[SILVERWOOD]

I did not find it great.The Original Calicut Branch is in a different league all together.

My visit to Calicut is never complete without a visit to Sagar and Paragon.

Waseem

[kevintomin]

Dileep's Dhe Puttu is also an option. This is close to Oberon mall on bypass road.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by SILVERWOOD

I did not find it great.The Original Calicut Branch is in a different league all together.

Couple of my friends did mention on that comparison with the original Cailcut branch. Since I have not done that, found the Lulu branch pretty good.
That said, I may have a different opinion if I get to make a trip to Calicut

[shk 8896]

Sagar Hotel is past its prime now. Paragon is a non vegetarian paradise. Veg is good but not great.
But for biriyani, I still prefer Bombay Hotel near beach and also Zains.
For the best "kutti dosa" I always head out to Pillai's Snacks at Kallayi Road.
But Calicut is a not so good place to eat out for veggies, sadly.
Sreehari

[Happysmiles]

Hotel Grand on MG road Ernakulam is my all time favorite.

My other favorite for Biryani is Ceylon Bake on MG road.

I travel to kerala couple of times a year and I am on the lookout for authentic kerala food. Any suggestions for pure veg thali sadya and Biryani in Ernakulam.

[foby.sebastian]

Originally Posted by Happysmiles

Hotel Grand on MG road Ernakulam is my all time favorite.

My other favorite for Biryani is Ceylon Bake on MG road.

I travel to kerala couple of times a year and I am on the lookout for authentic kerala food. Any suggestions for pure veg thali sadya and Biryani in Ernakulam.

Ambiswamy's for authentic Kerala style veg - sadhya.

Kayikka's biriyani at Mattanchery for Biriyani or Paragon hotel Lulu Mall.

[deepclutch]

Originally Posted by Happysmiles

Hotel Grand on MG road Ernakulam is my all time favorite.

My other favorite for Biryani is Ceylon Bake on MG road.

I travel to kerala couple of times a year and I am on the lookout for authentic kerala food. Any suggestions for pure veg thali sadya and Biryani in Ernakulam.

Hotel Brindhavan at Palarivattom for Veg meals. For Biryani, Chillies (above Tandoor) will be good. Fry's village at Chittoor road also was good for Biryani. There is Thakkaram at NH Bypass, Kitchen Tellicherry at Panampilly Nagar which are also worth trying.

[rejoycjohn]

Woww, how come I never saw this thread.
I bumped on this right when the discussion is about food in calicut, my hometown - the place that I was born and brought up in.

Calicut - Aka Kozhikode is a paradise for foodies. Its more in the favor of those who prefer non vegetarian. However there are a few that wont let the veggies down.

Most of the hotels are listed, but to re iterate.

1 - Paragon - You should go to the one below the CH overbridge. There is one more opened in Focus mall, but I prefer this one.
If you go here you should have "Porotta", its the best that I have ever had, best even by Kozhikode standards. its not the north Indian Paratha, this one is flaky and crispy on the outside but as you go further layers down it gets soft.
You can have any curry along with it. Really depends on your preference. I remember having it with green peas curry sometimes.

2 - Top Form - SM Street.
Good for its biriyani, especially chicken biriyani.

3 - Sagar - It used to be good. Not sure of the food now.
But still you will have a minimum guarantee.

4 - Zains - If you have a thing for snacks, this is the place to be. Snacks whether they are sweet or spicy, you will get it here. This place was featured in "Highway on my plates".

5 - Bombay Hotel - Again best for its biriyani and snacks.

6- Saravana Bhavan opposite new bus stand , near focus Mall. Good vegetarian food.

7- Dakshin the veg, opposite to the KSRTC bus stand, again decent veg food

8 - Milk Sarbat, well this is a small vendor who sits opposite to the Paragon Hotel on the Kannur Road. He makes a drink which is a mix of Milk, Sarbat and Ice. Honestly you should drink this if you are in Calicut or passing through the city.

There are so many small hotels in Kozhikode where food is really cheap and I have never had a bad experience in them.
People here love to eat and spent time outside.
Its one of the very few cities in the whole India where auto drivers wont fleece you even if they know that you are a newbie in the city.
You can see families,youngsters and couples roaming around near the Beach road / "marine drive" late into the night.

If anyone planning a trip to Kozhikode and need some tips please feel free to ask me.

[nowwhat?]

