The best Indian restaurants Kerala

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.

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...

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 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.

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.

This restaurant is located in the hotel of the same name. If you are in transit between two buses, this is the ideal place to take a break. You can find vegetarian food from South and North India and Chinese specialties. The Veg Noodles or the biryani are a complete meal. The menu also includes fresh fruit juices, ice cream and falooda, an Indian frozen dessert that combines rose syrup, rice vermicelli, fresh fruit, milk and ice cream. The establishment is located on the left side of the bus stand.

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...

This restaurant, although a little more expensive than its neighbors, enjoys a certain popularity and is a must for the walk. The room is nicely decorated. The fish tikka and other tandoori dishes are particularly good. You can order a platter for 2 or 3 persons, including fish, prawns, lobster and squid, and choose the cooking. Traditional Kerala dishes are more affordable than seafood, which is priced according to weight... and a bit on the head of the customer.

A restaurant with a pleasant and modern aesthetic, with pleasant Indian classical music in the background. The food is excellent, especially the specialties of Udupi; one can enjoy a great thali for lunch, served on a banana leaf as is the tradition. For breakfast, the inevitable masala dosa, idly, puri and vada are on the menu. Also on the menu: a wide variety of dal (lentil) preparations, noodles, curries, Jain specialties (without garlic or onions)...

This unpretentious restaurant is one of the most popular in the city! The reason? It serves excellent grilled food cooked in the Indian or Arabic way. Excellent specialties of fish and seafood, lamb, chicken... The fish grilled in the Kerala way is absolutely delicious and to be accompanied by very good parothas. The service can sometimes drag on. On Fridays, day of the mosque, the restaurant offers a limited menu for lunch and closes in the afternoon. Close to the university, the restaurant is often crowded.

The Joys Palace restaurant is an excellent option for both lunch and dinner. The reasonably priced buffet offers a variety of dishes: salads, soups, main courses, breads, desserts... The emphasis is on Indian cuisine, but international specialties are also available. You can also order à la carte. It is simple, well cooked, the choice is vast and the service is friendly. Excellent value for money.

This excellent little restaurant offers, as its name does not indicate, authentic Kerala specialties and fresh fish and seafood: pollichathu fish cooked in a banana leaf, shrimps with mango or coconut curry, squid starters, beef in sauce, soups. Simple and good quality dishes that are not too spicy. For lunch, the restaurant offers excellent thalis. The restaurant is fully booked in season. An address to remember, close to Princess Street.

Located next to the Karthika guesthouse, this restaurant doesn't look like much, but the food is good and the prices are very competitive. The owner is from Gujarat and he will certainly make you taste some specialities of his native region. English is not spoken very well, but we make ourselves understood. Several vegetarian thalis (pure veg) are proposed, from Gujarat of course, from Punjab, Bombay and South India. Many other choices on the menu.

Located on the rooftop of the Sasthapuri Hotel, this restaurant, renovated in 2018, allows you to dine in an open-air room. Plants, bamboo decor, dimmed lights, checkered tablecloths... But don't expect a romantic atmosphere: the restaurant serves as a bar to an almost exclusively male population. Indian and Chinese cuisine, as well as specialties from the Malabar coast are offered. Beer, wine and other spirits are also served. One of the most pleasant places in town for dinner.

This popular restaurant is located next to the Mount Carmel Church. The waiters are bustling, orders are shouted towards the kitchen, the flow of guests does not stop. They serve good South Indian vegetarian food (or more exactly pure veg), fresh, generously served and not too spicy, all on a banana leaf. Everything is good: thalis, soups, breads... There are also tandoori dishes, ice creams and fruit juices. Recommended, even if you will probably have to wait a little to get a place.

Located on the^first floor above a supermarket of fine products, this restaurant does not shine for its atmosphere, rather cold and devoid of charm. However, the menu is interesting and offers a variety of cuisines: traditional Kerala dishes, Thai recipes, soups, tandoori brochettes, Chinese noodles, burgers... Beef, lamb, chicken, fish and seafood, the choice is vast. We particularly recommend the Kerala specialties, like beef kizhi (cooked in a banana leaf). A good option!