Walking into an Indian restaurant for the first time can be exciting — but the menu can also feel overwhelming.
Korma. Dosa. Porotta. Biryani. Sambar. Masala.
What do they mean? How spicy will everything be? How many dishes should you order? Do you need rice and bread? And what should you choose if you don’t like very hot food?
The first thing to know is simple:
There is no single thing called “Indian food”.
India has an extraordinary collection of regional cuisines, each shaped by its geography, religion, history, climate and local ingredients.
At Kerala Canteen in Leeds, we specialise in the food of Kerala on India’s south-western coast.
So if you’re trying Indian food — or specifically Kerala food — for the first time, this guide will help you order confidently and, hopefully, discover something you didn’t expect to love.
First: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
The best Indian restaurants want you to understand their food.
- If you don’t recognise something on the menu, ask.
- If you’re unsure about spice levels, ask.
- If you’ve never tried a particular ingredient, tell the team.
- And if you have an allergy or dietary requirement, always mention it before ordering.
You don’t need to understand every Indian culinary term before walking through the door.
Part of the fun is discovering them.
Indian Food Isn’t Just Curry
One of the biggest misconceptions about Indian restaurants is that you simply choose a curry, rice and naan.
That’s only one small part of an enormous food culture.
Depending on the region and restaurant, an Indian menu might include:
- Small plates and snacks
- Grilled meats
- Seafood
- Dosa
- Idli
- Biryani
- Vegetable dishes
- Lentil dishes
- Curries
- Rice
- Regional breads
- Pickles and chutneys
- Desserts
At Kerala Canteen, we encourage first-time diners to explore several dishes rather than committing to just one.
That’s the thinking behind our Kerala tapas approach.
What Is Indian Tapas?
Indian tapas is a contemporary way of describing smaller Indian dishes designed to be shared.
The word tapas is Spanish rather than Indian, but the idea of sharing several dishes around a table is completely natural to Indian dining culture.
At Kerala Canteen, our Kerala tapas format makes regional Indian food particularly accessible for beginners.
Instead of wondering whether you’ve chosen the “right” main course, order a few different dishes for the table.
- Taste.
- Share.
- Discover.
Then order more of whatever you love.
What Should I Order at an Indian Restaurant for the First Time?
If you’re completely new to Indian food, don’t try to understand the entire menu.
Think about building your meal around contrast.
You want something crispy, something fresh or tangy, perhaps something from the grill, a curry, rice or bread, and different spice levels.
For two people at Kerala Canteen, a great introduction could look something like this:
Start with 2–3 Kerala tapas dishes to share.
Then choose:
- One curry bowl + rice or Kerala porotta.
- If you’re still hungry, add another dish.
- And leave room for dessert.
This allows you to experience several flavours without ordering too much at once.
Start with Something Familiar — Then Get Adventurous
If you’re nervous about ordering unfamiliar food, begin with an ingredient you already know.
Chicken is a perfect example.
Trivandrum Fried Chicken
Our Trivandrum Fried Chicken is a great gateway into Kerala flavours.
It’s familiar enough to feel comfortable but introduces you to the spices and character of South Indian cooking.
Trivandrum — officially Thiruvananthapuram — is also Bobby Geetha’s hometown in Kerala, giving the dish a personal connection to Kerala Canteen’s story.
Once you’ve tried something familiar, add something you wouldn’t normally order.
That’s where things get interesting.
Try Curry Leaf Calamari
If you enjoy calamari, try our Crispy Curry Leaf Calamari.
Kerala has an extensive coastline, making fish and seafood an important part of its food culture.
Curry leaves are equally important.
Fresh curry leaves have a distinctive fragrance and flavour and appear throughout South Indian cooking.
So one small plate introduces you to two important characteristics of Kerala cuisine at once:
Seafood + curry leaves.
If You Like Lamb, Try Green Pepper Lamb Chops
Kerala has an extraordinary historical relationship with spices, particularly black pepper.
Our Green Pepper Lamb Chop puts pepper at the centre of the dish.
It’s a useful reminder that Indian food isn’t simply about chilli.
Pepper can provide warmth, fragrance and complexity without creating the same sensation as chilli heat.
Vegetarians Shouldn’t Feel Limited
Indian cuisine is one of the easiest cuisines to explore as a vegetarian.
You don’t need to settle for a single token vegetarian curry.
At Kerala Canteen, dishes such as Chilli & Tamarind Cauliflower, Paneer Pepper Fry, Mini Broccoli Masala Dosa, Kerala Chutney Podi Potatoes and vegetable curries allow vegetarian diners to experience very different flavours and textures.
Kerala’s extensive use of vegetables, lentils, rice, coconut and spices also means the cuisine has deep plant-based traditions.
