Indian Melody

My Favourite - Edit

Posted by RuthMariaWrigley on 02 Jul 2017.

This is easily my favourite restaurant in Southampton. The atmosphere is lovely, the staff are really friendly and the food is fantastic. I've never had a bad meal there and the waitress was always willing to give suggestions. It has quite a relaxed feel to the place, with mis-matching furniture and tableware and an open kitchen so you can see and smell all the food being cooked. I've taken a number of friends there all of whom have enjoyed this quirky little restaurant.

Pros: The food, The open kitchen, The staff

Cons: N/A

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Very good - Edit

Posted by PlantBasedEverything on 14 May 2017.

Plenty of options for vegans.
Very tasty food, I have been to several indian restaurants, this is above average.

I would recommend trying their dosa, it's a sort of pancake filled with vegetables and mock meat.

The owner can come across as invasive and rude but he is just passionate and proud of his work.

Pros: Plenty options for vegans, Cheap

Cons: Invasive owner, Wrong dish was brought (not 100% sure)

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30/04/17 - Edit

Posted by Guest on 01 May 2017

Impressive menu and the waitress advised us that all dishes can be made vegan, except for those containing paneer. We tried a variety of dishes ranging from very good (vegetable manchurian) to bland (vegetable jalfrezi).

Quirky decor, I didn't find it dirty as some reviews on HC but it's a little scruffy near the back of the restaurant. The open kitchen is always a good touch.

Although this is vegetarian restaurant I can't see anywhere where they advertise this, it's certainly not on the sign above the door. A couple were "disappointed" to learn that there were no meat options and promptly left. Their loss, in more ways than one.

Updated from previous review on 2017-05-01

Pros: Good menu , Quirky decor

Cons: Some dishes quite bland

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Yummy - Edit

Posted by hollyt on 19 Jun 2016.

Delicious food. Interesting flavours- not your bog standard Indian. Easy to order vegan food

Pros: flavour, price

Cons: bit empty for a Friday night, table sticky- the place could do with a wipe

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Avoid - Edit

Posted by vegan777 on 14 Jun 2016.

This restaurant as become very scruffy and unclean since I visited it a few years back.
It now resembles a old second hand junk shop.
The buffet is very poor and I really regret not only eating it but also paying for it.
On our previous visit we were met by a very friendly manager who looked after our table, but this time there was a women in slippers with a mop and buck, if that's not enough to put you off, the food is.

Pros: Never going again

Cons: Scruffy, Junk shop apperance, Food is very very poor

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Delicious Food - Edit

Posted by sling on 29 May 2016.

Food was excellent and authentic Indian food!

Having been there a few times I haven't seen evidence of the owner being rude as suggested by other reviewers, maybe slightly invasive at times, though I think this is a consequence of his passion and the pride he takes in the restaurant.

Pros: Delicious food, Very cheap, Owner is passionate

Cons: Owner can be slightly invasive

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Potentially uncomfortable dining experience - Edit

Posted by Mx-boogz on 23 Apr 2016.

I went here first on date & loved the atmosphere plus the wide range of vegan choices (although the staff did keep asking if my date & I were sisters). Based on my first outing, a few months later I took my mum & had a horrible experience. The owner was very inappropriately behaved making comments that bordered on sexual harassment. He even stroked my face! My mum was appalled. Based on that one trip I've decided to never go back & I would encourage you to consider if you would like to risk such an encounter by going.
Updated from previous review on Saturday April 23, 2016

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Food was good, but... - Edit

Posted by Raw Morka on 08 Apr 2016.

This restaurant looks horrible, it's dark and full of old furniture (they call it antiques but looks more like from The Addams Family movie), the table was dirty and owner very loud and disturbing. He forced us to order what he choose for us and was coming every 5 minutes to ask if we like it. And standing next to our table shouted to the chefs working in the kitchen... The food was tasty, but not everything seemed fresh. There was no problem to replace some dairy toppings for vegan ones in the tali, what I appreciate.

Pros: good Indian food, big choice of vegan options

Cons: decor, dark, dirty, weird owner

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Great vegan and vegetarian option in Southampton - Edit

Posted by Gllanos on 01 Sep 2015.

Lovely well located restaurant that offers an impressive range of vegan and vegetarian options. The dinner I had was not only vegan and healthy but also absurdly delicious, it was a bollywood dance taking place in my palate. Will definitely come back and recommend to my friends.

Pros: Authentic indian dinning experience, Wide variety of options, Friendly staff

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Cold overpriced poor food with rude owner - Edit

Posted by kennyp353 on 04 May 2015.

Food cold, disappointing and overpriced, owner rude to his staff and awkward with customers, one to avoid.

On walking in, the owner publicly humiliated one of his female staff as he overruled where she could seat us. This set the tone for what was to come.

The owner asked if we wanted poppadums, the menu states "poppadum with chutney £0.95", but because when he said "two poppadums with pickle tray" I answered yes, the pickle tray added an extra £3.95 to the £1.90, more than tripling the price.

