Kaveri - Modern Indian kitchen and bar — Restaurant in Colchester

I tried this place after seeing decent reviews and a couple recommendations but I will NOT be returning.

I’ll start off by saying the ONLY reason I’m giving any stars for this place was our lovely waiter Sowmi - he was attentive and kind and did the best he could to compensate for a pretty terrible overall dining experience. They offered us a poppadam starter plate which was nice.

This place is far far from authentic, maybe my view is skewed as I’m South Indian myself. This restaurant is NOT made for native South Indians - anyone writing authentic in these reviews clearly has absolutely no idea what true authenticity is.

The starters were small portions and took a long time to come out. I’m not fussed about plating and decor if u can’t deliver in reasonable time, can’t just sit your guests with a tiny bit of poppadom and expect them to wait 45 minutes for their first starter to come. We got gobi 65, chilli prawn, chilli chicken, nethili fry, nadan chicken and chicken lollipop. The lady who came with the food didn’t even know the names of the dishes she brought out which was a bit embarrassing. Most starters were decent with a little bit flavour but the nethili fry was fully boned not dry nethili, and the chicken lollipop had a mere 3 pieces with chutney to fill the rest of the empty plate. We were table of four how are you making us pay £7 for three bites of chicken. These lollipops were SOO small. A little disappointing but not a bad start overall. They cleared our starter plates THEN took our main order, for which they made us wait 60 MINUTES for the food to come out!!!. And for the delay the excuse was they thought we were still eating starters … we sat at an empty table with no food nor any drinks for SO LONG. after a long wait for our food it finally came out and it was very mediocre. Authentic is NOT what I call that. It was white washed Indian curry if I’m honest. Biryani meat was interesting, wouldn’t call that Lamb. Rita was creamy with no onions or anything. This makes it just yoghurt. The curry was heavy with tomato puree and was deemed spicy but was very oily and bland. Paper Dosa was fine but can’t really go wrong there. Plates were again small. Paneer dosa was a JOKE, no seasoning just plain paneer with ZERO seasoning inside a dosa??? Crazy. Overall, food was alright for a semi average Indian in Colchester but if u want authenticity, drive 45 mins into east London and you’ll get better food and you’d probs get home quicker. I wasted 3 hours at the restaurant and I spent about 30 minutes eating altogether. Please don’t be fooled by these reviews as the lady who took payment ASKED us to leave a 5 star review and I thought she was joking… she mocked it !!!! after that experience you couldn’t seriously ask me for 5 stars could you? ….

I came here for my birthday dinner and left feeling unfulfilled and went straight to Sainsburys to get some ice cream lol. Didn’t wanna wait another 30 mins for dessert LOL

Tip for the restaurant - CUT down the amount of time you take decorating and just bring out the food!! Next time take the whole order in one go not in parts - no one wants to be sat in your restaurant...

A Delightful Culinary Journey Nestled in the heart of our vibrant town, kaveri has quickly become a culinary gem, offering an authentic and flavorful exploration of Indian cuisine. From the moment you step through the doors, the warm and inviting ambiance envelops you, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Tantalizing Flavors from the Subcontinent The menu at kaveri is a masterful blend of traditional and contemporary Indian dishes, each meticulously crafted to tantalize the taste buds. The chefs have a remarkable talent for balancing spices, creating dishes that are both bold and nuanced. Whether you opt for the succulent smoky laal mass, the aromatic biryani, or the mouthwatering vegetarian delights, every bite is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of India.

Mocktails and cocktails that Delight the Senses Complementing the exceptional food is an impressive selection of mocktails that are sure to captivate your senses. The skilled mixologists at kaveri have crafted a range of refreshing and innovative concoctions that perfectly complement the flavors of the cuisine.

One particular standout is the "Hot Lush," a delightful blend of fresh mango puree, Coconut cream, and a hint of spicy masala. This mocktail is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and subtly spiced, making it an ideal accompaniment to the rich and flavorful dishes. Impeccable Service and Ambiance Beyond the exceptional food and drinks, kaveri excels in providing a warm and welcoming ambiance. The decor is a tasteful fusion of traditional Indian elements and modern touches, creating a space that is both inviting and visually appealing.

The service staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about ensuring that each guest has a memorable dining experience. They are happy to guide you through the menu, offering recommendations.

A Culinary Gem in Our Town In a town where dining options abound, kaveri has quickly established itself as a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an authentic and flavorful Indian culinary experience. With its exceptional food, creative mocktails, and warm hospitality, this restaurant is a true gem that deserves to be celebrated. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur of Indian cuisine or a curious new comer, kaveri promises to take you on a delightful journey through the vibrant flavors of the subcontinent.

For sure will be back with...

Visited yesterday with my wife and a friend. we were looking forward to this one and we were not disappointed. the food and presentation is a cut above anywhere else in Colchester right now. The menu has many of the classics you might expect but also has a layer of amazing and innovative dishes that are very much their own. you can find the full menu online but I'm going to highlight a couple of items which I thought were stupendous.

The coconut mutton fry. This was a starter and was absolutely delicious. The owner chatting with us at one point confirmed that they use Indian coconuts which are apparently have a different flavour palette to the ones we are used to from elsewhere.

Dalcha Ghost. A lamb and lentil main course which I thought looked a bit worthy when it showed up but was just cooked to perfection.

Hyderabaddi Chicken Biriyani. It was the rice that kicked this one up a notch, awesome texture and again well seasoned.

Garlic paratha. Just really well done.

The Dosa selection is good but don't expect the huge wavelike spur pancake that is found in many South Indian and Sri Lankam food outlets. These are smaller and more akin to a western pancake. EDIT : My mistake, the classic style Dosa IS available on the menu as a 'Paper Dosa' and was exceptionally good!

The presentation of the food throughout alluded to that which you might find in a restaurant serving nouveau cuisine with artful food layouts in quality dishes with decent but not overgenerous portions.

Not super cheap eats but definitely reasonable prices across the board and attentive friendly service.

100% would recommend and will...