuisine

• Uyare: Rooftop dining, date nights, small plates, cocktails with flair

Top dishes to try:

• At Tharavadu: Fish Molee, Masala Dosa, Meen Porichathu

• At Uyare: Prawn Pollichathu, Beef Ularthiyathu, Avial, Banana Leaf Seabass

Whether you’re a longtime Tharavadu fan or discovering Uyare for the first time, both restaurants offer something rare: honest, heritage cooking that feels fresh, vibrant, and unforgettable.

Two restaurants. One family. One city. And hundreds of years of Keralan tradition on every