A vegan restaurant that specialises in Indian cuisine says it has pioneered a first for Southampton by creating the first ever Indian-inspired pizza.

Padharo on East Street has already become a mainstay in Southampton by being the first to bring vegan curries to the city when it opened in August 2023.

After going from strength to strength and always staying on the hunt for a new gap in the market, the Padharo team have now created an all-new brand.

Popado will be serving Southampton’s first ever Indian-inspired pizza brand – many of which are vegan and vegetarian friendly.

(Image: Ryan Stanikk) All pizzas will be cooked to order in the restaurant’s very own pizza oven with traditional Indian spices and flavours.

Co-owner of Popado and Padharo, Ankit Vaghela, 34, said that his team create all their very own dough and sauces.

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Ankit said: “When we took on the Padharo premises, we inherited a beautiful Pompeii-style pizza oven.

“We have been very keen to launch an Indian-inspired pizza brand, but wanted to time it perfectly so that we could refine our recipes, create our own dough and sauces we are proud of, and offer something here in Southampton that we don't believe exists anywhere else in Hampshire - a purely vegetarian and vegan pizza brand.

“We are excited to bring our fresh ingredients and flavours to the pizza market, and very proud to be vegetarian.

“India has the highest percentage of vegetarians of any country in the world, and so we love that we can represent this through what we do.”

Some of the pizza flavours include Veggie lababdar, makhani chick'n, margherita, and an array of side dishes such as masala fries, stuffed garlic bread and chick'n bites. 

(Image: Ryan Stanikk) Ankit said that they hoped that children and those who are apprehensive about Indian cuisine will be able to experience Indian flavours without having to try a full curry.

The co-owner continued: “Pizzas also give a fantastic entry point for kids into experiencing Indian flavours without having to dive straight into eating a curry or naan.”

At current, pizzas are only available for delivery.

Popado will launch at midday on Friday on Deliveroo with a special 50 per cent off deal on everything and will also be available on Uber Eats in the near future.