The best restaurants Kerala

Timetable

Traditional restaurants are open, as in France, for lunch and dinner, often with a weekly closing day (or two). Some restaurants open only for lunch or dinner. In tourist towns and seaside resorts, restaurants are often open non-stop from morning to night.

Budget & Tips

Smaller restaurants generally don't accept credit cards, but some now accept payment via an app (GooglePay or similar). Mid-range and high-end restaurants almost all accept payment by credit card.

In the mountains of the Western Ghats and in certain tourist areas, some places offer to fill your water bottle with water for a small fee, to avoid the proliferation of plastic bottles.

What costs extra

In big-city restaurants, be sure to check the price list, which will indicate whether government taxes (10%) and service (between 5 and 10%) are included in the price. The bill can sometimes climb very quickly!

The local way

Many travelers consider Kerala's cuisine to be among the best in the country. The best meals are often surprisingly inexpensive and, although not vegetarian, many travelers enjoy the countless vegetarian dishes offered by restaurants. Thali, known as meal in Kerala, is a complete meal traditionally served on a banana leaf and accompanied by unlimited rice. It allows you to sample a multitude of dishes in a single sitting. And don't hesitate to try the famous masala dosa, lentil pancakes with vegetables, especially potatoes: a simple dish, but much appreciated by Westerners... and Indians, who eat them for breakfast. The abundance of fish on the coast further increases the choice at mealtimes, with the catch of the day sometimes displayed on a stall outside restaurants.

Beef. Although cows are sacred in India, it is still possible to find them on the menu of certain restaurants in Kerala, where beef is highly prized, even by Hindus. On a national scale, however, its consumption remains marginal, and beef is favored above all by Muslims.

To be avoided

Always eat with the right hand, the left being considered impure.

To avoid illness, avoid raw vegetables, which are often washed in dubious water, and unpeeled fruit.

Also avoid fruit juices cut with water (ask for them without ice or water), and ice creams sold on the street. Always wash your hands before and after every meal. By sparing your stomach, you'll enjoy India's delights all the more!

It's better toopt for typical local dishes rather than (so-called) continental ones. Many a tourist has fallen ill from a dish of pasta or pizza... Of course, this is not a general rule, but at least Indians know the secrets of a good thali or chicken tikka masala...

For fresh fruit juices, Indians often add sugar or salt. If you don't want any, please specify it when you order.

Smokers

Smoking is strictly prohibited in public places. Some restaurants have a smoking area, separated from the rest of the room. In the tourist areas and along the coast, it is possible to smoke on some open-air terraces. However, ask the waiter or use your common sense (presence of children or families nearby, etc.) before doing so.