The Kerala

Tucked away in Reigate, The Kerala brings the vibrant, spice-laden cooking of India's southwestern coast to this corner of Surrey. This relative newcomer has already earned a spotless reputation, maintaining a flawless five-star record from its earliest customers. The kitchen draws on age-old family recipes, with an emphasis on coconut, curry leaves, and the gentle heat of black pepper rather than the heavy cream and butter of northern curries. For anyone who's tired of the same old korma and tikka masala, this is a revelation.

The menu is a masterclass in regional depth. Don't miss the Kerala-style fish curry, where tilapia simmers in a tangy, tamarind-tinged gravy, or the lamb pepper fry, a dry, intensely spiced stir-fry that begs for a side of flaky parotta. The chef knows his way around vegetarian cooking too, with an avial that's packed with market vegetables and finished with a tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves. Every dish arrives fragrant, fresh, and far from formulaic. Order direct through their website for a meal that tastes like a holiday in Kerala, right in the heart of Reigate.