We ordered a set of starters. Two were recommended by the owner - we were virtually forced to accept his choices. One he claimed was not available anywhere in the UK yet I've had it at least twice before. The other, Idli Manchurian, had hot batter balls, but the sauce they were in was fridge-cold - it had plainly been premade and stirfried in a rush. The Pani Poori were unlike any pooris I've ever had before - cold, hard, and frankly gross - we ate just two of the eight provided.

We gave up at this point, paid up and left. Starters and two beers, £35. What a rip-off. I asked the waitresses about the owner's extraordinary rudeness towards them. "Yes we know, we're used to it". Tragic.

Cons: Poor, cold food, Rude owner, Overpriced

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Delicious - Edit

Posted by ingridk on 18 Dec 2014.

The vegetarian family who runs this business knows very well how to how to please their guest. You can either order from the menú or take the buffet which includes a delicious cheese bread and dessert. The lady is very kind and her suggestions are always the best advice. They make the best raita that I have ever eaten. Delicious south indian Food!

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The Idli Manchurian is amazing. - Edit

Posted by pop345 on 18 Nov 2014.

This is definitely my favourite restaurant to eat at in Southampton. The food is amazing and the staff are lovely. Even the avid meat eater loved the food!

The staff are very well informed about the menu and will provide great suggestions about what to order, as well as guiding you through the menu to tell you what is vegan and what isn't (most of the menu is vegan).

Pros: Idli Manchurian!, friendly staff, great food

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FAVOURITE place :D - Edit

Posted by melc1g12 on 02 Oct 2014.

Me, my family and my partner are really into cooking and eating good food. We travelled around India last year and the food was sensational. Dosas in particular quickly became one of my favourite things! Southampton on the other hand has very little to offer when it comes to food that I would actually want to part with money for, so we normally cook at home and rarely eat out as there's nothing worse than going out for a treat and the meal being disappointing and just wishing you'd cooked at home. However, a few months ago we discovered the absolute gem that is Indian Melody! Now, whenever I go for a meal out, I know where I'm going and I know that I won't leave disappointed :) The masala dosas take me straight back to India. The welcome is very warm. Authentic Indian food. Tonnes of choice for veggies and vegans! yum yum yum yum yum yum yum

Pros: Taste, Atmosphere, Reasonably priced

Cons: Just wish I could afford it more often!

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Love The Indian Melody ! - Edit

Posted by Joocc on 04 Aug 2014.

Enjoy the delights of the menu at Melody
All food is prepared in open kitchen from scratch using the freshest of ingredients
Love the Vegan Mysore Dosa
Saag Aloo (specially prepared) is a must !

Pros: Will prepare individual dishes, Excellent staff /service, Good information on all dishes

Cons: Not enough Vegan options, Limited opening times, Limited tea selection

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Vegan

Contributions +18

Great authentic southern indian dining experience - Edit

Posted by Catmogg on 21 Nov 2012.

The restaurant was relaxed and the owner came to our table to make recommendations. We had a really tasty starter followed by a main which included a dosa and side. Id never tried any of the food before and really enjoyed the subtle flavours! It flavours were great and all the food was subtly spiced and delicate. It was the perfect indian. As a vegan i was very well catered for and my dining partner who usually eats meat was very impressed. Excellent.

Pros: authentic, delicious , very reasonable price

Cons: decor

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Delicious and vegan-friendly - Edit

Posted by ceejay44 on 05 Aug 2012.

I stumbled across this restaurant by accident when I was visiting Southampton and it turned out to be the best part of my visit! They serve authentic Indian cuisine, rather than the anglicised version of it that most Brits are more familiar with. The menu is very extensive, so luckily the owner is on hand to help make decisions and recommendations. A very large percentage of the menu is vegan (sorry I can't remember the figure), so for me it was very refreshing to find somewhere where I didn't have to worry about what I was eating. I can't express enough how helpful, friendly and knowledgeable the staff are. The decor and atmosphere is very homely and the food is cooked in an open kitchen (should you want to watch). The food was absolutely delicious and I wouldn't hesitate in returning if I am ever in the area again, or in recommending this restaurant to others.

Pros: Excellent food, Great service

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A rare authentic treat for Soton & veggie to boot! - Edit

Posted by poll on 14 Mar 2011.

Southampton has lots of restaurants but few are really special or different so we'll definitely be going back to help make sure this one stays - if you're vegetarian you really must go as a) it's lovely and b) vege restaurants in Southampton don't always get enough support, but since this one should appeal to everyone, simply because the food is so good, I am optimistic! We reckon this is the best Indian food we've had in Southampton, and possibly in the UK - fresh, authentic & unusual, but also down to earth & unshowy. Extensive menu if you know your South Indian/Sri Lankan food but if not don't be baffled, the owner just brought us some recommendations we would probably never have picked but were delicious - we left feeling full but not bloated as we often do after a curry. Nice relaxed atmosphere - felt a bit like being on holiday. We spent £45 for 2 people - 3 courses inc side dishes and beer, but if you just want a simple meal you could get dosa and a pint for under £10 (it's on the edge of the shopping area for a quiet haven at lunch time).

