About Curry Leaf Cafe - Brighton Lanes
Award-winning, independent Brighton restaurant serving South Indian street food, curries & tandoor-grilled dishes – made with ingredients sourced from Sussex suppliers, and served in compostable packaging. Voted one of 'Britain's 12 Best Indian Restaurants' by BBC Good Food Magazine and named a 'Local Gem' in every edition of the Good Food Guide since 2015. 🌶️=MILD 🌶️🌶️=MEDIUM 🌶️🌶️🌶️=HOT
Nibbles
After all, you'll need something to nibble on while you're opening up all those takeaway pots
Poppadums & Dips (VG/NGI) 🌶️
Crisp-fried chickpea flour poppadums served with two dips: Mango, Mint & Chilli Chutney + Tamarind Chutney£4.95Vegan
Street Food & Starters
Some of India's tastiest food can be found on the streets, at stalls specialising in just a single dish. Here are our favourites, with a few twists along the way
Spring Vegetable Pakoras (VG/NGI) 🌶️
Shredded spring vegetables mixed with chickpea flour, rice flour and spices, then deep-fried until crisp and golden. Served with: Mango, mint & chilli chutney£7.25VeganAubergine Bhajis (VG/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Classic South Indian street food. Sliced aubergines dipped in a rice-flour batter flavoured with ginger, garlic and caraway seeds then fried until crisp. Served with: Roast tomato & chilli chutney£7.25VeganSweet Potato & Pea Tikki (VG/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Mashed sweet potato & garden peas spiced with ginger, garlic and toasted cumin seeds, shaped into patties then fried until crisp on the outside and meltingly soft in the middle. Served with: Mango, mint & chilli chutney£7.25VeganMushroom 65 (VG/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Mushrooms dipped in a light, flavoursome batter spiced with ginger, garlic, chilli & curry leaves, then deep-fried until crisp and topped with sliced spring onion. Served with Red chilli jam£7.25VeganChilli Chicken (DF/NGI) 🌶️🌶️🌶️
A spicy, moreish dish sold at street food stalls across India. Pieces of boneless chicken thigh lightly coated in spiced batter, then deep-fried until crisp and tossed in a spicy sweet ‘n sour chilli & garlic sauce. Garnished with sliced spring onion£8.95Gluten freeChilli Paneer (V/NGI) 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
Deep-fried cubes of paneer cheese tossed in a spicy, sweet ‘n sour chilli & garlic sauce, then topped with sliced spring onion£8.95VegetarianCrispy Keralan Squid (DF/NGI) 🌶️
Squid rings crisp-fried in a light chickpea flour batter spiced with green chilli and coriander. Served with: Lime, chilli & coriander mayo£8.95Gluten freeVegan Street Food Platter (VG/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Four Indian street food classics served with chutneys for dipping: Spring Vegetable Pakoras • Sweet Potato & Pea Tikki • Mushroom Manchurian • Aubergine Bhajis • Three chutneys for dipping£12.00VeganVeg Street Food Platter (V/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Four Indian street food classics served with chutneys for dipping: Chilli Paneer • Sweet Potato & Pea Tikka • Mushroom 65 • Aubergine Bhajis. Served with three chutneys for dipping£15.00VegetarianMixed Street Food Platter (DF/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Four Indian street food classics served with chutneys for dipping: Chilli Chicken • Pea & Sweetcorn Vada • Mushroom 65 • Aubergine Bhajis. Served with three chutneys for dipping£15.00Gluten free
Chef's Special
This is what chef eats when he's not slaving over a hot stove. As desi as it gets
Jackfruit Biriyani (VG/NGI/NUTS) 🌶️🌶️
A Persian-inspired rice dish in which everything is slow-cooked in a single sealed pot. Jackfruit pieces marinated in spices then steamed with aged basmati rice, brown onion, tomatoes, sultanas, ginger, garlic, mint, coriander, saffron, kewda water & garam masala. Served with: Peanut butter & jalapeno sauce + Beetroot raita£16.95Vegan
Curries & Stews
Curry isn't just in our name, it's in our DNA. And we've won a ton of awards for them. Eat curry, be happy 🧡
Parsi Daal (VG/NGI) 🌶
A comforting stew made from split red & yellow lentils slow-cooked with ginger, garlic, tomato, cumin & red chilli. RECOMMENDED WITH: Steamed rice / Plain naan£8.95VeganAloo Chana Masala (VG/NGI) 🌶️
Diced potatoes, chickpeas and green peas cooked in a tangy, flavoursome onion & tomato sauce spiced with ginger, cumin and coriander£12.95VeganGoan Chicken Xacuti (DF/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
