This contemporary restaurant pays homage to Kerala’s spirit in the heart of Madras. When a charming old home in Poes Garden was handed over for a transformation in 2019, the intent was clear: to create an immersive fine-dining experience that honoured Kerala’s cultural and culinary legacy—without falling into the clichés. The brief was deceptively simple—“Make it feel like Kerala, but not typically so.”
The vision for this transformation was sparked by Mahadevan, fondly known in culinary circles as The Bread King, whose legacy in building iconic food destinations across India is legendary. It was his son, Tarun, who stepped in to take over the reins and breathe new life into Ente Keralam. With a keen design sensibility and a love for storytelling through space, Tarun envisioned a restaurant that wasn’t just a place to eat—but a place that felt like Kerala. To bring this to life, Crea Projects, led by Narayanan Krishna Kumar took on the challenge. Narayanan envisioned a space that echoed the soul of a traditional Kerala home, filled with nostalgia yet dressed in a contemporary rhythm. Alongside his core design team, Yashwanth and Catherin, the studio carefully crafted a spatial poem—layered, rooted, and warm.
This Contemporary Restaurant Pays Homage to Kerala’s Spirit | Crea Projects
At the core of the project lies a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling. Locally sourced materials like reclaimed wood, coir, terracotta, and natural textiles create a tactile, rooted palette. The design celebrates Kerala’s vernacular spirit, not through mimicry, but through reinterpretation. From upcycled furniture and low-energy lighting to handwoven fabrics and earthy finishes—sustainability was not an afterthought, but a design driver.
Craft is ever-present. Artisanal elements—hand-carved furniture, brass lamps, traditional urulis, murals—were made by local hands. Every detail carries cultural resonance while seamlessly blending with the contemporary spatial language.
The planning draws from Kerala’s Nalukettu homes—tearing down walls to allow light, air, and movement. Slatted wood partitions, terracotta installations, and minimal, modern furniture establish a gentle dialogue between the old and the new.
A custom light feature made by chopping terracotta jars and suspending them from the ceiling. The light spills out in warm, dappled patterns, turning these everyday vessels into glowing sculptural moments overhead.
A private dining room enveloped in terracotta—walls, ceiling, even accents. Warm, earthy, and intimate, this space cocoons guests in a tactile, temple-like quietness. A place where meals feel like rituals and time slows down.
A live culinary counter where food takes centre stage. High stools line the warm counter as chefs prepare appams and puttu fresh off the pan. Dubbed the Appam Bar by the chef, it’s a space where the kitchen aroma becomes part of the experience—bringing diners face-to-face with the making of every bite.
A ceiling installation inspired by tropical filler slabs, where terracotta bowls float like inverted lotuses. Suspended overhead, they create a rhythmic play of light and texture—functional, whimsical, and unmistakably rooted in regional architecture.
An intimate seating nook that reimagines the oonjal—Kerala’s iconic swing—using suspended wooden panels on brass chains. It’s nostalgic, playful, and ever so slightly theatrical—crafted for long conversations and quiet romance.
The palette leans into rich, earthy tones—deep browns, muted reds, vermilion, and saffron—accentuated by the quiet gleam of brass and the warmth of cane and coir. Terracotta isn’t just a material here—it’s a mood. Found in unexpected places—from furniture to ceilings—it anchors the experience with honesty and surprise.
Ente Keralam isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a homecoming. A sensory narrative of Kerala told through space, scent, light, and touch—rooted in memory, but designed for today. In a city as fast-paced as Madras, this is one address that invites you to slow down, sit back, and savour the story.
Fact File
Designed by: Crea Projects
Project Type: Restaurant Interior Design
Project Name: Ente Keralam
Location: Poes Garden, Chennai
Year Built: 2019
Duration of the project: 6 Months
Project Size: 2500 Sq.ft
Project Cost: 50 Lakhs
Principal Architect: Ar. Narayanan Krishna Kumar
Team Design Credits: Ar. Yashwanth. S & Ar. Catherin. P
Photograph Courtesy: Phosart Studio
Firm’s Website Link: Crea Projects
Firm’s Instagram Link: Crea Projects
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