Ben (Southampton) wrote on 8 September 2010

Had a fantastic experience at Indian Melody this evening. Food was fresh and packed with flavor and the recommended dishes by the owner were great! Loved the decor and the vibe of the restaurant. Will definitely be going again.

Murali & Sindhu (Southampton) wrote on 8 September 2010

We have visited this restaurant recently and had a fantastic food. It is a proper south Indian vegetarian restaurant.

We had Soft Dosa, Vegi fried rice and Bhel Puri... everything was fantastic, freshly cooked.

Restaurant atmosphere is homely. Finally we have a pure vegi south Indian restaurant in Southampton, instead of going to Reading or London.

We will definitely visit again and highly recommend to anyone fancy good Indian Vegetarian food.

Chintan (Chichester) wrote on 30 August 2010

Great food in the heart of Southampton. Everything from starters to main dishes to buttermilk was great. Definitely worth a visit. Gobi Manchurian was amazing so was the Fried Rice.... Staff was very friendly and welcoming esp Ram. Surely now on our list of regulars...

Jon and Sharon Brown (Winchester, UK) wrote on 24 August 2010

We came across this amazing restaurant by accident when looking online for somewhere we could eat dosas in Southampton, and we're so very glad we found it.

There hasn't been a pure vegetarian restaurant in Hampshire for years. Sure, there are a couple of veggie cafes, but no proper restaurant for a long time, so Indian Melody's arrival is very welcome. Add to that the fact that it serves proper Indian food (not the overly greasy Anglicised gloop served in so many high street tandoori restaurants) and Indian Melody has instantly become our favourite restaurant.

The decor and style is very homely, the whole restaurant is immaculately clean, the prices are very reasonable and best of all, the food and drink was deeeeeelicious! Two of us, plus our 7 year old son had three courses and drinks and the bill was just £40.

We met Ram, the owner, who was passionate about vegetarianism and the natural environment as well as his business. We'll definitely be making the trip back to Indian Melody very soon and will be taking as many veggie and carnivorous friends with us as we can round up.

Vineet Dwivedi (Southampton) wrote on 12 August 2010

I'm a North Indian(New Delhi) who had lived in Chennai(South India) for 5 yrs sometime back. The ambience of the place and the typical carnatic music took me back to my earlier days in Chennai. The food was typical South Indian food which was delicious and fresh. The South Indian Thali(with six curries,rice and puri) was excellent and the Dosa and Idli were tasty as well.

I also liked the though put in the presentation of the place(even the plates/thali belong to Chennai). The staff was very friendly and accomodating. Also, I liked the antics which also represents the era of the Indian culture and the British Raj in India.

Would definately visit the resturant again..!!

Lucy (Southampton) wrote on 11 August 2010

I recently visited this restaurant for the first time recently and would recommend it to anyone! The food was all cooked freshly to order so it did take slightly longer than average but everything was well worth the wait. We ordered various dishes to share between 4 of us and all of them were delicious. Unlike some vegetarian dishes in other restaurants, each dish had a unique taste and the menu featured a lot of things I have never tried in any other restaurant.

The staff were friendly and happy to recommend dishes to try. We followed several of the suggestions and were glad we did. The food was very good value and we enjoyed everything. I would also definitely recommend the restaurant to non-vegetarians, I was the only vegetarian in our group and everyone else enjoyed the meal as much as I did.

I really hope this restaurant does well in Southampton, we will definitely be back!

Charles (Winchester) wrote on 9 August 2010

We had a meal at Indian Melody on Saturday evening. The food was delicious. The Masala Dosas were simply tremendous. All ingredients were fresh and, when cooked well, there's little that can beat Indian vegetarian.

The decor of the restaurant is delightful - furniture brought back from family homes in India by the owner, some of it making a return trip having been made in England.

If you're looking for slick service by starched-shirted waiters in waistcoats Indian Melody isn't for you. On the other hand, if you're looking to eat excellent reasonably-priced food in a friendly atmosphere that gives a real touch of India, it's as good as you'll get.

john (harrow) wrote on 1 August 2010

i go to this fabulous restaruant very frequently, and the review mentioned below is utter refuse, vindictive and vicious. this paul fellow obviously knows nothing about indian vegetarian food, and to have the audacity to say that the food lacks taste and authenticity is a personal attack and insult on the restaurant and the hard working people and owners that endevour to please the customers, and an insult to India. The food is freshly made, with fresh ingredients and NO PREPACKED STUFF. This paul is free to donate expensive glassware to the restaurant. I have always found the service excellent and attentive to detail, the workers of the restaurant are always clean and well dressed. I look forward to my next visit to this restaurant.

