Looking for an Indian Restaurant in Reading Town Centre? Try Clay’s Kitchen
If you are searching for an authentic Indian restaurant in Reading town centre, Clay’s Kitchen is a destination that truly stands out. Known for its distinctive flavours, regional recipes, and welcoming atmosphere, Clay’s Kitchen has become a favourite among locals and visitors who want to experience something beyond the typical curry house. Founded by chef-owners Nandana and Sharat, the restaurant celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Hyderabad while embracing the best local ingredients available in the UK.
A Passion for Authentic Indian Cooking
Clay’s Kitchen began as a dream shared by Nandana and Sharat. Both chefs always hoped to open their own restaurant, and in 2017, they leapt, signing a lease for their first premises. After months of dedication, hard work, and determination, they finally opened the doors to Clay’s Hyderabadi Kitchen in June 2018.
Their vision was clear from the beginning: to bring authentic regional Hyderabadi cuisine to the people of Reading. The restaurant uses distinctive spices and ingredients sourced from India while maintaining a strong connection with the best local and British suppliers. This balance ensures that every dish delivers both authenticity and quality.
One of the defining characteristics of Clay’s Kitchen is its attention to flavour. Each recipe uses a unique spice blend, carefully designed to complement the ingredients and reflect the traditions of Hyderabad. Some dishes take inspiration from the rich cuisine once enjoyed by the Royal Nizams, while others draw on the vibrant street food and regional cooking of Andhra. The result is a menu that feels both traditional and exciting.
A Warm Welcome from the Local Community
From its earliest days, Clay’s Kitchen quickly captured the hearts of diners in Reading. Within its first year of trading, the restaurant received awards from local websites, recognising both the quality of the food and the unique dining experience it offers.
Over time, the restaurant has welcomed hundreds of guests who have become regular customers. Many diners say that eating at Clay’s feels like having friends cook for you, thanks to the warm and personal approach taken by the chef-owners. In fact, many returning customers have become familiar faces who feel like part of the extended Clay family.
A Menu Full of Regional Flavours
The menu at Clay’s Kitchen reflects the diversity and creativity of Indian regional cuisine. Guests can begin their meal with flavourful starters such as Indian-style hot pickles, available with cauliflower, green chilli, or chicken. Other small bites include Phool Makhna with curry leaf masala, corn ribs with Clay’s signature spice powder, and tapioca papad served with Keralan onion chutney.
Traditional snacks such as idli fingers with podi and peanut coconut chutney offer a taste of South Indian comfort food, while dishes like aloo tikki chat provide a delicious balance of spicy, tangy, and cooling flavours in a single bite. The menu also includes options such as heirloom tomatoes with pachadi salad and grilled chillies stuffed with rice and roasted chana dal.
Seafood and meat lovers will find plenty to enjoy as well. Highlights include crispy tilapia with Apollo fish sauce, pork and octopus skewers with ginger, jaggery and tamarind glaze, and miso chicken tikka skewers served with yoghurt, lime and coriander dip.
For the main course, Clay’s Kitchen offers deeply satisfying dishes that showcase the richness of Hyderabadi cooking. These include bhuna venison slow-cooked in its own juices, Clay’s chicken ghee roast, known for its fiery and earthy flavours, and saag paneer kofta served in a creamy tomato sauce. Other standout dishes include patra with tamarind-jaggery glaze, grilled jumbo king prawns slow-cooked in tokku, and braised beef short ribs with luxurious nalli nihari sauce.
Rice dishes also play an important role in the menu, with favourites such as lamb shank biryani and baghara rice, a Hyderabadi-style pulao that pairs beautifully with the restaurant’s rich curries. Guests can also enjoy traditional breads such as John’s mixed basket of rotis along with comforting sides like smoked tamarind dal.
Bringing Clay’s Kitchen to Homes Across the UK
Like many hospitality businesses, Clay’s Kitchen faced major challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a small and intimate restaurant without outdoor seating, reopening immediately was not practical or safe.
Rather than closing completely, the team decided to adapt. They began preparing their dishes using a blast-chilling method, vacuum-packing the food so it could be delivered nationwide while preserving its flavour and quality. After a successful local trial, Clay’s started delivering across the UK in August 2020.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, with the delivery service receiving excellent reviews and national media coverage. Renowned food critics, including Jay Rayner, Tom Parker Bowles, and William Sitwell, praised the restaurant’s dishes and innovation.
A Restaurant That Continues to Evolve
After sixteen months away from regular service, Clay’s Kitchen reopened its restaurant in July 2021. The updated menu combines beloved classics with exciting new creations developed during the closure. Guests can also enjoy a thoughtfully curated wine list created by consultant and wine expert Zeren Wilson.
Today, Clay’s continues to offer both restaurant dining and nationwide delivery, ensuring that guests can enjoy its distinctive dishes whether they are visiting Reading or dining at home.
A Must-Try Indian Restaurant Near Reading Town Centre
For anyone exploring dining options around Reading town centre, Clay’s Kitchen offers something truly special. With its authentic Hyderabadi flavours, inventive menu, and warm hospitality, the restaurant provides a dining experience that goes far beyond the ordinary.
Whether you are enjoying a relaxed evening meal, sampling a variety of regional dishes, or discovering Hyderabadi cuisine for the first time, Clay’s Hyderabadi Kitchen is a place where every meal tells a story, one filled with passion, tradition, and unforgettable flavours.