What Is Dosa?
If you’ve never tried a dosa, put it on your list.
A dosa is a savoury South Indian preparation traditionally made from fermented rice-and-lentil batter.
It can be crisp, thin and filled with different ingredients, often accompanied by chutneys or sambar.
At Kerala Canteen, our Mini Broccoli Masala Dosa gives first-time diners an easy way to experience this South Indian favourite as part of a wider selection of dishes.
What Are Idli and Sambar?
These are two more words you’ll frequently encounter when exploring South Indian food.
Idli are soft steamed savoury cakes traditionally made from fermented rice and lentils.
Sambar is a comforting lentil-based preparation containing vegetables, tamarind and spices.
Together they’re among the classic combinations of South Indian food.
At Kerala Canteen, our Fried Idli & Butternut Sambar gives that familiar combination a contemporary interpretation.
What Is Biryani?
Biryani is one of India’s most celebrated rice dishes.
Rather than simply serving curry over plain rice, biryani brings rice, spices and other ingredients together to create a complete dish with layers of aroma and flavour.
At Kerala Canteen, our Slow Cooked Beef Shin Biryani is an excellent choice if you want something substantial and deeply comforting.
What Is Kerala Porotta?
If you’ve only ever ordered naan with Indian food, try something different.
Kerala porotta is a flaky, layered flatbread that’s hugely popular in Kerala.
Tear a piece off with your hands and use it to scoop up curry.
One of our favourite combinations is:
Beef & Bone Marrow Curry + Kerala Porotta.
- Simple.
- Messy.
- Delicious.
And a very good introduction to Kerala comfort food.
How Spicy Is Indian Food?
This may be the number-one concern for first-time diners.
But here’s the important distinction:
- Spiced doesn’t necessarily mean spicy.
- Indian cooking uses spices for many different reasons.
- Cardamom can add fragrance.
- Turmeric brings earthiness.
- Black pepper creates warmth.
- Tamarind provides sourness.
- Curry leaves contribute aroma.
- Coconut can soften and enrich.
- Chilli provides heat.
A well-made Indian dish isn’t simply trying to make your mouth burn.
It’s trying to create balance.
If you’re sensitive to chilli, tell the restaurant team and ask which dishes are naturally milder rather than assuming every curry will be extremely hot.
Should I Order Rice or Bread with Curry?
Either.
Or both.
It depends entirely on how you like to eat.
Rice absorbs sauces beautifully and is central to South Indian cuisine.
Bread provides a completely different texture.
At Kerala Canteen, Basmati Rice works beautifully with curry, but we’d strongly recommend trying Kerala Porotta at least once.
If you’re sharing between two or more people, ordering rice and porotta lets everyone try both.
Can I Eat Indian Food with My Hands?
Absolutely.
In many Indian food traditions, eating certain dishes with your hands is completely normal.
A piece of porotta is practically designed for scooping curry.
Dosa can be torn and dipped.
Of course, use cutlery if that’s more comfortable.
There isn’t a test at the end.
Enjoy the food in whatever way makes you happiest.
How Many Indian Dishes Should Two People Order?
This depends on portion size and the style of restaurant.
At a sharing restaurant such as Kerala Canteen, a sensible starting point for two people is usually a selection of small plates followed by a curry with rice or bread.
Don’t feel you have to order the entire meal immediately.
Start with a few dishes.
If you’re still hungry, order more.
Sharing menus should feel relaxed rather than mathematical.
What Drinks Go with Indian Food?
Beer is an obvious classic, but Indian food can be fantastic with cocktails too.
At Kerala Canteen, we’ve taken ingredients associated with Kerala and incorporated them into familiar drinks.
If you like Margaritas, try our Gunpowder & Turmeric Margarita.
If Mojitos are your drink, discover our Tender Coconut & Ginger Mojito.
For something deeper, the Hibiscus & Jaggery Old Fashioned takes a whisky classic in a Kerala direction.
And the Canteen Star combines tropical flavours with ginger and jaggery.
Our alcohol-free mocktails follow the same philosophy, with drinks such as Mango Tango, Virgin Star, Tender Coconut Cooler and Ginger & Jaggery Nojito.
You don’t need alcohol to experience the spice-led side of our bar.
A Beginner’s Kerala Canteen Order
If Bobby Geetha were choosing an introductory meal for someone who had never experienced Kerala food before, the table might look something like this:
Trivandrum Fried Chicken
Start somewhere approachable.
Crispy Curry Leaf Calamari
Discover Kerala’s relationship with seafood and curry leaves.
Green Pepper Lamb Chop
Experience Kerala’s spice heritage through pepper.
Chilli & Tamarind Cauliflower
Add acidity, sweetness, spice and vegetables to the table.