Judith Petersen (Berkshire) wrote on 31 July 2010

This is a truly first class showcase of some of the gastronomic delights that India has to offer. For far too long we Brits have been patronized by restaurants, and the greasy one-dimensional fare that masquerades as Indian food has become ubiquitous. This brave new restaurant is a welcome corrective to this and it bears out the owner's belief that the British diner deserves more.
I feasted on some of the delights from the a la carte menu, along with some of my meat-eating friends for the first time. We were all taken by surprise so delicious were the culinary offerings. Our palates were regaled by aromatic multi-layered flavours sometimes combined with unexpected but wonderfully different textures. This is authentic home cooking served in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with little of the austere formality that many Europeans have come to expect. I welcomed the very slightly haphazard service, which complemented the authentic Indian food beautifully.
Lastly, the open kitchen puts paid to any media-stoked hygiene concerns one might harbour, and it's good value for money to boot.

Paul Carré (Twyford ) wrote on 31 July 2010

I decided to visit this restaurant after receiving a flyer advertising their extensive menu. I was impressed by the variety of different Indian vegetarian meals. My Wife is a vegetarian so I thought I would book a table for two.

our visit was far from impressive. The waiter that greeted us was flustered and bumbled through his waiter impersonation, telling us that he always dressed casually on Saturdays only to appear 5 minutes later wearing a shirt that needed ironing and the remnants from Fridays menu on the tie.

We ordered drinks and the waiter bought me my beer and forgot the water for my wife. The glass that was used was something you could purchase from Ikea for pennies or pick up for free from a garage.

The food that we ordered whether it was starter main or side dish appeared as and when it was cooked, the main dished lacked taste and authenticity, and we were definitely not "wowed" by the dishes as the waiter promised us.

I don't normally do reviews but I feel so disappointed having wasted an evening and money in this restaurant.

Amanda (Southampton) wrote on 22 July 2010

A group of 4 of us visited this restaurant last night, after having been there before and had a great meal. However, after 2 and a half hours, we left, having not received our main meal. The service was appalling - extremely slow and very inattentive. There was not even the excuse that the place was busy!! Our starter plates were never cleared away and after our initial drinks order, we were not asked (in 2 and a half hours!) if we wanted any more. We were incredibly disappointed, as the food on our previous visit had been excellent.

Jonathan Layzell (Bristol) wrote on 13 July 2010

I happened upon this restaurant by chance while out in Southampton on business and it was fantastic. I am not a vegetarian and would not have sought out this type of restaurant but I was enitirely converted. The decor and atmosphere was wonderful - very traditional with a hint of Imperial India. The owner was both enthusiastic, knowledgeable and passionate about the food which is freshly cooked and very different to the standard fayre replicated in Indian restaurants up and down the country.

A thoroughly enjoyable, and educational evening which I would definitely repeat.

Katherine (Southampton) wrote on 12 July 2010

I have been to the restaurant a few times and vow to take all my meat eating friends who think that vegetarian food is boring. The food is delightful and so diverse. On my first visit I tried the special dosa and I think it was almost as long as I am tall (admittedly I am not the tallest girl around)! It is just so wonderful to have a dedicated vegetarian restaurant in Southampton, particularly one with such enthusiastic owners who believe so strongly in quality ingredients, freshly prepared food and vegetarianism. Forget about the oily, salty food you may assume synonymous with Indian restaurants in the UK, try this one instead, you will not be disappointed!!!

Rosie (Southampton) wrote on 8 July 2010

I have been here several times now, I can truly say I have not had a better Indian meal, or quite possibly a better veggie dining experience. We were a group of 12 so they very politely asked us to give them our starters/mains in advance so they could get it all out fresh. Service was brilliant, the price was more than reasonable and the owner has a fantastic personality,he completely embodies vegetarian ethics.
I took meat eaters who were amazed and friends who had travelled India, all left satisfied and wanting more. I cannot recommend them enough!

kerrie blake (hedge end) wrote on 13 June 2010

Wow this was an amazing food experience ! We certainly were not disappointed with our choice of restaurant.
The staff were very friendly and polite. The choice of food was amazing and the very enthusiastic manager Ram helped recommend some excellent dishes.
An all round fabulous evening.

Jacqueline Pye (Southampton) wrote on 27 May 2010

We had a great experience with the buffet. Ram asked if we would like to make up our own Thali or leave it to him (which we chose). He told us that there is a dedicated vegan chef, and any dish can be made to be vegan using soya milk or coconut. He is extremely enthusiastic about his venture.

Ram made up our dishes, and as these were presented we were told the name of each dish. Service was quick and courteous, and we very much enjoyed the meal complete with puri, poppadom, and small dessert. The buffet is just under £7 per person, and drinks are reasonable too, so buffet for two, with a pint of lager and a 175ml glass of wine, came to just under £20. My only suggestion is that the metal Thali dishes were not warmed, so the food was not hot when served. We will certainly be visiting again, next time trying the extensive main menu.