It's that time of the year again and we are planning a drive to Kerala between Christmas and New Year, to Thrissur district (mostly around Irinjalakuda and Kodungalur) and Ernakulam (around Palarivattom).

What are the restaurants that are a must visit? I am sure Team-BHPians would have recommendations for Ernakulam, but I am concerned about Irinjalakuda.

We tried Paragon Calicut at Lulu Mall last year and it was good though pricey. I shall be going through these pages to look for other restaurants.

Also could someone let me know about interesting places to visit in these parts? Around Irinjalakuda, I couldn't find a single place to visit the last few times. Mostly we visit the Reliance shop next to the bus stand. This time i am planning to walk to the Koodalmanikyam Shetram and take a gander from the outside. We have already been to Athirappilly Falls a few years ago though we might go there once again if there is nothing else.

In Ernakulam, we visited Fort Kochi, Marine Drive, Lulu Mall and Cherai beach. Anything else to see and do?

[BaluJ]

Originally Posted by nowwhat?

In Ernakulam, we visited Fort Kochi, Marine Drive, Lulu Mall and Cherai beach. Anything else to see and do?

If you have time drive to bhoothathankettu - may have to check the recent status of the place. Went there couple of years ago and was able to spend couple of hours there. Also there are places like thattekad nearby

[foby.sebastian]

Originally Posted by nowwhat?

It's that time of the year again and we are planning a drive to Kerala between Christmas and New Year, to Thrissur district (mostly around Irinjalakuda and Kodungalur) and Ernakulam (around Palarivattom).

What are the restaurants that are a must visit? I am sure Team-BHPians would have recommendations for Ernakulam, but I am concerned about Irinjalakuda.

We tried Paragon Calicut at Lulu Mall last year and it was good though pricey. I shall be going through these pages to look for other restaurants.

Also could someone let me know about interesting places to visit in these parts? Around Irinjalakuda, I couldn't find a single place to visit the last few times. Mostly we visit the Reliance shop next to the bus stand. This time i am planning to walk to the Koodalmanikyam Shetram and take a gander from the outside. We have already been to Athirappilly Falls a few years ago though we might go there once again if there is nothing else.

In Ernakulam, we visited Fort Kochi, Marine Drive, Lulu Mall and Cherai beach. Anything else to see and do?

Places that you could visit around Irinjalakkuda/Kodungalur are :- Snehatheeram beach,Munambam Ferry(If you are interested in carrying your car in Ferry service),Narakkal MatsyaFeed Aqua Tourism Centre (DONT MISS IT),Vypeen etc towards the Coastal side

Athirappilly,Vazhachal,Malakkarapa,Valpara etc. If you are interested for a wild life drive and site seeing.

If you wanna go spiritual with family :- Cheraman Juma Masjid ( first mosque in India),Azhikode - (It is here where St. Thomas the apostle of Christ landed in India) and lot of Historic temples like
Koodalmanikyam Temple is the only temple in India dedicated to the worship of Bharata, the third brother of Rama. Kodungalloor Bhagavathy temple,Guruvayoor temple etc.

Punnathurkotta - Elephant Sanctuary where the temple elephants are taken care of and Bible Tower which is situated in Thrissur town - The tallest church tower in Asia.Don't miss Vadakkunnathan Temple right in the heart of the Thrissur town which included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

For lush green paddy fields and water streams, You can visit Manakkody which is the second largest fresh water lake and the newly constructed road through the middle of the paddy fields will give you a feel of Thannermukkam bund of Aleppy. You can also visit country Toddy shops for Fish,Crab,Pork,Beef,Duck,stir fried clam meat,steamed tapioca,Banana-tree-stem Sauteed etc.

Chimmoney Dam and Marottichal water falls is also a good option if you are interested in Nature.

[nowwhat?]

Thank you, Foby! This is a treasure trove of information. There is hardly any information on Thrissur district on the web and I was struggling.

I shall be giving Thrissur town a miss this time and shall be staying at a hotel near Moonupeedika on the Kodungallur highway.

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

Places that you could visit around Irinjalakkuda/Kodungalur are :- Snehatheeram beach,Munambam Ferry(If you are interested in carrying your car in Ferry service),Narakkal MatsyaFeed Aqua Tourism Centre (DONT MISS IT),Vypeen etc towards the Coastal side

How interesting and worthwhile is the Munambam Ferry as opposed to going by road? We shall be driving down to Ernakulam, so this ferry is an option.