Beef & Bone Marrow Curry
Then move into something rich and comforting.
Kerala Porotta
Tear, dip and scoop.
And instead of your usual drink?
Try a Gunpowder & Turmeric Margarita or one of our Kerala-inspired mocktails.
That’s not just dinner.
It’s a journey through different ingredients, textures and flavours.
What If I’ve Only Ever Had a Korma or Tikka Masala?
Perfect.
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying familiar British Indian restaurant favourites.
But they don’t represent the entirety of Indian food.
Think of your first visit to a regional Indian restaurant as the opportunity to discover what lies beyond them.
India is enormous.
The food of Kerala is different from Punjab.
Punjab is different from Bengal.
Bengal is different from Gujarat.
And within Kerala itself, cooking changes from one community, town and family to another.
You could spend a lifetime exploring Indian food and still have something new to eat.
That’s exactly what makes it exciting.
Why Try Kerala Food in Leeds?
Kerala Canteen was created around a very particular philosophy:
Authentic Kerala recipes. Outstanding British and Yorkshire produce. Contemporary dining.
Consultant Chef Bobby Geetha, known from MasterChef UK and BBC Great British Menu, represented Yorkshire & Humber on Great British Menu.
His cooking philosophy of combining exceptional regional British produce with authentic Indian spices, recipes and techniques became part of the foundation of Kerala Canteen.
Rather than westernising Kerala cuisine until it becomes unrecognisable, we want diners to experience the character that makes it special.
That might mean curry leaves.
- Black pepper.
- Coconut.
- Tamarind.
- Fermented dosa batter.
- Flaky porotta.
Or simply a flavour you’ve never experienced before.
Kerala Canteen has since been recognised among the Top 100 Indian Restaurants in the UK, but our purpose remains the same:
Help more people discover Kerala food.
First-Time Indian Food FAQ
What Indian food is best for beginners?
There isn’t one universal beginner dish. Start with ingredients you already enjoy and order several dishes with different flavours. At Kerala Canteen, Trivandrum Fried Chicken, Curry Leaf Calamari, Mini Broccoli Masala Dosa and a curry with Kerala Porotta make an accessible introduction.
Is Indian food always spicy?
No. Indian food can be mild, aromatic, tangy, sweet, peppery or hot. Spiced does not automatically mean chilli-hot.
What should two people order at an Indian restaurant?
At a sharing-style restaurant, start with two or three smaller dishes, followed by a curry and rice or bread. You can always add another dish if you’re hungry.
What’s the difference between curry and biryani?
Curry generally refers to a dish cooked with a sauce or gravy, while biryani is a rice-based dish in which rice, spices and other ingredients form the centre of the preparation.
What is the best Indian bread for beginners?
Naan is widely known in Britain, but different Indian regions have their own breads. When eating Kerala food, try Kerala porotta, a flaky layered flatbread that’s particularly good with curry.
Is Indian food good for vegetarians?
Yes. India’s culinary traditions include an enormous range of vegetarian foods based around vegetables, lentils, pulses, rice, breads, dairy, coconut, spices and other ingredients.
What is South Indian food?
South Indian food refers broadly to cuisines from southern India, including the distinctive regional traditions of Kerala and neighbouring states. Rice, lentils, coconut, curry leaves, dosa, idli and sambar are among ingredients and dishes commonly associated with southern Indian food, although traditions vary enormously by region.
Where can I try Indian food for the first time in Leeds?
If you want to explore regional South Indian and Kerala food in Leeds, Kerala Canteen specialises in Kerala-inspired small plates, curries, biryanis, breads and spice-led cocktails and mocktails.
Trying Indian Food for the First Time? Remember These Five Things
Don’t assume all Indian food tastes the same.
Spiced doesn’t necessarily mean hot.
Order several dishes and share them.
Try a regional bread instead of automatically ordering naan.
And most importantly:
Order at least one thing you’ve never heard of.
You might not love everything.
That’s part of discovering a new cuisine.
But somewhere between your first bite of Curry Leaf Calamari, tearing into a flaky porotta and wondering why someone put turmeric and gunpowder masala salt on your Margarita, you may realise that Indian food is much bigger than the menu you thought you knew.
And that’s where the real journey starts.
Discover Indian Food in Leeds at Kerala Canteen
If you’re searching for Indian food for beginners, what to order at an Indian restaurant, Indian food in Leeds, South Indian restaurant Leeds, Kerala food Leeds, Indian tapas Leeds or simply somewhere different to eat in Leeds, come and explore Kerala Canteen.
Don’t worry about knowing what everything means.
That’s our job.
Come hungry. Ask questions. Share everything. Try something new.
Kerala Canteen, Leeds — Kerala in flavour. Yorkshire at heart.
