It's really cool seeing South Indian food in a creative format like it is here. Idli - a first bite, a little idli in a chutney foam. Really creative and tasty. Chembu - the taro is cooked very soft in a slightly tangy and flavorful sauce. Chakka - insanely delicious. The crispy exterior gave way to a savory and soft jackfruit interior full of spices, on top of a creamy sauce. Iracchi Pathiri - I didn't try this, but my friend said it was very good. The presentation on a little tree was really impressive. Koon Theeyal - chewy mushrooms and banana blossom in a sweet, sour, and creamy gravy. This went great with the flaky Malabar parotta. Ilaneer Payasam - the Payasam part is a foam, on top of fresh coconut, ice cream, and peanut chikki. This was a super creative spin on the dish. My friend also tried the nandu curry, which he enjoyed. For drinks, I tried the khopa, which had a nice clarified note with strong flavor of curry leaf on top of the fruit flavors. The chakotra had a nice blend between the grapefruit and spicy, tart, and herbal jalapeno brine. The bill came to about $260 after tax and tip, which is expensive but totally worth it. We ended up over ordering a bit, so two appetizers and two entrees is probably enough for two people. read more

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Ambiance was amazing, service was prompt. A glass was dropped next to me and they moved us to a different table and gave us complimentary podi. We loved the food. Everything was balanced and well spiced. Best dishes were the kozhi karuveppilai (chicken app) and the idli podi. The nanducurry (crab) could have used more texture or crunch but the flavor was amazing. Loved my pakka mocktail! One of the best mocktails I've ever had. read more

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From food to service to ambiance everything was great! We were greeted immediately and taken to our table at our reservation time. To start our meal we were given a complimentary amuse bouche which was a delicious idli in a spicy coconut chutney. It was truly amazing and such a good way to start the meal. For apps we had the banana leaf prawn which was so good. It was very flavorful, with a tomato onion base. For mains we had the fish curry (kalanji), chicken curry (mulakittathu), and crab curry (nanducurry) and the Malabar paratha and red Matta rice for sides. All curries were great, but the crab and chicken curries really stood out to me. The chicken pieces were cooked so well and fell off the bone. The crab was also very flavorful and had a good coconut flavor mixed with the spices. The fish curry was still good but I felt the other dishes overpowered it. Finally for dessert we had the Calicut halwa. This was one of the best desserts I've had at an Indian restaurant. The ice cream paired with the halwa was perfect and such a unique combination for dessert. There were so many dishes we wished we could order so we will definitely be back to try more! read more

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Fantastic food, service and experience, although it took us a while to get seated. Ifs beautiful inside and the food is some of the best Indian I've had. The chutney in the amuse bouche idli was fantastic. the jackfruit cutlets and poriyal were delicious, and the rice halwa dessert was yummy. They brought plenty of serving spoons to eat family styles folded our napkins as we got up and had our leftovers waiting for us at cost check. read more

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Got a reservation here for a weeknight dinner. The service is very attentive, from the hostess to the waiters to the bartenders. The staff is very patient to explain dishes and make recommendations. The interior is nicely done, and a great vibe for dinner. For food, we were started with a complimentary idli and chutney. We ordered the beef pepper fry, lamb chops, and jackfruit appetizers. For mains we got the nanducurry with crab meat and the Nadan Kozhi curry with paratha on the side. Overall, this restaurant does an amazing job of keeping authentic flavor with a modern elevated presentation. A lot of these upscale Indian restaurants disappoint me but this one was amazing! I didn't have a single bad bite here and everyone at the table had a different favorite dish. The cocktails were also a highlight. I had the tomato tamarind one and it was great and refreshing. Overall, I loved this restaurant and need to go again to try more of the menu. read more

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As a South Indian I'm always excited when a new South Indian focused restaurant opens up in the city. Kidilum is the perfect balance of comfortable and brilliant South Indian flavors blended with excellent presentation.. a lovely fine dining experience was indeed. We were sat promptly at our reservation time and I would definitely recommend getting a reservation since it was packed on a weekday! Coming to the food - we got the irachi pathiri to start, this was excellent - personally I would've liked a bit more spice to it but i understand that they need to cater to a larger crowd. We also got the pork roast and the biryani.. the biryani was our personal favorite! We also ordered some cocktails but i don't think it added much to our experience and I will most likely skip it next time. Overall would definitely recommend trying it if you can snag a reservation! read more