Had never heard of MatsyaFeed Aqua Tourism Centre in Ernakulam, shall definitely visit it.

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

Athirappilly,Vazhachal,Malakkarapa,Valpara etc. If you are interested for a wild life drive and site seeing.

Have done the Athurappilly circuit quite a few times that it has lost its charm.

As I didn't have too many options until your post, I was thinking of Kauthuka Park (http://www.kauthukapark.com/) near Pota.

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

If you wanna go spiritual with family :- Cheraman Juma Masjid ( first mosque in India),Azhikode - (It is here where St. Thomas the apostle of Christ landed in India) and lot of Historic temples like
Koodalmanikyam Temple is the only temple in India dedicated to the worship of Bharata, the third brother of Rama. Kodungalloor Bhagavathy temple,Guruvayoor temple etc. Punnathurkotta - Elephant Sanctuary where the temple elephants are taken care of

Would have loved to visit the temples, but I figured out last time that most temples in Kerala do not allow non-Hindus. I had gone to both Vadakkunnathan and Koodalmanikyam Temple.

Do you know if the Punnathurkotta Elephant Sanctuary is open to all?

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

For lush green paddy fields and water streams, You can visit Manakkody which is the second largest fresh water lake and the newly constructed road through the middle of the paddy fields will give you a feel of Thannermukkam bund of Aleppy. You can also visit country Toddy shops for Fish,Crab,Pork,Beef,Duck,stir fried clam meat,steamed tapioca,Banana-tree-stem Sauteed etc.

From Thrissur I usually head south towards Irinjalakuda, but this time I was wondering whether I should head west towards Vadanapally to reach the Kodungallur highway as Manakkody is located somewhere there and photos on the web of this area look quite picturesque. Is this a good idea?

The only good restaurants I have come across (Pathans, etc.) all seem to be in Thrissur town. Could you suggest something good around Irinjalakuda, Kodungallur, Chalakudy? As I am taking some children around, any well known ice cream parlour I should visit?

Thanks once again!

[mekatas]

I have tried to put together a not so comprehensive list based on what i have garnered from the thread. I have tried a few and those have all turned out to be good.

Kollam
Chandra Pilla's place, Thirumullawaram. Ask for a FULL King fish or Pomfret or whatever he has...
Hotspot, a small joint near Kollam Collectorate.
Kalavara* Kalluvathulkal. When goin from Kollam to Trivandrum, about 100mts after the Kalluvathulakal traffic signal on the left side there is a small hotel, it’s a small shed

Wyanad
"Mess" culture - you will find a lot of small shops attached to homes with just the word "Mess" or some name attached to it. You get terrific home food at these places. They are very basic with wooden benches and the old-style foldable steel chairs, etc. The good part is that most of these places still use wood-fired kitchens - the taste is heavenly.


Kannur
Taj restaurant, on SM Road.
Golden dish, Caltex Junction.
Malabar Biriyani House: Amall joint opposite Sarita/Savita Theatre.

Puttu Biriyani from Thattu kadas near Kannur Bus Stand. It is made of mixing Puttu with your choice of either Kallummaka roast or Chicken roast or Liver roast.
MVK restaurant - Famous for Ghee rice and chicken curry and Biriyani Its near Hotel Kamala International
Savoy - Try lunch (fish curry meals) (:-)))) its good
Soft that makes some of the best Biriyani's around.
Royal Omars is also a good place.
1)Ondaen hotel on ondaen road - This LEGENDARY eatery - which has almost the entire office employees of kannur lining up in queues from 12 PM onwards till 3 in the afternoon. Yes - they WAIT till they get a seat. Not air conditioned or anything - just plain old chairs and tables - but the varieties of fish , squid, fish eggs - you'll hog on and on.THe first time I had the fish eggs I was VERY apprehensive - but after the first mouthful - everything was bliss - and i ended up eating 5 more plates. Best way to ensure you get your bite - BE THERE at 12 pm sharp.
Specialites are the noon - meals with Iykoora fry/ chemmeen fry and meen mutta masala (Fish eggs)
Taj restaurant - famed for its biryanis - i'd advise a chicken or fish biryani - not worth eating the mutton biryani.
Chiffonetts - Opp. Baker boys - try the Kemki chicken and singapore noodles . The quantity and quality are very good for the money you pay. ah - almost forgot - try the chicken fu-yong too.
Cita-Pani - near the beach area and walkable from the savoy bar- Its a landmark in itself. The star picks are - Shawarma and shawaai chicken. Even gulf returned malayalis say they haven't eaten better shawarmas in the arab countries- a statement that shows just how good it is. Personal best of 6 shawarmas and 2 full chickens at a single sitting here.
Payyanoor area - do give the chicken biryani and kadai chicken at KK residency a shot - it's one of the best malabar boryanis I had.
Tripunithura
Mammas For good Squid Pepper Fry
MJM Hotel on the way to vytila from pettah. They serve good fish curry meals. Earlier they used to serve only neymeen (seerfish) with their meals but now it's mostly 'motha' or 'vata' etc. I guess the price is Rs.70 for the fish curry meals. Fish fry (seerfish) is also good, it's priced between Rs.200 (but price will vary with size), but they do serve you a big chunk of fish. The prawns masala is a must have, priced at Rs.120 or Rs.150. Beef fry was good but it is not the same these days.

