9 Best Restaurants in Southern Kerala, Kerala

This former 18th-century Dutch mansion with its lush garden courtyard, classical architecture, and ancient art and relics dotting the grounds, once served as an arumana ammaveedu or home of the consorts of the king of Travancore. Regarded as Trivandrum’s finest restaurant, this oasis in the heart of the city features an eclectic collection of dishes from Kerala, as well as Morocco, Mexico, and Italy. It serves beer and wine.

Specialties at this popular chain restaurant include biryani, a flavorful rice cooked with chicken or mutton, and kuthu paratha, a Kerala Muslim delicacy of flatbread stuffed with minced fish and served from 4 pm onward.

One of three restaurants at the Taj’s sprawling 15-acre property, Bait is known for its fresh seafood cooked in local Keralan spices and international flavors; ask about the catch of the day, which comes straight from the local fishermen’s haul. The open-air dining room with views of the Arabian Sea make for an unbeatable dining location, especially at sunset. The restaurant serves wine and beer. 

A cobblestone pathway, fountain, and exposed brick walls set the tone for this pretty garden café, which has an alfresco dining area, a garden courtyard, a co-working space, and a private dining area. The menu includes Mexican, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asian cuisine, and the café serves single-origin coffee sourced from Chikkamagaluru in the state of Karnataka.  Its location in a residential area might make finding it a bit tricky; get good directions before heading here.

This popular resort is known for its relaxed vibe and some of the freshest seafood around, including its butter-garlic crab. It serves wine, too, along with delightful views of the sea. It is open throughout the year. Italian, Indian, and continental meals are also available.

Open all day, and with an open-air patio on the cliff, Coastal Kitchen may just be Varkala's best restaurant, serving all regional and Kerala specialties as well as vegetarian options like eggplant curry. Don’t miss the karuvepilai prawns, spicy and fried up with a lot of curry leaves, or the meen polichathu, fish fried in a wrapped banana leaf. The desserts are good, too.

The food and buffet selection at the Hilton Garden Inn’s all-day dining restaurant is varied and delicious, with everything from Kerala classics like meen manga curry to North Indian specialties, Italian pastas, and pizzas, and even a fresh salad counter. Beyond the food, a major draw is its staff; executive chef Asmic Raj pays careful attention to diners' likes and dislikes and makes sure to stop by every table to ask about their dining experience.

This eatery's claim to fame is the sadya, a traditional vegetarian meal of rice, curries, vegetables, pickles, and desserts all served on a large banana leaf. The restaurant also offers 100 varieties of dosa. If you go for lunch on the weekend, be prepared to wait in line. It serves traditional local dishes for breakfast.

This excellent beachside Pan-Asian restaurant located at the Leela serves up freshly caught fish supplied by the local fishermen. The huge variety of dishes ranges from wok-tossed meats and curries to fried rice, noodles, and soups. Vegetarian options, as well as wine and beer, are available.