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Kidilum is an exciting, upscale, tastefully over the top restaurant in Flatiron showcasing Kerala food. Our meal here was mostly great, albeit with a few inconsistencies that keep it from being a five-star experience. The menu is full of bright, flavorful food with almost too many enticing options to choose from. Luckily it's pretty hard to go wrong here (though there are a few dishes that unanimously seem to be the favorites). We came here at 8:30 on a Saturday night as a party of two. It was raining and we were dressed accordingly so it was a very pleasant surprise to find a coat check at the entrance that could stow our umbrellas, jackets, etc. We had to wait a few minutes in the little purgatory area that is the entrance before the entrance, which imbued our initial moments here with some mystery and made our eventual foray into the main space extra magical. As other have mentioned the decor and overall vibe here is maximalist but in a fun and festive way. I love an understated, sleek look but I always appreciate some personality. Kidilum strangely only provides a cocktail list when you sit down, so if you want something other than a mixed drink (beer/wine) you'll need to ask specifically (i.e. my partner wanted a beer after first drink, and our server just told him the short list of what they had. To start, I got the Kidilum Martini (gin, dry vermouth, bitters, raw mango brine) which was bright and unique, certainly not like any martini I'd tried before thanks to the mango brine. My second drink was the Naranga (mezcal, lacto-fermented lemon pickle, agave, bergamot) which I loved. Many of the cocktails offered appeared to be on the sweeter side, so I asked our server about the relative sweetness of this drink before ordering. She said it was on the sweeter side but could ask the bartender to reduce the amount of agave, which I was appreciative of. She checked in with me after I tried the final result, which was excellent. Food-wise, Kidilum has quite the extensive menu that could make deliberating a dizzying process, particularly if you're a smaller party and will be ordering fewer dishes. We ended up going with a few that others (including our server) had cited as favorite, and a veggie-only dish given that most of the other dishes are relatively light on the veggies. Everything we ordered was super flavorful, much of the time presented in a playful, dramatic, or otherwise playfully gimmicky way. Eats, below: Iracchi Pathiri (beef pepper fry, fried rice cake): A- Served on the branches of some extravagantly carved tree-type display, these sliders were the definition of pomp and circumstances. Juicy and flavorful, yet not quite as exciting as we anticipated given the majestic presentation. Paal Curry (prawns, coconut, ginger, black pepper): A One of my two favorite dishes of the night. The combo of the coconut curry with ginger and black pepper is one I absolutely love but wouldn't necessarily think to pair with prawns, so this was particularly delightful for that reason. Kalanji (barramundi, alleppey fish curry, raw mango): A As delicious as it was beautifully presented. Poriyal (shredded stir-fried vegetables, cabbage, carrot, roastcurry): B+ We tried to get a sense from our server of what the best veg dish was to order and she mentioned this one. Not bad but underwhelming and kind of one-note. One note about the service: everyone was friendly and pleasant but between our appetizer and the rest of the dishes, there was a pretty significant wait. Our server apologized to us several times and assured us that the rest of our food would be out soon but it took upwards of 45 minutes after finishing the Iracchi Pathiri before we received all of the mains. It was something like 10pm at this point so it was late and quite a few folks had filtered out, so not entirely sure what happened there. read more

Brilliant location, excellent food, and an exhibition kitchen setup, with noise levels on the average end as the evening progressed. Got to experience this excellent Kerala style food (and menu) on a fine Saturday evening where the place was filled to capacity. This place offers a lesson or two to the non-kid friendly fine dining Indian restaurants in the city. The entire staff, specifically Devender, Aakash, and Donika were so friendly and conversational with our little one - thanks for that! The open kitchen offers a great view of excellent chefs led by head chef Vinu, who too, was kind enough to come say hello to our little one while rolling out excellent dishes like Attu Chaps ($39) - must order lamb chops, Bonda ($18) with a flavor packed beetroot reduction, and Pollichathu ($27). We stuck with Akash's recommendation for mains which included Paal Curry ($36) and Ularthiyathu ($36). The paal curry was more on the creamier end, but a perfect dish to experience flavor packed coconut milk curry with Prawns. Ularthuyathu on the other hand was a brilliant dish for meat lovers which went really well with Malabar Paratha ($12). Kalludosa ($9) went well with the Paal Curry too. Their amuse-bouche (a flavor packed idli mixed in chuttney) was presented in a very stylish way and desserts which included the Calicut Halwa ($15) and Payasam ($15) offered Chef Vinu's modern take on these traditional classics with a technical approach on food. Throughout the evening, the staff was very apologetic for service delays (which we did not mind at all). Shoutout again to the entire staff for an amazing experience. We will visit again with friends and family and will recommend this kidilum place! read more