Ramesh. Sharma (Harrow) wrote on 23 May 2010

Attitude of staff: well mannered, smiling face, welcoming, well dressed and well explained about different items.
Quality of food: I have never had such an excellent quality Indian vegetarian food and I really felt that I was in India and pleasantly surprised with the open kitchen.
Atmosphere: relaxed, soothing classical music, pleasant and British Taj out look
Price guide: very reasonable.

Robert (Southampton) wrote on 20 May 2010

I visited today for the first time, thinking I would try the lunchtime buffet. What a mistake. The worst food experience for many a year. maybe its better in the evenings. Maybe not. First, the service was awaful or non existant. I was shown to the so called buffet. I was not told what any of the dishes were. I was left by myself to guess. And I was given a tray with tiny little dishes on and told to help myself. I thought it was a joke. And my drinks order never arrived. A pity tho because the food was essentially quite nice if only there was rather more and if I knew what I was eating and i they had bothered to give me a plate. is it too much to walk into a restaurant and be given a plate. Then stupid me actually paid for the so called meal. The owners need to learn how to communicate, they need to make the buffet area more attractive, they need to keep the food hot, they need to tell people what is on offer and they need to buy some plates. Yes it may be lunchtime but not all vegetarians have bird like appetites. Biggest waste of my seven pounds.

Mahesh and Harsha (Eastleigh) wrote on 17 May 2010

Very Friendly Owner, Pure Vegetarian Food , Nicely cooked and the Flavours were just right. Its nice to have a pure vegetarian restaurant in Southampton , would highly recommend to visit. Wishing them all the success.

Sasha Gomez (Southampton) wrote on 15 May 2010

I have been to the Indian Melody restaurant 4 times so far, and each time has been a splendid experience. There is so much to chose from the menu, I've had a different meal each time and they've all be fab!
I was last there on the thursday that the previous comment was based on and I could not DISAGREE more. The service was wonderful, friendly, exquisite food that was cooked perfectly and tasted so fresh.
I strongly recommend this restaurant to vegeterians and all people who love GOOD QUALITY indian food, it is a lovely little restaurant and I'll be going there again soon!

sue onosey (southampton) wrote on 13 May 2010

I have visited this restaurant 3 times and I am afraid after my last experience I will not be going again. Being my birthday I took my daughter and grandaughter. Despite requesting the food mild - it was too hot and bitter for us - we left the majority of curries which were more like chutneys and some were very watery. The service was chaotic and we were overcharged. I am so disappointed as a vegetarian I so wanted this restaurant to be a success - Please please listen to your customers and write down their food choices don't leave it to memory.

mahesh bharrathann (restaruant connection) (Restaurant Connection) wrote on 8 May 2010

thank you all for the great reviews. hope to see you again soon!!

Judith Blake (Southampton) wrote on 8 May 2010

The food was exquisite, mainly south Indian, staff incredibly friendly. Owner Ram has created a wonderful atmosphere for us to enjoy the really good vegetarian and vegan food.

Julian Harrow (Southampton) wrote on 7 May 2010

This is simply the best Indian restaurant I have eaten at. Fresh authentic food, friendly welcoming staff, open kitchen and totally vegetarian. Fantastic. And great puddings.

Steve (Southampton) wrote on 4 May 2010

Have been waiting for the Indian Melody to open for some time, wow, worth the wait. Ram and his staff are so good, taking time to explain the menu and the ingredients. The food is excellent and the prices refreshingling sensible in this, 'must be expensive 'cause we're trendy' age.
I'll eat half a cow, however, the vegatable dishes in this predominately South Indian style are really delicious and very filling.
It will take the family many visits to explore all they have to offer and yes, that is notice 'we will be back'. Thanks.

Jonathan Newell (Southampton) wrote on 4 May 2010

Hi,

My Wife and I have seen this Restaurant develop over the last few months while they have been fitting it out.

Two Sundays ago we had lunch, excellent decor and service. The food was of a high standard and they hadn't even officially opened.

we will be coming back soon!!

Sue Onosey (Netley Abbey, Southampton) wrote on 28 April 2010

Myself and non veggie friend had lunch. The food was superb - fresh, aromatic and with unique wonderful flavours.
The ambiance is great, you don't feel cooped in plenty of room, the decor interesting and stylish.
The staff were very helpful without being pushy.
I do hope this restaurant achieves the success it deserves.

Ram Bharrathann (Restaurant Connection) wrote on 12 December 2009

Hampshire First Vegetarian Indian Restaurant.
Opens Mid January 2010. Great Menu with a unique historical atmosphere
of the British Raj in the 1920's