Calicut / Kozhikode
Erachi Pathiri (Meat stuffed pancakes) from Zains
Milk Sarbath - from Shop Opp Paragon ( Just dont look at his hands )
Sambharam from the same place ( again dont look )
Paragon for sea food and Biriyani
Sagar for Biriyani, chicken dry fry , ghee rice
Bombay hotel for Biriyani
Hotel Alakapuri - Good Lunch with Fish curry
rahmath restaurant, near 2nd railway gate-beef biriyani.
Al-Bake - shawaii chicken, plate Shawarma
Sea land - Fish pollichathu
Mahe/Telicherry
Kallumakka Appam (Mussels in Steamed Rice Cake) near the bridge approaching Mahe on the way from Cochin


Thalassery
Raraavis Restaurants– finest of contemporary Indian Cuisine in a friendly, relaxed environment. Address– Logans Road, Near New Bus Stand, Narangapuram,Thalassery Contact no– 0490 232 2043
Paris Restaurant– Opens from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm. Multi Cuisine Restaurant. Mutton Biryani is must to taste here. Address-NH 17 Thalassery, Kerala
Hotel Binaca– Excellent Food Quality. Indian Cuisines and Chinese Foood Items. Rates are Moderate
Hotel Surya– Good Food, Service, Atmosphere. Biryani is good here Specially Mutton Biryani. Address-Thalassery Coorg Highway Thalassery, Kerala

Kasaragod
Everybody is a foodie but good stuff are all available at home rather than restaurants, but one place not very famous but is really good is s small Tea Shop near Revenue Check post between Kerala border and Karantaka where you get a local delicacy called Kalthappam ( Steamed rice cake again) as well as Manja-cheppila-appam ( Yellow-Leaf-Appam) which is sweet rice steam cake with jaggery filling.
The Nalanda resort in Nileswar is very good for Lunch and sea foods


Thrissur
The GOAL FACE Famous for Kottu porotta (the scrambled porotta with meat and egg)
Kottu porotta - while going from Thrissur in Palakkad direction a few kilometrers before reaching mannutty bypass , there is a place called Paravattany , the hotel is in the right hand side of the road while travelling from thrissur to palakkad.
Hotel Sapphire: Near Railway station. Good biriyani there. supposedly the best in thrissur.
Hotel Elite International one of the best restaurants in Kerala in terms of taste. 1. Grilled chicken with vegetables – 3. Chilly Chicken and Chilly mushroom - 3. Butter Chicken - 4. Egg Porotta - try this. Never seen so good in any other restaurant.

Kovalam
Curry Leaf: On a small hilltop overlooking Samudra Beach, this new two-storey restaurant boasts enviable ocean and sunset views, eager staff and good food ranging from fresh seafood and tandoori to continental dishes. It requires a bit of a walk along paths or uphill from the beach, but the uncrowded location is part of the charm.


Kottayam
Hotel Mali near private busstand, nagampadom, Kottayam for budget food.
Hotal sakthi - sasthri road - chicken biriyani
Karimbum kaala (towards 4 km changanacherry side) - for aewsome fish -- there are two of them..the smaller one at Pallom which lies on the left side from changanassery to kottayam road(located at a turn) is the original one.. they have age old traditional ways of making food and their karrimeenu is just too awesome..
Maanachil - opp. to manorama - good chicken dishes
Aanand near central junction - famous for masaala dosa and veg dishes
Aarya nivas (near exit of old bus stand) - superb chilly parotta


Thodupuzha-
Geminy Hotel and bar, near private bus stand.
Pappootty Hall, near Mata Shopping arcade
Hotel Sicilia, Idukki Road



Allepey
Alai / Halai's near South Police Station: Anybody tried chicken biriyani
Aryas Alleppy
Kuttanad restarant about mid way at the Allepey - Changanassery bypass. It was awesome. Pearl spot, prawns, and their "Special Parotta". it is on the right side when you are driving from Perunna to Allepey on the main road itself. About 2-3 km after the Contour Resort.


