Coriander Lounge is on a mission to change the way people perceive Indian food, which is all too often associated with tikka masalas and kormas and nothing more. Instead, it champions dishes from a variety of regions across North India to offer diners a comprehensive view of its diverse cuisine. It’s located on the high street in Southampton’s city centre, where it opened originally in 2010.
Yes, you can find chicken and lamb tikka dishes on the menu for the die-hard traditionalists out there, but Coriander Lounge’s food extends far beyond the tried-and-tested classics. Alongside samosas and bhajis, examples of starters include aloo cheese tikki which sees mashed potato balls flavoured with spices, brie and roasted cashew nuts deep fried until crisp. Elsewhere, discover chicken cooked in a special chat masala powder with ketchup and coriander.
The menu also offers a broad range of mains, chef specials, thalis, biryanis, tandoori dishes, karai and parsi dishes as well as various breads and sides. Examples of signature creations include tamarind chicken cooked in a tandoor oven with chillies, garlic, tamarind, tomatoes and mustard seeds, ginger duck, mustard prawns and ghosh kalimirch which sees lamb sauteed with herbs, spiced and crushed peppercorns.
Another popular option is a thali which includes a selection of different curries served with bread and rice - a great option if you can't decide what to eat! Its vegetable thali, for example, includes a mushroom bhaji, bombay aloo, chana saag, tadka dal with rice and a mini naan.
The wine list includes a lengthy selection of red, white, rose and sparkling available by the glass, carafe or bottle, while a variety of classic cocktails and mocktails features plenty of favourites. There’s also a decent gin list, all of which are served with different garnishes and tonics, for those partial to a G&T.