Pros: Delicious, Authentic, Not too greasy!

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delicious, fresh, excellent value, welcoming! - Edit

Posted by Guest on 13 Mar 2011

I visited this restaurant with my husband yesterday and we both enjoyed the meal and the venue immensely! For £5 per person we had the set meal (there is a choice of 5!) All of which included a dessert and coffee! The food was fresh, flavoursome and excellent value for money. The owner was very welcoming and the decor interesting, with lovely antique furniture. We will definitely return....and would recommend this charming vegetarian Indian restaurant to anyone!

Pros: excellent value, delicious, authentic cuisine, friendly, welcoming staff

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Possibly the best food I have ever eaten - Edit

Posted by NickTann on 10 Jan 2011.

I also wrote this review for Trip Advisor

I was so impressed with my meal that I have have joined this site SPECIFICALY to give it a review.
I visited last week with my wife and 14 year old daughter, all of us vegetarians.
We were welcomed by a very friendly woman who explained the menu and recommended some starters for us, which we ordered. They were amazing! Fresh and tasty and not dripping in ghee, When we asked her how they were made she explained the whole process. The manager then came over to check on us and we asked hem to recommend out main courses, which he did. He got it exactly right even chosing something perfect for my often faddy 14 year old!
I can't recommend this place highly enough. The staff were friendly and enthusiastic and the food was out of this world. All fresh ingredients and freshly cooked. Marvelous!!

Pros: Great Food, Great Service , Very Friendly

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You must try this restaurant! - Edit

Posted by abster76 on 13 Nov 2010.

I'd like to begin by saying that I concur that some of these reviews were clearly written by competitors, worried about their new competition. Ignore them and try it for yourself - we loved it!
I'm vegetarian and visited this restaurant with my vegetarian friend today. Both of us were thrilled to find a vegetarian Indian restaurant open during the day - with 156 savoury dishes to choose from! A wide range of vegetarian desserts (not your bog-standard indian restaurant fare of overly-sweet ice creams in pottery bowls) features on the menu and all the wines and beers are vegetarian as well. How marvellous is that?? The owners really care about the ethics of vegetarianism and their chefs do a wonderful job in the open kitchen.
We shared potato bajis (not found these anywhere since I was in Bradford years ago) and each had a thali, with a beautiful selection of dishes which included a dessert. Followed this up with a liqueur and a coffee and cannot praise the place highly enough. The food is clearly freshly prepared, bursting with flavour, and wonderful conversation can be had with the owners. I'll be going back as often as possible, and will take my partner and child next time (they're very family friendly). Try it!

Pros: excellent food, friendly staff, open daytimes

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Non Vegetarian

Contributions +6

PERFECT - Edit

Posted by MLily16 on 01 Nov 2010.

Firstly, I'd just like to say that i have just read Indian Melody's response to some of the not so nice reviews about their restaurant and i feel what they have written is very professional and respectable.
Indian Melody's food is simply amazing, I eat there at least once or twice a month, the food is unique and FRESH beyond measures, all the flavours explode on your took in a wonderful whirlwind of flavour.
I would definitely recommend this restaurant to everyone. It is amazing. And may I just add that I am a meat eater and I have no objection to the food, I love it!

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Excellent Restaurant - Edit

Posted by Gez on 24 Oct 2010.

I've eaten at this restaurant a couple of times since it opened, most recently in early September, and both times have found the food exceptionally good. It is clear everything has been cooked to order with fresh ingredients, the quality has been outstanding. The owner is very attentive, and extremely passionate about his business and vegetarianism. Talking to him is an experience not to be missed. I would definitely recommend dining here.

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Excellent for vegans - Edit

Posted by moonraker on 27 Sep 2010.

Helpful owner and friendly staff. We mentioned that we were vegan and they made sure that the food we chose was vegan.
Sparklingly clean cutlery and antique furniture throughout make this restaurant look much more expensive than it actually is.

Pros: Helpful staff, Great ambiance, Reasonable prices

Cons: Difficult to park as on busy street.

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brilliant restaurant - Edit

Posted by rebecca burke on 28 May 2010.

I am vegan and went to the Indian Melody restaurant in Southampton recently. It was lovely and the food was gorgeous, the best Indian food I have ever had! The service is great and the owner is very attentive and always happy to help. It is reassuring to know I can ask for dishes to be cooked the way I want them to be cooked and for it to never be a problem. Will be going again!

Pros: food, service, atmosphere

Cons: vegan items could be labelled on menu.

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New Veg Indian - Edit

Posted by Petrina on 16 May 2010.

There are very few options in Southampton that are purely vegetarian and even fewer where vegans are completely understood. Indian Melody went out of their way to make sure all of our dishes were vegan and they were all brilliant! We've been there twice so far and will be visiting over and over again. The food is freshly prepared, the staff are very friendly, the atmosphere is just wonderful, and it's a very good location. (Their website isn't ready yet, but they told us they are working on that. They just opened a few weeks ago so hopefully that will be up soon, and that will be extremely helpful.)

Pros: vegan understanding, fresh, delicious food, lovely atmosphere

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