A Portuguese-influenced recipe from Goa that’s packed with aromatic flavours. Boneless chicken thigh cooked in a fragrant, fresh-tasting onion & tomato sauce flavoured with coconut, tamarind, green chilli and curry leaves. RECOMMENDED WITH: Garlic & coriander naan / Brown onion & coriander rice£14.95Gluten freePaneer Makhani (V/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Paneer cheese cooked in a creamy, aromatic tomato sauce flavoured with fenugreek and enriched with lashings of butter and cream. RECOMMENDED WITH: Cheese & chilli naan / Steamed rice£14.95VegetarianRajasthani Lamb Laal Maas (NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Boneless British lamb shoulder slow-cooked in a rich yoghurt-based sauce from the Northern State of Rajasthan, flavoured with brown onion, Kashmiri chilli and cardamom. RECOMMENDED WITH: Garlic & coriander naan / Brown onion & coriander rice£16.95Gluten free
From the Grill
When marinated meat meets the fire of the tandoor, something magic happens. Smells like, victory…
Chicken Tikka Hariyali (NGI) 🌶️
Boneless chicken thigh marinated for 24hrs in a vibrant yoghurt, green chilli, spring onion and coriander spice paste, then chargrilled in the tandoor. Served with: Beetroot raita£9.95Gluten freeLamb Geelafi Seekh Kebab (DF/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Minced lamb and chicken mixed with onions, garlic, ginger and spices, then shaped onto skewers and grilled in the tandoor. Served with: Roast tomato & chilli chutney£10.95Gluten free
Sizzle Platters
Cooked on cast-iron skillets till they sizzle and smoke, theses dishes deliver a serious flavour punch
Ajwaini Paneer Sizzler (V/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Paneer cheese marinated in yoghurt, ajwaini seeds and spices, then chargrilled in the tandoor and served with chargrilled onions, peppers & chillies. Served with: Tamarind chutney£15.95VegetarianTamarind Pork Belly Sizzler (DF/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
British pork belly marinated in a sweet, sour & smoky tamarind, garlic & Kashmiri chilli rub, then slow-cooked in the oven and cut into thick slices. Served with chargrilled onions, peppers & chillies + Beetroot raita£15.95Gluten freeKing Prawn Sizzler (DF/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Tiger prawns marinated in mango & spices, chargrilled on a skillet and served with grilled chillies and onions. Served with: Beetroot raita£17.95Gluten freeTandoor Platter (NGI) 🌶️🌶️
A trio of chargrilled meats from our tandoor oven: Chicken Tikka Hariyali, Goan Pork Ribs and Lamb Seekh Kebab, plus grilled chillies and onions. Served with: Roast tomato & chilli chutney + Beetroot raita£24.95Gluten free
Twisted Indian burgers
A playful mashup between the Vada Pav (stuffed buns) of Bombay and that all-American institution, the burger. Think brioche buns filled with crisp-fried street food, fried chicken & paneer, and tandoor-grilled meats – plus chutneys and all the fixings
Mushroom Manchurian Burger (VG) 🌶️
Toasted Flour Pot brioche bun filled with crisp-fried battered mushrooms tossed in a sweet & sour IndoChinese sauce + Beetroot raita + sliced spring onion£12.75VeganSweet Potato Tikki Burger (VG) 🌶️
Toasted Flour Pot brioche bun filled with crisp-fried sweet potato & green pea patties spiced with ginger, garlic and toasted cumin + Mango, mint & chilli chutney + Beetroot raita + sliced spring onion£12.75VeganTamarind Pork Belly Burger (DF) 🌶️🌶️
Toasted Flour Pot brioche bun filled with slices of British pork belly marinated overnight in a sweet, sour & smoky tamarind, garlic & Kashmiri chilli paste then slow cooked in the oven until meltingly soft + Lime, chilli & coriander mayo + Beetroot raita + spring onion£13.95Paneer Tikka Burger (V) 🌶️
Toasted Flour Pot brioche bun filled with deep-fried cubes of paneer cheese, plus sliced spring onion + mango chutney + tamarind chutney£13.95VegetarianChilli Chicken Burger (DF) 🌶️🌶️
Toasted Flour Pot brioche bun filled with crisp-fried boneless chicken thigh pieces lightly coated in spiced batter then tossed in a spicy chilli & garlic sauce + Lime, chilli & coriander mayo + Beetroot raita + sliced spring onion£13.95Dairy freeChilli Paneer Burger (V) 🌶️🌶️
Toasted Flour Pot brioche bun filled with deep-fried cubes of paneer cheese tossed in a spicy chilli & garlic sauce + Lime, chilli & coriander mayo + Beetroot raita + Sliced spring onion£13.95Vegetarian
Rice & Bread
Come and get your carb hit!
