The best restaurants Kerala

A place opened by Swedes (as its name suggests), and run by Nepalese... Fast and friendly service, quality cuisine, lounge atmosphere... Varied menu, with Mediterranean salads, Indian dishes, Nepalese momos, delicious sandwiches with home-made bread, excellent breakfasts, fresh fruit juices... Probably the only restaurant on the cliff that has been consistent in quality for years! That's all it took to make this place a must in Varkala. Mamma mia!

Malabar House is located in the heart of the historic center of Fort Kochi, 3 minutes walk from Chinese fishing nets. It is an establishment, certified Relais & Châteaux, which harmoniously combines traditional Indian art with modern design. You will feel at home, a small paradise in the middle of this vibrant and ancient port town. Each room is unique with its color, furniture and art objects. Swimming pool, air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, safe and wireless internet access are available. Three types of room: Luxury rooms, suites with roof terrace and duplex duplex suite. The hotel features a superb restaurant, Malabar Junction, known throughout India for its exceptional cuisine. La Malabar House also houses an unusual wine and tapas bar, the Divine.

This is the right address if you are looking for South Indian cuisine and snacks. At lunch time, it's crowded and you have to wait for a place. Shut up early in the evening.

The entrance is small, but after a narrow corridor, you arrive in a large restaurant room with a modern design. This address is very popular with locals and western tourists. The menu is varied (excellent Kerala specialties, noodles, snacks, ice cream...). The dishes are tasty and generously served. However, make sure that the waiter understands your order, as the staff does not understand English well. The walls of the place are adorned with works of art by local artists. There is a smaller branch on Cullen Road.

This restaurant deserves to be in the luxury category for several reasons. First of all for the setting, which is probably the most romantic in Fort Kochi: you dine in the garden, in the shade of a giant mango tree, surrounded by beautiful lights. A traditional Indian music orchestra comes regularly to play at dinner time. For the cuisine offered, of course: Kerala cuisine, seafood, tandoor or Western cuisine. Finally, the establishment offers a very interesting Indian wine list.

This is the restaurant of the Fort House hotel, but you can access it independently. At the end of the tropical garden, it is on a long pontoon on the sea that you will be able to dine, between the lapping of the waves against the piles and the freshness of the breeze. Several Kerala specialties such as fish or shrimps with green mango (Fish Prawn Green Mango), but also pork vindaloo (Pork Vindaloo), very spicy, to be accompanied byappam (traditional pancake), but also soups (the amazing tomato and basil soup).

Chased away from Mullackal Road, this popular restaurant has retreated not far away, on the canal side, next to the YMCA. It serves very good thalis, called mealshere. You'll also find a great selection of local fish, both sea and lake. If you like spicy food, try the meen pollichattu, fish cooked in a banana leaf. The more delicate palates will appreciate the podimeen fry which is similar to our smelt fry. The place is frequented by locals, which is a guarantee of the quality of the cuisine.

A well known chain all over India for more than 50 years, and the place even seems to date back to that time! Good simple Indian food at low prices. The waiters wear fan-shaped hats and the walls are decorated with portraits of historical Congress leaders. They serve snacks and real meals. It's a popular spot among locals. Another open-air establishment is located on the waterfront next to the Raheem Residency. However, its opening hours depend on the season and the weather...

Hidden in a maze of alleys, this small Tibetan restaurant offers vegetarian or non-vegetarian ravioli, tingmo (steam-cooked Tibetan bread) or noodles. An interesting alternative!

With a pleasant atmosphere, a large terrace and beautiful views, it is a good choice to enjoy fish and seafood: you can specify the cooking method and the cooks are particularly inspired. You will also find the classics of Indian cuisine on the menu. It is also a good option for breakfast. The prices are very reasonable and in the evening you can even suggest your own music. The rooftop terrace has probably the most beautiful view on the beach of the whole cliff.

Considered by the locals as the best biryani restaurant in town, the tables are crowded at lunchtime. You have to pass through the store selling dates, perfumes and sweets to get to the large room lit by neon lights and cooled by fans. The choice of dishes is posted on the wall: chicken biryani, shrimp biryani, fish biryani, mutton biryani... they are all delicious and not too spicy. To be accompanied by the excellent pickle (condiments preserved in vinegar)with home-made dates. Nice setting.

Recently renovated architecture, including high tables with a magnificent view, a bookstore and exhibitions of paintings by local artists: all of these assets make this establishment on the cliff one of the most popular with tourists. Italian menu of course, but also Indian, Chinese and Western. Homemade pasta and bread. You can choose your fish and seafood from the stall at the entrance. As for desserts, the chocolate mousse is worth the detour! Service sometimes a little nonchalant.

This restaurant offers all the specialties of Kerala cuisine and Mediterranean recipes at very affordable prices: Kerala fish curry or a meen peera pattichattu (Kerala style fried fish with grated coconut) with rice,appam, papad and vegetables. The goanese dishes are not to be outdone. The small plus is the bay window which shows the cooks at work: very rare in India. Friendly place, attentive service, great choice of dishes and very good value for money.

This Casino Hotel restaurant, built around a magnificent tree, is open to non-residents. It serves fabulous Kerala coastal cuisine. There is no menu, but a cart with the day's catch is brought in for you to choose from. Seafood is sold by the kilo. Of course, just like your meal, the bill will be high! The atmosphere of the place is very cosy, with subdued lights and a neat decoration.

The ideal place to enjoy a true espresso or to grab a piece on the background of Hindi pop.

The most popular establishment in Munnar among backpackers, serving good chicken biryanis , fish curries, excellent Kerala parothas, as well as international dishes, spicy or not, according to your convenience. On the menu you will find some dishes like chatchouka, Sri Lankan kothus, salads, burgers... The decor is sober and the atmosphere not really warm, however the owner is friendly. It is certainly not great gastronomy but the Rapsy is a good choice in this price range.

This establishment, which was renovated in 2021, is a classic. The large terrace on the waterfront is particularly pleasant and is crowded as soon as the sun goes down. There is also an air-conditioned room upstairs. On the menu are many Kerala specialties, including excellent fish, shrimp and crab dishes, but also some North Indian recipes such as the inevitable biriyani. Various chicken dishes are also available. Beer and wine available. Reservations are recommended in the evening.

Clafouti is a nice place to start the day! This bakery serves good croissants, pastries and raisin rolls. The breakfasts are good and cheap. The menu is similar to the other restaurants, with some Thai dishes added, but it is very popular. Excellent specialties cooked in the tandoor. You can sip a beer or a fresh fruit juice on the floor, while admiring the open sea. The service is fast and pleasant, and the prices are lower than in neighboring establishments.

The restaurant of the Spice Village Resort is a little wonder. A minimalist menu, which is usually a good sign, and a very fine cuisine, elaborated mostly with organic products from the plantations of the establishment. The setting is pleasant and romantic, with musicians playing while you dine. It is also an opportunity to taste Indian wine, and why not accompany your meal with a fresh Sula Chenin blanc. To finish the meal, ask the waiter to taste one of the local infusions, the specialty of the place.

The entrance is through a small door to access the terrace of this nice family restaurant. The decoration, composed of vintage objects and frames, is original and gives the place a pleasant atmosphere. The subdued lights, the candles, and the discreet and well chosen music contribute to the old-fashioned atmosphere of the place. On the menu, Indian specialties, but also pasta, breakfasts... Possibility to drink a cold beer. One drawback however: the service is rather slow, but you feel good...