DESI - Old India Cafe - Southsea delivery from Somers Town

About DESI - Old India Cafe - Southsea
DESI is an old India cafe that harks back to the cafes of old India, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the way they did back home. From India, with love. We pay homage to the cafes of old – reigniting the hustle & bustle of their faded elegance. True love, Rediscovered. DESI.
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20% off entire menu
For orders over £15. T&Cs apply

Popular with other people

Onion Bhajia (V)
£7.45
Degchi Chicken Biryani
£13.56£16.95
Railway Lamb
Highly rated
You’ll need to try this gem of the rail side. Lovely & hot with an abundant of dry roasted spices, needless to say it’s full of flavour (slight heat)
£14.95
Murgh Makhni
£13.95
House Chaat (V)
Highly rated
Divinely scrumptious – moreish crispy vegetable samosa, on a bed of spiced chana, split into a cool sweet yoghurt. Dressed with tamarind & mint and coriander chutney. Topped off with pomegranate & spicy potato sprinkles.
£9.45
Hydrabadi Lamb Biryani
£15.16£18.95
Konkani Chicken
£14.45
*NEW* Dhaal Makhni (V)
£7.95
Paneer & Pineapple Tikka (V)
£9.45
Nawabi Murgh Korma
£13.95

(Not So) Small Plates

Snacking before, during and after meals is the national pastime in the subcontinent, if not their national sport. Tempted... so do join in...

Onion Bhajia (V)
The onion bhajia’s served at our cafe are the real McCoy – crispy, light & savoury. Served with salad.
£7.45
House Chaat (V)
Highly rated
· Divinely scrumptious – moreish crispy vegetable samosa, on a bed of spiced chana, split into a cool sweet yoghurt. Dressed with tamarind & mint and coriander chutney. Topped off with pomegranate & spicy potato sprinkles.
£9.45
Grilled Malai Chicken Tikka
Comfortingly alluring - tantalising tender pieces of chicken, marinated overnight in light creamy home ground spices. Served with Bombay bread & salad.
£10.45
Paneer & Pineapple Tikka (V)
An amazing playful fayre of paneer & pineapple, marinated overnight in a lightly herbed creamy sauce, grilled in the tandoor.
£9.45
Punjabi Pyramids (V)
The Punjabi Samosa - most famous of all the samosas. Lovingly filled with potatoes, peas & wonderful array of spices. Served with salad.
£7.45
NEW - Chatpata Corn (V)
Eruption of flavours (hot, sweet and sour) – buttery & steamy, truly a street food snack
£7.45
Chapli Kebab Slider
Tasteful twist of the traditional Pakistani inspired minced meat kebab in a toasted brioche bun, contrasting chutney.
£9.45
Vada Pau (V)
Endearingly exquisite - a spiced potato ball enrobed in a toasted brioche bun & a racy chutney. Inspired by Chowpatty...taken to another level at DESI! (in our opinion).
£8.45

Kathi Wrap

Toasted wrap...rolled up & ready to have like the Kolkatan’s did but with our DESI twist... filled with salad, cheese & contrasting chutney.

Chicken Tikka Wrap
£9.45
Grilled Paneer & Pineapple Wrap (V)
£9.45
Lamb Chapli Wrap
£9.45

Biryani

Old India and Biryani go hand in hand. Ever so moreish and perhaps what you’re not accustomed to…literally loved by all!

Degchi Chicken Biryani
Fresh succulent boneless chicken thighs - delicately cooked within its own juices & spices and layered with rice. Pakistani influenced. Served with salad.
£13.56£16.95
Hydrabadi Lamb Biryani
Fresh British lamb, slow cooked in it's own stock & flavours, layered with fluffy rice. Inspired by the famous biryani’s of Hydrabad. Served with salad
£15.16£18.95
The Humble Biryani (VGN)
Fresh locally sourced vegetables layered with basmati rice & dum-cooked to scrumptiousness. Served with house dhaal
£12.76£15.95

Homestyle Curry

As eaten in the Cafes of Old India, our curries are home style - individually cooked - in its own juices and spices, to recreate flavours one would associate with home cooked food.

