Kochi, also referred to as Cochin, is a coastal state in Kerala steeped in history. The picturesque coastline, various art galleries and diverse cultural settlement draws domestic and international tourists alike. If you’re visiting Cochin anytime soon, below is a list of places to try Kerala food in the charming town.
Grand Pavilion (inside Grand Hotel), Mahatma Gandhi Road
If you’re looking to feast on Kerala food in an upscale setting, then Grand Pavilion is the place. The multi-cuisine restaurant is known for Kerala food and Karimeen (pearl spot fish) preparations in particular. The impressive menu features a mix of diverse meat offerings as well as vegetarian curry options. For a hearty meal, you can consider ordering vegetable, chicken, or fish curry meals.
Timings: Breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and dinner from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Address: X7CP+64W, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Ernakulam South, Kochi, Kerala
Cheenavala, Edappally
The seafood restaurant has a dedicated section for crab, squid, prawns, and Neymeen with roast, fry, curry and theeyal cooking styles to choose from. Additionally, you can select a chatti curry and pair it with an appam or puttu from the bread section. But if you want to sample a variety of dishes, get their seafood thali.
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Address: Ground Floor Pushpamangalam, Service Rd, Near Bhima Jewellery, Edappally, Kochi, Kerala
Restaurant Chef Pillai (inside Le Meridien), Maradu
What better way to sample the cuisine than to eat at a legendary chef’s restaurant? Everything at RCP carries the region's flavour - right from small plates to mains and even mocktails. The menu comprises a mix of everyday home-style dishes to particular ones found in a wedding feast. Savour the Malabari Muslim biryani (available only for lunch) with a Kerala toddy from the mocktail menu.
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Address: Le Meridien, Nettoor, Maradu, Kochi, Kerala
Vellakkanthaari Restaurant, near Ponnarimangalam Toll Plaza, Mulavukad
The shady roof, meals served on banana leaves, the whiff from their open kitchen, and food stored in earthen urulis (regional kitchenware) enhance the dining experience here. To place your order, refer to the restaurant’s whiteboard primarily consisting of Pothichoru options, beef, crab or duck roast, and a variety of seafood fries for sides.
Timings: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Address: National Highway 966A near Ponnarimangalam toll plaza, Mulavukad, Ernakulam, Kerala
Swargam Restaurant, Kumbalam
Swargam has outdoor seating, laid with long picnic benches that overlook the backwaters, making it best experienced in the evenings. The restaurant offers a brief menu containing curry, fry and roast options under beef, poultry, fish, and tapioca for vegetarians which you can pair with Pathiri or Appam from the bread section. There are a variety of beverage options available as well.
Timings: 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Address: Koppanalil Road, Kumbalam, Ernakulam, Kerala
Kolam La Cuisine, Kakkanad
Kolam La Cuisine has a lovely open area seating and serves select Kerala dishes in addition to elaborate cafe fare. The restaurant serves a variety of meats and culturally diverse dishes, such as pan-roasted beef prepared in the Syrian style, Fish Moily with Portuguese influences, and Kuttanadan duck roast, to name a few.
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Tuesdays
Address: 2926+97R, Kakkanad, Kerala
Calicut Notebook Restaurant, Kaloor and multiple outlets
The multi-cuisine restaurant offers meat and vegetarian curry-meal options, seafood sides, creamy curries to go with traditional breads as well as biryani preparations. However, their ‘nostalgia’ section on the menu with chutneys and pickled varieties like Manga Uppilittath, Chammanthi and Chemmeen podi remain the highlight of their offerings.
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Address: Indian Express Building, Banerji Rd, Kaloor, Ernakulam, Kerala
Paragon Restaurant, Edappally and multiple outlets
Paragon is a famed chain of multi-cuisine restaurants scattered across town. In addition to seafood delicacies, it also offers traditional beef, mutton, chicken, and egg preparations from diverse communities of Kerala. You can sample the Mappila Muslim beef curry, Alleppey chicken curry and Nadan mutton soup to name a few and end your meal on a sweet note with Elaneer payasam.
Timings: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Address: Lulu Shopping Mall, Edappally Junction, Nethaji Nagar, Edappally, Kochi, Kerala
Arippa Restaurant, Mahatma Gandhi Road
The restaurant serves Naadan cuisine and has soothing interiors with arched windows and murals of rural scenes on the walls. At very affordable prices, it offers a wide selection of curries, roasts, and fries as well as a variety of biryani and thali options. Refer to their extensive beverage menu, ranging from fresh juices to shakes to quench your thirst.
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Address: Mahatma Gandhi Rd, South, Pallimukku, Kochi, Kerala
Dhe Puttu, Edappally
You should visit Dhe Puttu if you enjoy traditional puttu and are willing to try new flavours. The restaurant offers a variety of flavours, ranging from a straightforward egg puttu to a sweet cashew and date puttu to a beef biryani puttu that makes for a meal on its own. A few non-vegetarian and vegetarian curries are also available to go with the puttu.
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Address: 1st Floor, East Service Rd, NH 66, Edappally, Ernakulam, Kerala
Tharavadu Eatery, near Park Central, Kaloor
Thatched roofs, long wooden benches, murals and dim lighting form the decor at this place. The eatery offers an interesting curation of continental and traditional Kerala offerings with seafood specials, fish curry meals, and curries on the menu. Octopus and rabbit and an extensive dosa menu with meat and meatless variants stand out amongst their offerings. Additionally, you can sample local treats like Pazhampori and chicken cutlet.
Timings: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Address: Kaloor - Kadavanthara Rd, opposite Chammany chambers, near park central, Kathrikadavu, Kaloor, Ernakulam, Kerala
Sree Muruga Cafe, Thrippunithura
The roadside eatery is a local favourite for meals, snacks, and breakfast items. Along with the meat options, the restaurant also offers biriyani, kappa, and vegetarian curries to eat with parotta, poori or chapathi. The Pazhampori beef is a must-try when here.
Timings: 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Address: Mini Bypass Tripunithura Rd, Poonithura, Thrippunithura, Kochi, Kerala
Fusion Bay, Satacruse Basilica Junction
The setting at Fusion Bay evokes a homely atmosphere and the eatery offers a variety of Kerala dishes prepared in cooking styles with Dutch influences, Fort Cochin fish delicacies, and even Jewish and Syrian Christian favourites. However, the restaurant's best-selling dishes are the varied fish pollichathu selections and the delicate coconut rice.
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Address: 1/451, KB Jacob Rd, Santacruse Basilica Junction, Kunnumupuram, Fort, Kochi, Kerala
Images for Calicut Notebook, Restaurant Chef Pillai and Grand Hotel are sourced from respective brand websites. Other images are sourced from Pexels and are for representation purposes only.
Himani Sona
I’m a Bangalore based Culinary Chronicler who finds joy in food storytelling and photography. I like to research and document food narratives through writings, illustrations and photographs. When I’m away from the lens and pen, I’m mostly hiking in the woods.
