Free classified website Gumtree has long been a favourite in Brighton and Hove for finding a housemate, a job and a second-hand ironing board.

Now the popular site can lay claim to helping set up a new Indian cafe-restaurant making a splash in the city’s burgeoning dining scene.

Curry Leaf Cafe opened earlier this month after founders Kanthi Thamma and Euan Sey met on Gumtree less than a year ago.

Just a few weeks in, it has already been ranked in the top ten best restaurants in Brighton on Trip Advisor.

Former journalist Euan said: “I naturally gravitated towards foodrelated writing. I figured that was about as involved as I would ever get with the food business.

“When I met Kanthi and he began talking about starting up his own business, I knewthis wasmychance to do something new with my life.

I've never been more excited about anything.”

Located in the heart of the Lanes, on Ship Street, The Curry Leaf Cafe is no regular Indian restaurant.

It promises fun dining, colourful dishes with exotic Southern Indian spices in a happy and relaxed atmosphere.

Euan added: “We wanted to work with bright, warm colours. The shades of green are inspired by curry leaves.

“The colours started off even brighter, but when we were decorating the cafe we naturally gravitated towards dustier shades that would create a relaxing atmosphere.”

The cafe serves morning brunches, lunches, dinner and snacks at affordable prices.

Dishes include South Indian tastes such as masala omelette, Keralan pork, fragrant lamb kebabs and vegetable sambars, with half the menu vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free.

The cafe also boasts a range of Indian spiced teas, craft beers, spirits and cocktails.

Curry Leaf Cafe is also joining forces with Brighton’s Craft Beer Co for a monthly pop-up kitchen where beers will accompany their South Indian street food and curries.

The first event will take place at the Craft Beer Co, on Upper North Street, Brighton, on Thursday.

For more information go to www.curryleafcafe.com.