Clay’s Kitchen: The Best Indian Restaurant in Caversham, Reading
When it comes to discovering a truly authentic Indian restaurant in Caversham, Reading, Clay’s Hyderabadi Kitchen stands out as a restaurant that delivers far more than just a meal. Known for its bold regional flavours, carefully crafted dishes, and welcoming atmosphere, Clay’s Kitchen has become a favourite among locals seeking a genuine taste of India. Founded by chef-owners Nandana and Sharat, the restaurant combines passion, tradition, and creativity to create a dining experience that is both memorable and deeply rooted in heritage.
A Passionate Beginning
Clay’s Kitchen began as a dream shared by Nandana and Sharat, who always wanted to open their own restaurant. In 2017, they leapt and signed a lease for their first premises. After months of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, they opened their doors in June 2018, introducing the people of Reading to authentic regional Hyderabadi cuisine.
From the very beginning, their focus has been on creating something distinctive. Using spices and unique ingredients sourced from India, while working in harmony with the best local and British suppliers, they have built a menu that is both authentic and high quality. What truly sets Clay’s apart is its commitment to detail; every spice mix is created specifically for each dish, ensuring that every plate has its own unique identity.
The dishes at Clay’s Kitchen tell the stories of Hyderabad, from the luxurious cuisine once enjoyed by the Royal Nizams to the vibrant street food and Andhra cooking traditions of the region. This dedication to storytelling through food is what makes dining at Clay’s such a special experience.
A Restaurant Loved by the Community
Clay’s Kitchen quickly became a beloved part of the Caversham dining scene. Within its first year, the restaurant received awards from local websites and gained a loyal following of customers. Many guests return regularly, drawn not only by the food but also by the warm and personal atmosphere.
Diners often describe the experience as feeling like “having friends cook for you”, a reflection of the welcoming environment created by Nandana and Sharat. Over time, many customers have become familiar faces, forming a strong sense of community around the restaurant.
A Menu Full of Flavour and Variety
The menu at Clay’s Kitchen showcases the diversity and richness of Indian cuisine, offering a wide range of dishes that cater to different tastes.
Guests can start with flavourful small plates such as Indian-style hot pickles, available with cauliflower, green chilli, or chicken, or enjoy snacks like Phool Makhna with curry leaf masala, corn ribs with Clay’s signature spice powder, and tapioca papad with Keralan onion chutney. Traditional favourites like idli fingers with podi and peanut coconut chutney, and aloo tikki chat provide a balance of textures and flavours.
There are also creative dishes such as heirloom tomatoes with pachadi salad, grilled chillies stuffed with rice and roasted chana dal, and mushroom skewers with thecha oil and walnut chutney. For those seeking something more adventurous, options like pork and octopus skewers with ginger, jaggery and tamarind glaze and miso chicken tikka skewers offer unique flavour combinations.
The main courses are where Clay’s Kitchen truly shines. Highlights include bhuna venison slow-cooked in its own juices, Clay’s chicken ghee roast, known for its fiery, earthy, and tangy profile, and saag paneer kofta in a creamy tomato sauce. Other standout dishes include patra with tamarind-jaggery glaze, grilled jumbo king prawns with savoury tokku, and braised beef short ribs with rich nalli nihari sauce.
Rice dishes such as lamb shank biryani and baghara rice, a Hyderabadi-style pulao, provide the perfect accompaniment to these mains. Guests can also enjoy traditional breads like John’s mixed basket of rotis and comforting sides such as smoked tamarind dal.
Adapting and Growing Through Challenges
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Clay’s Kitchen faced significant challenges as a small, intimate restaurant without outdoor seating. Rather than reopening immediately, Nandana and Sharat chose to prioritise safety and adapt their business.
They introduced a delivery service, preparing their dishes using a blast-chilling method and vacuum-packing them so they could be delivered nationwide. This allowed customers to enjoy Clay’s food at home without compromising on flavour or quality.
After a successful local trial, Clay’s began delivering across the UK in August 2020. The service quickly gained popularity and received praise from national food critics, including Jay Rayner, Tom Parker Bowles, and William Sitwell.
A Restaurant for Every Occasion
After sixteen months, Clay’s Kitchen reopened in July 2021, introducing a menu that combines classic favourites with new dishes developed during the closure. The experience was further enhanced with a thoughtfully curated wine list created by consultant Zeren Wilson.
Today, Clay’s continues to offer both a welcoming dine-in experience and nationwide delivery, ensuring that guests can enjoy its food wherever they are.
The Best Indian Restaurant in Caversham, Reading
What makes Clay’s Kitchen truly exceptional is its ability to blend authenticity, creativity, and hospitality. Every dish reflects the passion of its chef-owners and the rich culinary traditions of Hyderabad.
For anyone looking for the best Indian restaurant in Caversham, Reading, Clay’s Kitchen offers an experience that goes beyond expectations. Whether you are visiting for a relaxed meal or enjoying our dishes at home, Clay’s delivers flavours that are bold, memorable, and deeply rooted in tradition, making it a true standout in the local dining scene.
