Clay's Kitchen - Reading

What a stunning place! The flavors and dishes are wonderfully unique, yet still retain the spices and warmth familiar to Indian cuisine. We tried the pig bell, fried chili, crabs, and chicken fryers. The pig bell was sweet, aromatic, and delicious, but the standout was definitely the fried chili; I’d never had anything like it before! For our main course, we enjoyed village-style lamb in a clay pot and windshield wipe. Both dishes were exceptional in their own right—the lamb was rich and earthy, while the paneer was creamy and fragrant. Everything was delightful! I can't wait to return!

I highly recommend trying Clay's if you enjoy Southern Indian cuisine with a modern twist. It's a good idea to make a reservation in advance, as the restaurant tends to fill up quickly and is quite popular among locals (it's open four days a week). The "Clay Pot Lamb Biryani" is a dish you absolutely must try, along with the "Bhuna Venison" and "John’s Mixed Basket of Paratha." The service was excellent, and the owner/chef made a lovely gesture by welcoming customers after their meal. It's a nice touch that adds to the overall experience.

Visiting Clay is an experience that everyone should undertake at least once. A close friend highly recommended this restaurant to us, and we even ordered several dishes through their nationwide delivery during the pandemic. Once restrictions eased, we made the effort to enjoy a meal there in person, and it was absolutely worth the wait! The wine list is quite impressive; while we struggled to find options that paired perfectly with Indian cuisine, we discovered an Alsatian Pinot Gris that complemented Clay's food beautifully. Unsure of where to start, we took our friendly waiter’s recommendations. The mirchi chat and prawns were great, but it was the beef mahikhayla and chinta chiguru that truly stole the spotlight. Don't miss out on this gem; you won't regret it!

The food here is absolutely amazing. We started to get their vacuum-packed meals during the lockdown and they were so good we were excited to go and eat in the restaurant. We were not disappointed. The menu is creative and so delicious. The service is informative, warm and friendly. Really an incredibly pleasant culinary experience. This is my top recommendation for dinner in Reading.

Excellent service and food. Not the typical curry house menu but good to get a change. Rice crackers are a nice start. Cauliflower, pork and prawn starters very good. Definitely going back.