Ernakulam
Sapphire at Jos Junction next to Ensign agencies
Ceylon Bake House opposite Woodlands at Ernakulam.
ILA [marine Drive] For traditional food like Kanji/payar, traditional fish curry, Traditional non-veg preparations, fish curry meals, ethakka payasam etc.
Kayees [Near Durball Hall] ( for Biriyani, chicken fry and fish curry meals )
Rahmaniya [Kaloor] ( aka Kethel's Chicken ) for tender chicken fried in chilly + chapatti + lime juice combination.
Real Arabia [Palarivattom] for Arabian foods.

Mattancherry
Jeff's at Mattancherry For best biryani in Kochi (Cross the new toll bridge and on turning right, in Varkey's complex, a small shop).
Best sizzler and steak at The Attic in front of GCDA complex.

Thiruvananthapuram
Biriyani chaai @ Buhari Trivandrum) is a must try.
1) Arul Jyothi - Rocket masala Dosa - the humungous missile that takes up a two seater table.
2) Azad - not the old one opposite secretariat, I'm talking about the new one nr. overbridge - Chicken fry, Liver fry and porotta.
3)Ambalapaattu restaurant - in pattom ,Opposite LIC- Beef fry and porotta
4) Kethels
Villa Maya is simply outstanding
Rahmaniya: Kethel chicken
Buhari: Puttu & Mutton
Parippu Vada @ Tea shop opp. Kazhakootam Police Station
Rasa Vada & Dosa @ ThattuKada near the Petrol Pump opp. Al Saj
Shawarma @ ZamZam , MLA Hostel
Fish Curry Meals at a small restaurant near Vazhuthakadu Jn.
Sagara Restaurant at Vazhuthacad opposite Women's College. Don't miss pathiri, prawns, ayala curry and others
Flavors' near Womens College
Kerala Hotel, tucked in the lane leading to General Hospital Junction from Statue junction Try out "Neymeen Pollichathu" (Seer fish baked/stemed in plaintain leaf).

Cochin
1)Punjabi times- the paranthas and muiton varieties there are heavenly
2)The Attic - try the shrimp cocktail , and the steaks
3) kethel's chicken - ultra spicy tender chicken and porotta. Carry some chocolate along as a tongue protecting device.
4)Pai dosa - kaada mutta dosa - yum yum
5) Ceylon Bake House - Chilli chicken and idiyappam
6) Travancore Court - My favourite for the last.. the afternoon buffet spread is just too mouth watering
7)Rappayis - Ghee rice, chicken fry
8)Indian coffee house - Lamb chops , mutton cutlets.
Brunton Boat Yard: Aadu Achar ( Mutton Achar) - A malabar Jewish dish


Mangalore
arayana, a small-no-luxury hotel located in Bunder or State bank, serves one of the best fish fry.
Madhuvan (Yeyyadi)
Dolphin (Kadri Shivabagh).
Winegate, Balmatta - Good crab ghee roast and other fish items. Again a takeaway kind of place
Aroma, Deepa Comforts - Squid pepper fry, Pompret tawa fry
Gajalee, Kadri Hills - Tandoori crab. You can choose the victim

Ooty
Shinkows

[nowwhat?]

^^ This is an amazingly detailed list. I just wish I had it before our recent trip to Kerala. I hope you will update this list periodically.

I just came back from Thrissur and Ernakulam and the highlight once again was the fish curry with mango at Calicut Paragon in Lulu mall. Their fish curry meals are also extraordinary. As someone else posted, the sizzlers at Kobe in Lulu mall cost half their price in Bangalore, but the beef was undercooked.

[govigov]

Ernakulam
Sapphire at Jos Junction next to Ensign agencies

is not present any more.

Also, you may club cochin and ernakulam together to one list.

Any reviews about German Bakery near kovalam ? -> this one - https://www.tripadvisor.in/Restauran...am_Kerala.html