Railway Lamb
Highly rated
· You’ll need to try this gem of the rail side. Lovely & hot with an abundant of dry roasted spices, needless to say it’s full of flavour (slight heat)
£14.95
Murgh Makhni
Chicken Tikka Masala originally derived from this speciality of Old Delhi. Rediscover this smooth & velvety dish, where the spices are veiled by rich blend of tomatoes (slight heat)
£13.95
Chingri Tawa
Highly rated
· Blissfulness of Bangladesh epitomised - tossed & turned in a caramelised onion gravy, stir-fried prawns in a medley of spices & merrily mingled with lime leaf (slight heat)
£13.56£16.95
Konkani Chicken
Delightfully capturing the essence of the scenic coast of Konkan. Impeccably packed with fragrant ground spices, tantalise your tastebuds (slight heat).
£14.45
Nawabi Murgh Korma
A delicacy from the kitchens of the Royal Nawabs of Lucknow. Renowned for itssubtlety & aroma. Perfectly cooked chicken with gentle notes of mace flower & cardamom (mild)
£13.95
Kerala Fish
In the twisting & enchanting backwaters of Kerala, local fishermen adored this succulently spiced fish dish. A mild melody of coconut milk, tamarind & curry leaves (slight heat)
£13.56£16.95
Gosht Dhansak
Hustle & bustle of slow-cooked meat in a hot, sweet & sour lentil gravy. (contains dairy)
£14.45
Karachi Karahi
Pakistan’s national favourite - tender meat complimented by the robust flavours of fresh ground spices of garam masalas (slight heat).
£14.45
Chicken Tikka Karahi
Marinated chicken, cooked in a fresh tomato sauce with cracked pepper and coriander (slight heat).
£13.95

Must Haves

A must try!

NEW - Yakhni Pulao Rice (V)
King of all Pulao Rice, full of flavour.
£5.95
Bombay Bread (V)
£4.95
Steamed Rice (VGN)
£5.45
Garlic Bread (V)
£5.95
DESI Dust Fries (VGN)
Crunchy fries kissed with rosemary, sea salt & chaat seasoning.
£4.95
Papadom (VGN)
£1.25
Tzatziki Raita (V)
£4.95
Dip - Mint & Coriander Chutney (VGN)
Little kick!
£1.95
*NEW* Dip - Pineapple Chutney (VGN)
£2.95
Dip - Bombay Ketchup (VGN)
£1.95
Dip - Tzatziki Raita (V)
£1.95

Vegetables

The staple Indian diet emphasises a high intake of plant-based foods like vegetables and lentils. Full of delicate flavours. Eat it on its own or accompanied with meat/seafood.

House Dhaal (VGN)
Immensely indulging – an Old India home comfort food, brimming with a luscious parade of the most vaunted lentils.
£6.95
Saag Paneer (V)
Indian cheese cooked in tempered spinach.
£7.95
*NEW* Dhaal Makhni (V)
Raja of all dhaal dishes – dark, rich, deeply flavoured black lentil and red kidney beans. For super symphony - finished off with cream cheese and fenugreek.
£7.95
Gunpowder Potatoes (V)
A rapturous explosion of the tastebuds – a foremost companion on any table spread. Roasted baby potatoes sprinkled with DESI spice mix & spring onions.
£6.45
*NEW* Shahi Paneer & Corn (V) (Main)
Paneer cooked in coconut cream gravy, mingling with corn kernels (slightly hot & sweet).
£12.95
Paneer Aur Aloo Tikki Masala (V) (Main)
Beloved in India – introduced to & adored by all. Smooth paneer & aloo tikki cutlets in a rich sauce, satisfying your cravings (slight heat).
£12.95
Saag Aloo (V)
Baby potatoes stir fried with spinach
£6.95
Green Salad (VGN)
Fresh mixed salad with contrasting dressing.
£6.95

DESI Shakes

Traditional yoghurt-based drink, originating from India. One of the most popular drinks of the subcontinent.

Coconut & Mango Lassi
Summery blend of the subcontinent.
£6.45
Rose Lassi
Subtle aroma of rose and taste of cardamom.
£6.45

Masala Chai

Originated in the Indian subcontinent – Masala Chai is a flavoured tea beverage made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian herbs & spices.

DESI Masala Chai
A perfect blend of spices brewed with Assam tea leaves and milk - slightly sweet.
£4.45

Soft Drinks

Coke Can 330ml
£2.45
Ayran / Laban 250ml
£3.45
Coke Zero Can 330ml
£2.45
Bottled Drinks
Rose Lemonade - Raspberry Lemonade - Traditional Lemonade – Cloudy Apple Juice.
£3.95
1.25Ltr Bottle Coke
£3.45
Bottled Water
Mineral Water Still or Sparkling
£2.95
Cloudy Apple Juice 250ml
£3.50
San Pellegrino Aranciata Can 330ml
£3.50
Sprite Can 330ml
£2.45
1.25Ltr Bottle Diet Coke
£3.45

Desserts

Sticky Toffee Pudding
*Ice Cream NOT Served With The Dessert*
£6.95
Mango Coco Delight
£6.95
Chocolate Fudge Cake
*Ice Cream NOT Served With The Dessert*
£6.95
Lemon Cheesecake (VGN)
*Whipped Cream NOT Served With The Dessert*
£6.95