About Us

“Elai” translates into English as meaning “a leaf”. In South-India, there has been a long standing tradition of serving food on banana leaves and is considered quite healthy and authentic. These thick big leaves are huge enough to serve a multi course meal.

Developing around this concept “Elai” was born. Elai is a snazzy urban South Indian restaurant and cocktail bar set in the heart of Basingstoke. Each dish has been perfectly curated using traditional cooking methods to create a multi-sensory dining experience. 

Elai embarks on a new venture to bring authenticity and fusion in the diverse cuisines of Kerala that would tickle all the senses to experience our home to you – ‘Gods own Country’.  A generous use of coconut, chilli and spices, local fresh produce and ground spices in mouth-tingling local recipes differs with every region and community of Kerala. Our experienced and skilled chefs are also specialised in North Indian and Indo-Chinese cuisines.

We (Nidhin & Unni) having worked in the hospitality industry have channelled our 20 years plus of experience to create this concept of ‘dining with a difference’. What sets us apart is that our restaurant is set up in a 1400 year old historical building preserved in it’s pristine condition with a private room upstairs of 30 seat capacity and 100 guest capacity downstairs in four sections. We also open from morning until dusk falls offering both Indian and English breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Elai welcomes you all to dine with a difference and to a mouthful of memories.