Top Must-Try Dishes of Kerala and Where to Eat Them
The southern state of Kerala boasts some of the best cuisines in the country and makes use of the fresh and lush produce of the region. If you are planning a holiday to Kerala soon, we have curated a handy list of the most popular dishes that you must try, and where you can get them.
Puttu and Kadala Curry
Puttu is steamed rice flour and coconut log-shaped cakes. A popular breakfast item, it is usually paired with Kadala curry (black chickpeas). They are also sometimes stuffed with shrimp (Chemmeen Puttu) or beef (Erachi Puttu).
Try it at Dhe Puttu, Ernakulam
Address:1st Floor, East Service Rd, NH 66, Edappally, Ernakulam
Try it at The Cochin Puttu House, Kochi
Address: NRA-62, Nazareth, Chullickal, Kochi
Appam with Stew
Appams are thin lacy pancakes made with a fermented rice-based batter. They are made in traditional woks called appachatti, which give them their signature shape. Pair with mutton roast or the humble, yet tasty stew.
Try it at Steampot restaurant, Thiruvananthapuram
Address: Ground Floor Skyways Building, Pottakuzhy Rd, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram
Try it at Cassia, Alappuzha
Address: NH -47, Kommady, Alappuzha
Nadan Kozhi Varuthathu
This is a traditional Kerala-style fried chicken dish. The spicy dish is made with a melange of spices that give it a unique piquant taste. When fried in coconut oil, it gets a special nutty flavour.
Try it at Hotel Brothers, Alappuzha
Address: General Hospital junction, Alappuzha
Try it at Rahmaniya Kethel's Chicken, Kochi
Address: PTM Chambers, Metro Pillar No 452, Kannanthodath Ln, Palarivattom, Palarivattom - Edappally Rd, Mamangalam, Edappally, Kochi
Karimeen Pollichathu
This famous dish is made with pearl spot fish, which is wrapped and steamed in banana leaves. The signature spice blend that the fish is marinated with is the highlight of the dish, which originated in the Kuttanadan region.
Try it at Rice Boat, Kochi
Address: Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Cochin, Willingdon Island, Kochi
Try it at Grand Pavillion By Grand Hotel. Kochi
Address: Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Ernakulam South, Kochi
Fish Molee
This delicate curry has its roots in central Kerala and is said to have been inspired by Portuguese traders. White fish is cooked in a turmeric and coconut milk gravy. Pair it with appams or red rice.
Try it at Taste of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
Address: Beach Road, Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram
Try it at The Bungalow, Wayanad
Address: Hotel Indriya, near New Bus Terminal, Mandayapuram, Kalpetta
Nadan Beef Curry
A Kerala-style beef curry is a special dish served with rice or parottas. The meat is marinated in a signature spice blend. And the addition of coconuts makes it very different from other beef curries.
Try it at Tellicherry Kitchen, Kochi
Address: Madathikunnel Complex, Kathrikkadav Junction, Kaloor - Kadavanthara Rd, Kochi
Try it at Calicut Paragon, Kozhikode
Address: Kannur Rd, near CH Over bridge, Kozhikode
Thalassery Biryani
This Malabar biryani is very different from the biryani found in other parts of India. It has spicy as well as sweet notes and is traditionally made with Kaima short-grain rice instead of basmati rice.
Try it at Rara Avis Restaurant, Thalassery
Address: Manavatty junction, AVK Nair Road, Pallithazhe, Narangapuram, Thalassery
Try it at Paris Restaurant, Thalassery
Address: Mattampram Road, NH66, Thalassery
Palada Payasam
This payasam is a special dessert prepared during festivals such as Onam. The sweet dish is made with Palada, which is rice wafer, and milk. The silky dessert has notes of cardamom and other spices.
Try it at Suresh Ambi Swami's Mithai Waala, Thrissur
Address: Chirayath Building, College Road, East Fort, Thrissur
Try it at Taste Trees Payasakada, Kochi
Address: Palarivattom - Edappally Rd, Kesaveeyam, Sonia Nagar, Palarivattom, Kochi
Pazham Pori
Sometimes also called Ethakka Appam, these are one of the most beloved snacks in the state of Kerala. The fritters are made with ripe bananas, which are sliced, coated in a batter, and fried.
Try it at Sree Muruga Cafe, Kochi
Address: Mini Bypass Tripunithura Rd, Poonithura, Thrippunithura, Kochi
Try it at GP Hotel and Tea Shop, Thiruvananthapuram
Address: Sree Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Rd, Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram
Avial
Another famous festive delicacy on the list is Avail. Made with seasonal vegetables such as yam, beans, brinjal, carrots, and drumsticks, the dish has flavours of coconut and spices.
In restaurants, you can find it as part of meals or thalis.
Try it at Le Méridien, Kochi
Address: Nettoor, Maradu, Kochi
Try it at Steampot restaurant, Thiruvananthapuram
Address: Ground Floor Skyways Building, Pottakuzhy Rd, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram
Parotta with beef
A quintessential classic combination is Malabar Parotta with beef fry. The layered flakey parottas (wheat-based flatbread) pair very well with spicy beef fry. The dish is a popular quick lunch option.
Try it at Malabar Cafe, Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, Kochi
Address: Lobby Level, Grand Hyatt Kochi, Mulavukad, Bolgatty, Kochi,
Try it at Jetty, Kochi
Address: Forte Kochi, Princess St, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi,
Kappa Meen Curry
Another favourite combination is Kappa Meen Curry. Kappa is steamed tapioca that is mashed, and the meen curry aka fish curry is served atop it. A must-try comb when in Kerala.
Try it at Ponnammas Kalavara, Kochi
Address: Mahakavi Vailoppilli Rd, Chakkalakkal, Palarivattom, Kochi, K
Try it at Garden Grille Restaurant, Thiruvananthapuram
Address: Punnen Rd, Statue, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram
Idiyappam
This breakfast staple goes by many names - Idiyappam, Nool puttu (string puttu), or string hoppers. Rice flour is pressed into noodles and then steamed. The dish is served with kadala curry (black gram curry), traditionally.
Try it at Palaaram Traditions, Kochi
Address: New Kudumbi Colony, Kumaranasan Nagar, Kadavanthra, Kochi
Try it at Halais Restaurant, Alappuzha
Address: CCSB Road Near South Police Station, Kodiveedu, Alappuzha
Anagha Maareesha
I am a journalist based in Bangalore with more than a decade of experience. Food, travel and learning more about new cultures are what bring me the most joy. Though a travel-bug at heart, you can mostly find me at home with a frayed paperback and a large mug of tea.