Steamed Rice (VG/NGI)
Steamed aged basmati rice£3.95VeganLemon Rice (VG/NGI)
Steamed aged basmati rice flavoured with lemon juice, mustard seeds & curry leaves£4.50VeganBiriyani Rice (VG/NGI)
Aged basmati rice steamed with cloves, black pepper & tempered spices£4.50VeganPlain Naan (VG)
Tandoor-baked naan bread (VEGAN)£3.95VeganGarlic & Coriander Naan (VG)
Tandoor-baked naan bread flavoured with fresh garlic and coriander leaves (VEGAN)£4.50VeganChilli & Spring Onion Naan
Tandoor-baked naan bread topped with sliced red chilli & spring onion£4.50VeganPeshwari Naan (VG)
Tandoor-grilled naan bread flavoured with dessicated coconut, green cardamom, fennel seeds, sultanas and finely chopped cherries£4.95VeganCheese & Chilli Naan (V) 🌶️
Handmade naan bread stuffed with cheddar cheese & mozzarella, topped with sliced red chilli then baked in the tandoor till crisp, fluffy and gooey in the middle£4.95VegetarianVegan Cheese & Chilli Naan (VG) 🌶️
Handmade naan bread stuffed with vegan cheddar & mozzarella, topped with sliced red chilli then baked in the tandoor till crisp, fluffy and gooey in the middle£4.95Vegan
Sides & Sauces
A little bit of what you fancy on the side, from spiced spuds and moreish sauces to our Indian-spiced take on Kimchi
Aloo Jeera (VG/NGI) 🌶️
Baby potatoes spiced with toasted cumin seeds, ginger, garlic, chilli & lemon juice then roasted in the oven£4.95VeganPlain Fries (VG/NGI)
Skin-on potato fries deep-fried until crisp and golden£4.50VeganMasala Fries (VG/NGI) 🌶️
Skin-on potato fries dusted with chaat masala and Kashmiri chilli powder£4.95VeganKolkata Kimchi (VG/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Our take on Korea’s iconic spicy fermented cabbage dish, with an Indian twist£2.95Peanut & Jalapeno Sauce (VG/NGI/NUTS) 🌶️🌶️
A thick, rich dipping sauce made with roast peanuts and pickled jalapeno chillies (NB: Contains peanuts)£3.50VeganBeetroot Raita (VG/NGI)
Cooling dip made from Greek-style soya yoghurt with roast beetroot and spices£2.95Vegan
Chutneys & Dips
Double dip, no-one will judge you…
Mango, Mint & Chilli Chutney (VG/NGI) 🌶️
A traditional chutney flavoured with the sweet flesh of ripe mangoes, the fruity kick of red chilli and chopped mint for freshness£1.50VeganDate & Tamarind Chutney (VG/NGI) 🌶️
A tangy, smokey chutney made from the pulp of sour tamarind fruit, dates & spices£1.50VeganRed Chilli Jam (VG/NGI) 🌶️🌶️
Caramelised red chillies slow-cooked with sugar and spices to create a thick, spicy jam£1.50VeganLime, Chilli & Coriander Mayo (V/NGI) 🌶️
Free-range egg mayonnaise flavoured with chopped green chilli, coriander leaves and a squeeze of lime£1.50VeganMixed Veg Pickle (VG/NGI) 🌶️
A spicy, sweet & sour chutney made from pickled vegetables and spices£1.50VeganMasala Ketchup (VG/NGI) 🌶️
Tomato ketchup spiced with chaat masala and Kashmiri chilli£1.25VeganKetchup (VG/NGI)
Tomato ketchup£0.95VeganPlain Mayonnaise
Free-range egg mayonnaise£0.95
Sweet Things
'Go on sir, it's wafer thin…'
Gulab Jamoons
Traditional sweet Indian dumplings made from reduced milk infused with sugar syrup and spices£5.95VegetarianChocolate Truffle Tart (VG/NGI)
(Single slice) Chocolate brownie base topped with a chocolate truffle genache and a chocolate crumb£6.50VeganGinger & Lemon Treacle Tart
(Single slice) Sticky treacle tart spiced with ginger and lemon, in an all-butter shortcrust case, dusted with powdered ginger£6.50VegetarianBelgian Waffle & Mango Dip (VG)
Sweet Belgian waffle dusted with chaat masala and served with a mango dip£6.50
DRINKS
Only With Love 'Juicy AF' Pale Ale (0.5%)
Multi-award-winning, low-alcohol pale ale from Uckfield in Sussex. Hazy, full-bodied, brewed with juicy Citra hops & fresh mango (440ml can)£5.50VeganLucky Saint Lager (0.5%)
Unfiltered low-alcohol, low-calorie lager with biscuity malts and a citrus hop finish (330ml bottle)£4.50VeganCoca-Cola
330ml£1.95VeganCoca-Cola Zero
330ml£1.95VeganFranklin & Sons Ginger Beer
A British classic… ginger root, a squeeze of lemon and malted barley are blended with sparkling water, providing your palate with a full flavour that’s not overly sweet but provides some warmth (275ml bottle)£2.95Vegan