Varkala
Trattorias sounds Italian and does indeed rustle up decent pastas, pizzas and European breakfasts, but the menu is equally pan-Asian and Indian (with…
Must-see restaurants in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Pocketed away in an otherwise unexciting mall, 2km east of central Trivandrum, this laid-back self-styled cafe-bistro is run by a duo of hands-on actors…
Kochi (Cochin)
Wooden walls, scattered hanging lanterns and a decade-old creeper plant lend an indoor-outdoor feel to this self-styled restocafe, whose New Zealand…
Kochi (Cochin)
With trailing plants, gleaming fresh-cake displays and newspapers to flick through, this bright cafe makes a sophisticated, rustic-chic retreat from busy…
Kerala
On the fun side of Ashtamudi Lake, 1km north of the jetty, this creative cafe in a restored heritage building with a breezy verandah and a leafy garden is…
Munnar
An easy-going traveller-oriented cafe, opposite the bus station, for Continental-style breakfasts (omelettes, fruit salads), fresh juices, carrot cake and…
Kozhikode (Calicut)
A local favourite for its Malabar dishes, biryanis and snacks, with a small terrace out the front, three-decades-old Zains is run by the entrepreneurial…
Kovalam
It doesn't look like much, but this rustic pure-veg courtyard restaurant hidden back from Lighthouse Beach dishes up excellent Keralan-style cooking,…
Kannur
Tables dot a wraparound verandah overlooking a shady garden with vibrant hand-painted murals at this warm, sociable and contemporary hang-out, 700m west…
Kochi (Cochin)
On the footpath behind the Chinese fishing nets are several fishmongers, from whom you can buy fish, prawns, scampi or lobster, then take your selection…
Northern Kerala
A stand-out roadside restaurant on the western outskirts of Sultanbatheri, where snappy service delivers an eclectic menu of North and South Indian,…
Kovalam
The busy red-cloth tables tell a story: attentive service, candlelight at night and views through pot plants to the crashing waves set the tone for…
Kovalam
On a gently sloping hillside above Samudra Beach, this two-storey restaurant boasts enviable ocean and sunset views beyond slender palms, while keen staff…
Kochi (Cochin)
A stylishly restored 200-year-old Dutch-Portuguese-style building, Loafers is all reclaimed wood, minimalist design, cosy window booths and delicate…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
A friendly, tucked-away courtyard cafe at Nanni Backpackers Hostel, 500m west of the beach, with a genuine Italian espresso machine, where you can tuck…
Periyar Tiger Reserve
At the English-manor-style hotel of the same name, Ambadi feels more formal than most Kumily eateries, with an almost churchlike decor of carved wood and…
Kerala
Indian flavours infuse the global-inspired menu at this fashionable hang-out furnished with cosy booths, suspended lamps and coffee paraphernalia. Spicy…
Kovalam
A friendly, simple seaside old-timer with check-print tablecloths and reliably good fresh cooking, hidden behind fishing boats where Hawa Beach meets…
Kovalam
An easy-going balcony restaurant overlooking Lighthouse Beach, Indian-Swedish-operated ABC does a wide-ranging global menu of omelettes, soups, veg…
Kerala
Dark, intimate and air-con-cooled, this is one of the classier dining experiences in the city centre, with marble-effect floors and seating at check-cloth…
Kerala
A breezy, open-sided, French-Portuguese-Indian-run hang-out for sea views, relaxed vibes and authentically good European-style comfort food right by the…
Munnar
A sizzling Indian-international menu of red-hot noodles, spiced seafood platters, paneer/chicken tikka, northern gravies and southern thalis draws locals…
Kannur
Tucked into the entrance to Kannur's train station, MRA does delicious biryanis and tandoori platters as well as dosas and Keralan classics like molee …
Kochi (Cochin)
You'll be cooking up your own chicken, prawn, fish, falafel or paneer skewers (spiced to individual heat levels) on personal grilling stations before…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Locally famous for its chicken and mutton biryanis, busy Halais is a clean restaurant hidden behind a street-front sweet shop. It's also popular for…
Varkala
This fun place doesn't really need to play on the Kerala Tourism tagline – the Indian-international food is good (including spiced fish wrapped in banana…
Munnar
Town-centre branch of South India's favourite pure-veg chain, serving all the idlis, dosas and filter coffee you could want. The restaurant was closed at…
Munnar
Friendly and well-dressed, this all-veg hit at the northern end of Munnar keeps busy with families for its great range of thalis: pick from Rajasthani,…
Kochi (Cochin)
This no-frills spot is legendary among Kochi locals for its lunchtime chicken, mutton and seafood biryanis – get here early or miss out. Don't confuse it…
Kannur
Kannur's must-try restaurant, in the market area, is usually packed at lunchtime. The speciality is Malabar cuisine, specifically the banana-leaf thalis…
Kerala
A favourite Kottayam spot to fill up on Indian and Chinese fare, hidden in a tidy modern upstairs restaurant in the heart of town. There's a friendly,…
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
A busy family favourite serving authentic Keralan seafood dishes such as molee (fish pieces in coconut sauce) and prawn masala, and excellent biryanis and…
Kerala
The combination of Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisines turns out some delectable dishes at modern, well-kept Wok & Grill, just west of central Kollam…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Designed to resemble a kettuvallam (rice barge), Dreamers stands across the road from Alleppey Beach, where it's unfortunately being blighted by a massive…
Kozhikode (Calicut)
From the team behind Calicut's famous Paragon Restaurant, frills-free Salkara fuels hungry rail travellers with Malabari biryanis, steaming filter coffee,…
Varkala
Relocated to less shack-like premises (after the original burnt down), the Juice Shack turns out creative, health-focused tropical juices and smoothies in…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
Indian, Chinese and Arabic flavours collide at smart Cochin Majlis, whose sprawling air-con dining hall and smattering of terrace tables are set back from…
Kerala
Amid whirring ceiling fans and red plastic chairs, this super-central branch of the always-reliable ICH dishes out steaming biryanis, masala dosas (large…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
The most colourful dining space in town, this food-meets-art restaurant in Alleppey's bazaar area greets you with vibrant tables and contemporary local…
Kovalam
On the north half of Lighthouse Beach, this 1st-floor cafe-restaurant, with its balcony and wicker chairs, stands out for tasty Euro dishes like rösti,…
