Madras Flavours Pure Indian Vegetarian Restaurant — Restaurant in Reading

I have been having my lunch here for last few weeks and my regular Madras Thali was usually satisfying my needs and while I was getting on with it, this happened. I mean "Tamil New Year"

Luckily in UK it's not a public holiday, therefore I came in to have my usual lunch Madras Thali and I was surprised to find out the restaurant has a special item. I am glad I jumped in and opted it.

They called Vaazhai Ilai virundhu (literally Banana Leaf Feast).

Where can I start. Check out the picture. It only cost 15£ and so many varieties.

I was so hungry and when so many items landed in front of me I was really confused where to start. Do you think there should be an order?

Since I had no idea what some of them were (until I tasted), I think I mixed up. I wish they gave me the food in an order/ sequence than all at once.

OK I get it they are too busy, so I better grow up?

Here is my actual review how I found this Tamil new year banana leaf feast.

Mushroom Biriyani: Very nice and had a good taste. 👍

Vellari thayir pachadi: Cucumber yoghurt salad: Nice. I have used it as a side dish for Biryani? If that's what they are meant for?

Vadai: Excellent. It was very crispy on the outside and very soft on the inside. Perfect 👌

Gulkhand with Curd: I never ate this before in this way and didn't understand why it was alongside the Biriyani. So I ate it like a dessert? It was ok.

Chakkara Pongal: Was very authentic with raisins and cashews. Excellent.

Vathal Kozhambu: Excellent. I did miss this for a long time and glad it was part of this meal.

Thovayal: Very nice 👌 I just didn't understand the ingredients but it was nice addition.

Fresh cut Mango pickle: Excellent choice to be a part of this lunch.

Gongura thokku: It was not necessary as this is Tamil new year not telugu.

Sambar: Excellent

Malabar Aviyal: If I had to choose one negative of the whole list then this will be the one. Reason? The vegetables were not 100% cooked in Aviyal. But it's OK let's not blame them as all other items were very good.

Mambaza Pulisery: Being honest, this is the first time I tried this in my entire life. It tasted like thin version of Panchamirtham. Very nice.

Kappa kizhangu Pirattal: OK

Beans Paruppu Usili: Nice. With coconut it tasted very good.

Cauliflower Chops Masala: Excellent taste. It would have been perfect with your regular Chapati in your Madras Thali if offered.

Chekka Pradhaman: First time in my life I ate this. Interesting taste.

Basundhi: Excellent taste.

Ponni rice, Rasam, Thalicha more: all good

Javvarisi Vadagam: You forgot to give me???

Summary: It's now my one of my usual Vegetarian restaurant for my Thali lunch.

Well done to the whole chef team preparing these...

Located in the heart of the city, Madras Flavour offers a culinary journey through South India that is nothing short of delightful. From the moment you step in, the warm ambiance and the aroma of spices welcome you, setting the tone for a memorable dining experience.

Ambiance: Madras Flavour exudes a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere, with traditional South Indian decor elements that transport you straight to the streets of Chennai. The clean and comfortable seating arrangement makes it an ideal spot for both casual dining and special occasions.

Service: The staff at Madras Flavour are courteous and attentive, ensuring that every guest feels welcomed and well taken care of. The service is prompt, and the waitstaff are knowledgeable about the menu, always ready to offer recommendations and accommodate special requests.

Food: The highlight of Madras Flavour is, without a doubt, the food. The menu is extensive, featuring a variety of dishes from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Here are some must-try items:

Dosa Varieties: Their dosas are crisp and perfectly cooked, with a range of fillings that cater to all tastes. The masala dosa is particularly noteworthy, served with an array of chutneys and a piping hot bowl of sambar. Biryani: The Chettinad Chicken Biryani is a star on the menu, rich in spices and flavors, with tender pieces of chicken that melt in your mouth. Vegetarian Delights: Vegetarians will be spoiled for choice with options like the Avial, a mixed vegetable curry in coconut gravy, and the Paneer Ghee Roast, which is a delectable treat. Desserts: End your meal on a sweet note with traditional desserts like Payasam or the melt-in-your-mouth Mysore Pak. Value for Money: Madras Flavour offers a great value for the quality and quantity of food served. The prices are reasonable, making it a perfect place for family dinners or a meal out with friends.

Conclusion: Madras Flavour is a gem for anyone looking to savor authentic South Indian cuisine. With its inviting ambiance, excellent service, and mouth-watering dishes, it promises a dining experience that will leave you coming back for more. Whether you're a South Indian food aficionado or a curious first-timer, Madras Flavour is...

I am writing this feedback based on my latest experience on 12th July 2025. I took my family and friends for a good and yummy South Indian food to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. There are few good things and lots of not so good things about this place. Let’s start with service- they took 17mins to come to our table to take order. Even after twice requesting them to switch on the AC they literally ignored. Third time lucky. The food was served one after another and not in one go. So ultimately the last food was served after 55 minutes since the order was placed . Well we had to request them to serve earlier because each dish was served after a gap of 7-8 minutes . You can imagine how that goes in a group who came to eat together not in silo.

Next food quality - I would not recommend anyone if they are looking for a clean and tasty South Indian meal. But if you are hungry just go grab something from here and move on. Masala dosa / Rava dosa and the chutney was tasteless. My kids and others didn’t like the food.

Atmosphere in the restaurant is in one word very noisy . You have to talk loud in this place to be heard. Even the sound from the kitchen was loud. Not for us.

Staff - they were polite and respectful. I think this place is a chaos because they served a completely different dish to our table and for a moment they didn’t believe it was not ours.

Overall, if you are craving for tasty South Indian food this is not the place. But If you like railway station like noisy place and quick...