About Késarum
Késarum—Sanskrit for saffron—embodies the essence of our culinary philosophy. This premium spice represents spiritual awakening and wisdom in Indian tradition, reflecting our commitment to creating a dining experience that is authentic, creative, and luxurious.
Késarum Director, Mahésh
Our Philosophy
Késarum—Sanskrit for saffron—embodies the essence of our culinary philosophy. This premium spice represents spiritual awakening and wisdom in Indian tradition, reflecting our commitment to creating a dining experience that is authentic, creative, and luxurious.
Our inspiration flows from the ancient Indian principle of ahimsa—practices that reduce harm to all living beings and our planet. We often reflect on the Sanskrit verse:
"Mother earth, whose garments are made up of our oceans, & whose upper body strength is as strong as the mountains. Being part of what sustains and protects us, I am about to step on you with my feet. Please forgive my this disrespect as I go about my day."
This reverence for our planet guides everything we do at Késarum. India has long been the fountainhead for plant-based cuisines, with ancient cookbooks emphasising sustainable practices and seasonal ingredients—wisdom that resonates with classical French culinary traditions. Our approach reverse-engineers this forgotten knowledge of classical Indian cuisine, gently incorporating French techniques to create something truly unique.
Our Home
Nestled in the heart of Southampton's charming Old Town along the vibrant QE2 Mile, Késarum occupies a beautifully preserved Grade II-listed former bank building. Our intimate 38-cover dining space features a sophisticated navy, cream, and gold interior that creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This historic setting, with its unique character and architectural charm, provides the perfect backdrop for the culinary journey we offer our guests.
We've thoughtfully designed our space to foster an unhurried, relaxed dining experience—a place where time slows down, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the flavours, aromas, and stories behind each dish. Our location in Southampton's cultural centre makes us an ideal destination for both locals and visitors exploring the city's rich heritage.
Head Chef, Raj
Our Culinary Approach
At Késarum, our culinary team is deeply grounded in classical cooking traditions, allowing us to innovate while maintaining the integrity of each dish. We believe that successful experimentation comes from thoroughly understanding the original recipe and building thoughtfully around its central concept. This approach requires a deep appreciation of regional geography and cultural history—elements that have shaped India's extraordinary culinary diversity.
Our creative process begins with extensive research into regional cuisines, often spanning many weeks. We study not only recipes but also the geographical and cultural contexts that birthed them, understanding how terrain, climate, and history have influenced flavour profiles and cooking methods. This knowledge forms the foundation for our menu development, which can take months as we work to transform traditional dishes into plant-based versions that capture the essence of the originals.
The kitchen at Késarum draws inspiration from fine dining establishments worldwide, incorporating techniques that allow us to approach Indian cooking from fresh perspectives. This global influence strengthens our understanding of food science and enables us to introduce Southampton to lesser-known regional specialities from across India—dishes like Mangalore Sanna, Paniyaram, litti chokha, and regional varieties of masala chai desserts that are rarely found outside their native regions.
Our menu gives special attention to the cuisines of Tamil Nadu, celebrating these southern Indian flavours with particular authenticity. We also embrace the challenge of veganising traditionally meat-centric cuisines from regions like Northeast India, where tribal cooking traditions offer unique flavour profiles that require considerable creativity to translate into plant-based versions.
Visual presentation and texture receive meticulous attention in our kitchen, as these elements are crucial in creating plant-based dishes that deliver experiences remarkably similar to their non-vegetarian counterparts. While we acknowledge that perfect replication isn't possible, our continuous refinement process brings us remarkably close, resulting in dishes that satisfy and surprise even dedicated omnivores.
Our Journey
We are profoundly grateful that Southampton has embraced our vision, honouring us as the #1 restaurant on TripAdvisor for two consecutive years and recognising us among the top 100 UK Indian Restaurants. These accolades, which we view as a blessing, stem from our unparalleled authenticity, unwavering commitment to excellence, and our relaxed dining environment where guests can discover new flavours without feeling rushed.
The Késarum journey has been one of continuous growth and learning. In the years since our founding, we've evolved from humble beginnings to create a space where culinary exploration thrives. Our kitchen has become a laboratory for research and experimentation, particularly focused on transforming authentic non-vegetarian Indian dishes into exceptional vegan versions while navigating the complexities of seasonal menus.
This evolution hasn't happened overnight. It represents countless hours of detailed work, persistent refinement, and a steadfast refusal to settle for mediocrity. Excellence is our standard—not as an abstract ideal, but as a daily practice that has earned the trust of our guests. The partnership between Mahésh and our head chef, formed through a mutual acquaintance, has been fundamental to this success, bringing together technical expertise and genuine passion that drives our culinary innovation.
Our Commitment
Our sustainability practices reflect our core values, with nearly all kitchen scraps transformed into achaar (Indian fermented pickle) or kimchi, minimising waste while maximising flavour. This commitment extends to our carefully curated wine pairings, which complement each dish and offer a glimpse into a tasting menu experience in a relaxed setting. Our wine selection process is meticulous—we spend hours scrutinising every element of every plate and every contender for the wine list until we finalise the perfect pairings.
At Késarum, we believe good food is simply good food, whether plant-based or not. While we respect everyone's freedom to choose what they eat, we invite you to experience how even one day of plant-based dining can positively impact your wellbeing and internal chemistry.
Every element on your plate and in your glass has been thoughtfully considered to create a harmonious journey for your senses. We welcome you to join us as we continue to explore the vibrant diversity of Indian cuisine through our plant-based creations, and we thank you for being part of our story. As we navigate the challenges of the current economic climate, we remain committed to our vision, evolving one day at a time while staying true to the principles that define us.