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Chef Vinu and his team are amazing. I am intolerant to FODMAPs including garlic and onion which makes it very hard for me to enjoy Indian food typically. We contacted the restaurant ahead of time to tell them about the dietary restrictions and they made us felt at ease by telling us the chef would prepare off menu items for me. The chef seemed very excited to meet this challenge and prepared many dishes that met my needs. They were all extremely delicious. Everyone on the team was super nice. We will be back. read more

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Incredible food, ambiance, and service. The best example of elevated South Indian food I have ever seen. The flavors were deep, complex, and true to their Kerala roots. The presentation and interesting twists kept things interesting and modern. The beef fry and the fish curry were the standouts for us. We will be back over and over until we make it through the full menu read more

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This place is out of this world good! I won't be surprised when it gets a Michelin star ridiculously fast. As a South Indian, I love the introduction of our traditional food with a unique elevated twists to western culture. This place is incredible and the service was equally something to rave about. Will definitely be back again and again! read more

Kidilum feels like Kerala took a stylish detour through a modern tasting studio, and it works beautifully. What stood out immediately was the warm, attentive service by Maria. She struck that perfect balance of being present without hovering, guiding us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm. The food is where nostalgia meets reinvention. Familiar South Indian flavors show up dressed in entirely new silhouettes: * Thair Vada, soft, airy, and delicately balanced with cooling yogurt and pops of sweetness * Bonda, comforting at its core, but elevated with thoughtful textures and depth * Koon Theeyal, earthy, rich, and deeply satisfying, a standout for anyone who loves bold, layered flavors * Calicut Halwa, the perfect finale, indulgent without being heavy, with a refined sweetness A special mention to Chef Vinu, who was incredibly humble and clearly very talented, his passion reflects in every plate. Every dish felt intentional, rooted in tradition but reimagined with finesse. You can tell there's real respect for the cuisine, paired with a willingness to push it forward. We're definitely going back for more and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh take on South Indian cuisine. read more

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I'm a fan of this addition to the NYC food scene. What I ate: Tiny Idli in chutney (complimentary) - delicious flavor and good spice level (5/5). Great start. Pollichathu - delicious flavor, good spice. Prawns weren't quite as tender as I'd like (4.5/5) Mappas (veg) - delicious flavor, but not spicy (until next-day). I would have also liked if the vegetables were better-melded with the gravy (again, better next day). You could tell the veg were cooked separately and tossed in (3.5 day-of) (5/5 next day) Nanducurry (crab) - good flavor, but unfortunately lacking heat, which IMO this dish needs. If I ordered again, I would ask if they could make it spicy. As of now it leans more sweet (3.5 day-of) (4.5 next day) Parippu - wanted more flavor and more spice when I dined-in. The beginnings were there, but too subtle IMO. Both aspects improved the next day - amazing. (3.5 day-of) (5/5 next day) Puttu with coconut and subtle carrot - love. But only recommend if you're open to eating with hands. If you eat it with utensils, it won't taste the same (5/5) Kalludosa - great accompaniment esp if you prefer something lighter than paratha. Small, soft pancakes, not crispy (5/5) Pradhaman - I love that this is unapologetically lentil based! If you don't like beans in dessert, you should skip. I just wish that the central component (salty/banana flavor) could be made with a creamy-to-custard-y consistency, rather than its current gelatin texture. The firm gelatin was too much of a contrast to the overall texture of the dish and prevented the flavors from combining as nicely as they otherwise could have (4/5) *Random fyi - their cloth napkins are for some reason very linty. If you're wearing a dark color, you might want to carry a lint roller Will I be back to try more things? - yes. As of now, do I think their entrees taste better as leftovers? - yes. Definitely rooting for them to make some small improvments read more

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Idli amuse bouche - 10/10 Jackfruit and cashew sauce (chakka) - 10/10 Beef pepper fry - 9/10. Right mix of fat and thicker fried base Crab (Nanducurry) - 10/10. Unreal curry and soft crab. Vazhakai - 6/10. A miss for me did not like it as much with the sweetness and the texture although definitely unique and partner loved it. Forgetting the name but amazing gin cocktail as well Overall - probably the most unique elevated Indian food I've had in nyc - more fine dining vibe than Kanyakumari and probably a bit better. Definitely gunning for a star and might have a shot imo - with chef an alum of the only three star Michelin Indian restaurant in world read more

