The best restaurants BACKWATERS

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 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.

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.

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 little blue restaurant has a good reputation. Indeed, the vegetarian food (pure veg) that it proposes is very tasty. The menu is written on a board on the wall. In the morning, it's time for masala dosa, vada, poori, and other idlis, served with an excellent sambar and different chutneys. At noon, a meal (thali) is traditionally served on a banana leaf, as much as you like. This restaurant is very popular among the locals, you will probably have to wait to get a table. Fast service and low prices.

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!

The Raviz restaurant is quite expensive but is delicious, especially the weekend buffets. Keralese specialties are performed perfectly, including fish and crab. It is the ideal place to dine in a cozy atmosphere with impeccable service.

It is part of the Hotel Sudarsan. This air-conditioned restaurant is renowned for serving the best South Indian cuisine. The dishes are explained in English, which facilitates understanding of the map. The specialities of Kerala are good. You can also opt for continental, sizzlers or spaghetti dishes. The service is efficient, but not very smiling. Located near the hotel's reception, a tea lounge offers hot and cold drinks, Indian snacks and sandwiches.

Ramees is one of the best and most popular restaurants in Kollam. In a contemporary and highly air-conditioned setting, you will of course taste the succulent specialties of the state, such as meen pollichathu, a fish cooked with its preparation in a banana leaf, mutton curry (lamb curry) or beef bellary (beef fried in its spices with vegetables). The menu offers a wide range of dishes. The biryanis are also successful. A warmly recommended place to taste authentic Kerala cuisine.

The Azad branch of establishments is famous in Kerala for its very good food offered at low prices. The room is not very charming but is nevertheless clean. On the menu, biryanis (with beef, chicken or lamb), dishes in sauce, excellent Kerala parothas, vegetarian dishes, specialities of the day on the board... However, the service is not the most impeccable and there is no parking at the disposal of the customers.

This is the restaurant of the Allepey Prince Hotel. Rustic tables in a long dining room overlooking the pool: it is definitely a very pleasant restaurant with an old-fashioned atmosphere. The room is air-conditioned. The menu is varied (Indian, Chinese and continental cuisine). The Kerala specialties are to be preferred: the fish cooked in a banana leaf(meen pollichattu) according to the traditional recipe is delicious, as well as all the fish and seafood recipes. A bit out of the way but excellent value for money.

Set on the beach, the Catamaran café opened in December 2016. The breakfasts served are hearty and fresh, based on fruits, cereals or pancakes. During the day, many tourists and locals cross paths to drink refreshing and delicious fruit juices, iced coffees and lemonana. At meal times, Babu and his team prepare salads, vegetarian dishes, fish or chicken sizzlers mixing local and international inspirations. A popular place for backpackers, but one that all travelers enjoy.

This restaurant has moved to the terrace of the Raheem Residency and the old place next to it is now a bar. The cuisine is good and varied. On the menu good fish and seafood specialties and traditional Kerala dishes. It is the meeting place for western travelers who appreciate the open-air tables, the cuisine, but also the fact that you can order a cold beer or even add a bottle of Indian wine to your meal. Attentive and fast service. Without doubt the most pleasant restaurant in the city.

Enjoy vegetarian or non-vegetarian dishes in a comfortable, air-conditioned room. There is also Chinese cuisine. The fish are perfumed and the presentation of the dishes is cared for. 

A restaurant that offers all the essentials of Italian cuisine, the prices are a little higher than in an Indian restaurant but the quality is there. The menu is varied and offers soups, salads, fried squid fritters, chicken steaks, risotto, lasagna, pasta, pizzas and also burgers and sandwiches. The proportions are generous. On the drinks side, there is a wide range of mocktails, fresh fruit juices and hot drinks. This is the best Mediterranean specialty restaurant in town.

One of the oldest and most popular restaurants in the city. After climbing the stairs you enter a spacious and pleasant room. On the menu are South Indian specialties, very good masala dosas, idlys and of course excellent thalis available in several recipes (vegetarian, chicken, fish). Also on the menu are biryanis, kathi rolls, grilled fish, beef dishes... The traditional Kerala recipes are to be preferred because they are particularly tasty. Fast and courteous service.

If you want to enjoy authentic Kerala cuisine in Kottayam, this is the place to go. The establishment has been serving quality traditional cuisine since 1958. Try the Tharavu Curry (duck curry), Meen Pollichathu (fish cooked in a banana leaf, the restaurant's specialty), Chemmeen (prawns), or the chicken specialties, kappa(cassava preparation), appam (thin pancakes)... Although a bit out of the way, this establishment is worth a detour!

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.