4 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.

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. 

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.