Kidilum - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Great spot for Kerela style food with a twist on some of the items. All three drinks were great. All of the options honestly sounded good. Our favorite dishes were the chukka and both desserts. Only downside was they forgot one of our items we had ordered. We had to let them know when the bill came to have it removed. read more

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Kidilum is a true gem bringing Kerala cuisine onto the map. Chef Vinu has created an incredible experience--from the modern design and warm lighting to the genuinely welcoming staff. The food is outstanding: the Kalanji, Nadan Kozhi, and Porotta are must-orders, and the Payasam and Carrot Halwa are the perfect finish. What's most impressive is how beautifully they elevate traditional home-style dishes into a refined culinary experience without losing authenticity. A must-visit for anyone looking to experience Kerala food in a fresh, thoughtful way. We even had the chance to meet Chef Vinu and learn about his expansive culinary expierence across Europe and now the US. Can't wait to return ! read more

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I would define try out I love eating out. Soon as I can and I support small businesses

The whole package. We arrived without a reservation but were able to get seats at the bar. The cocktails were amazing as was the food, particularly the jackfruit fritters. I look forward to going back. read more

What do I say about Kidilum ? Our experience was absolutely fantastic! From the bartender's drink recommendation (Ney) to Chef Venu to the managers every person we came across was super friendly, helpful and down to earth! The food & presentation is different and unlike anything I've experienced before. Unique taste to all the dishes we ordered, perhaps because they mix and grind all the spices right in the restaurant . We loved the entire experience right from the bar to the dining area to visiting the spice center to learning the history behind Kidilum to meeting owner Archana ji and every member of that team. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

My husband and I had a belated Valentine's date at Kidilum on what turned out to be their third day open - and you absolutely could not tell. The staff and kitchen worked seamlessly to deliver an excellent dining experience in a stylish and surprisingly large dining room. Shout out specifically to our server, Eric, who was wonderful to chat with and had a number of helpful recs! What really stood out was the quality of food - the city's a bit overrun with basic pan Indian or diasporic dishes for $$$, but Kidilum has a regional menu and every single item was cooked and imagined to pretty much perfection. Special mention for the jackfruit appetizer and the clarified tequila cocktail. Really incredible stuff and will definitely be back! read more

Kidilum - iracchi pathiri - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

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By far the best restaurant I have been to in the USA for south Indian food -good service and very tasty food -I have been to other highly rated restaurants for South Indian food but in my humble opinion Kidilum beats them all hands down for South Indian Kerala food read more

As a vegetarian, I'm always excited when I find a restaurant where the vegetarian options feel just as thoughtful, satisfying, and exciting as the rest of the menu, and Kidilum absolutely delivered. There were plenty of options to choose from, and nothing felt like an afterthought. I especially loved the jackfruit, plantain, and mushroom dishes -- all of them were incredibly flavorful, well-executed, and genuinely memorable. The drinks were also some of the best I've had in the city. They were so unique, balanced, and crafted in a way that complemented the food beautifully. Podi, Naranga, and Puliyam were some of my favorites, and each one brought something completely different to the table. What really stood out was how balanced every cocktail was, no matter what liquor it was built around. Even my friends who don't usually gravitate toward certain spirits wanted to try them, and ended up actually really enjoying them. That says a lot about how thoughtful and well-made the cocktail program is. From the beautiful space to the warm hospitality to the quality of both the food and drinks, everything about Kidilum felt elevated and intentional. It's not always easy as a vegetarian to find a place where you feel like you have so many exciting options, but Kidilum really stood out in that way. Such a special and memorable dining experience, and easily one of the most unique spots I've been to in the city. Already can't wait to go back. read more

The food is simply put:amazing. And the people treat you like family. Grate vibe. It is a must stop in city. read more

Great restaurant. I excellent food, service and ambiance. Expensive but worth it for a special evening. Chef is very nice and comes across to all the tables. read more

Beautiful restaurant. From the start you are greeted by such warmth and friendliness from the host. This attitude carries throughout the staff and the service was wonderful. Food has been thoughtfully prepared with amazing taste. After my first visit, I came back the next day because of the warmth and sincerity that radiates from the food, the staff and the overall restaurant. It's a definite must go and must return again restaurant read more

5 star meal. Everything was exceptional! Got teo vegetables and one other dish(forgot the name)

Awesome food, especially enjoyed the pork ribs and lamb chops. However, excellent curries and all around great meal. Ghee washed bourbon cocktail was amazing as well. read more