Kerala Zone is an unassuming but very impressive Southern Indian restaurant, serving a variety of tasty vegetarian, chicken, lamb and seafood dishes.

The Venue
Kerala Zone is a small and dimly lit restaurant, with dark wooden furniture and small lacquered tables. The richly coloured space is packed quite neatly with diners and the walls are moderately decorated with waxy leaved plants and gold-embroidered hangings. The decor is slightly shabby around the edges, but very comfortable, welcoming and clean. Even the leather-bound menus are polished.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is warm and upbeat. There is a loyal local crowd of diners, and the tables are steadily occupied. It is especially busy near the end of the week. The staff is very attentive, smiling and welcoming and answer any questions you may have about the menu: it is a family run enterprise. Background music plays unobtrusively and groups chat easily over their food. It can grow quite warm and the windows can steam up, as a lot of the food is heated on the tables.

The Food
The cuisine is particular to the Kerala region of India and is largely spicy and creamy, with a vegetarian emphasis. A broad range of starters and main courses are on offer, as well as side dishes and breads. Expected Indian specialities such as samosas, chicken tikka, kormas and biryanis are available but the house also has its own specialities, such as roast masala chicken and meat thali.

The wonderfully mild maahi chicken korma is one to order if you prefer your Indian low on spice: saffron and delicate spices flavour tender chicken fillets, simmered in a yoghurt sauce. With a serving of fresh kerala lemon rice and a side dish of kadala, a medium spicy chickpea dish with coconut and fresh coriander, it might just become a favourite. The food is evidently cooked in-house, with a definite flair and subtlety. Prices are low to mid range, and a full main with bread or rice can be had for under £10. The vadakan paratha stuffed bread, similar to peshwari naan, is highly recommended: richer than naan, it tastes pan fried, and is packed full of coconut, cashews and dried fruit. You could almost have it for dessert! As well as in-house dining, the food is also a popular take away.

The Drink
A solid menu of red and white wines is available and bottled beer such as Cobra is on offer. Soft drinks and mineral water can be had too, and are recommended to accompany the spicier dishes. If you order food to take away, a complimentary bottle of wine is delivered with orders for £40 or more, and soft drinks with orders of £20 plus.

The Last Word
The Kerala Zone is a hidden gem of Southern Indian cuisine in South East London. Quality, authentic cuisine is mixed with a warm welcome -- and low prices – highly recommended.

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