During a recent trip to Trivandrum for a friend’s wedding, I had the opportunity to try some amazing local dishes despite my short stay. If you’re planning to visit Trivandrum, this guide will introduce you to a few must-try restaurants and dishes that truly capture the city’s essence. After all, good food is the cornerstone of a truly unforgettable travel experience.
Grilled Prawns with Coconut Rice at Huddle’s Cafe
Trivandrum being a coastal city, I had to try out the fresh sea food available here. Also, Coconut is the staple food of Kerala, you cannot find a dish here without coconut in it. Coconut rice is one of the famous Kerala delicacies. It is a flavoured rice usually accompanied with fish, chicken curries.
I tried out Grilled Prawns with Coconut Rice at Huddle’s Cafe in Nanthancode. My god, the food was just awesome. With the smoky flavour of the grilled prawns combined with the richness of coconut rice, it is one of the must try foods if you ever visit here. Huddle’s Cafe is a modern cafe with a calm ambience. It is a perfect place for you if you are planning to spend some quality time alone. Being a modern cafe, My friend and I also tried out Chicken Lasagna and Beef Burger. Both tasted perfectly good with no concerns. If you are looking for something modern with a touch of Kerala cuisine in it, this is the place for you.
Location – https://g.co/kgs/1nEyTVW
Parotta and Mutton Nalli Curry at Kochannan Sahib’s
How is a trip to Kerala complete without trying Kerala Parotta huh? Kochannan Sahib’s is a traditional non vegetarian restaurant famous for its mutton curries. It is one of the oldest yet buzzing restaurants in Trivandrum operating since 1946.
Parotta and Mutton Nalli Curry. What more to say?
Kochannan Sahib is a small restaurant giving home vibes, there are not so many tables and is always crowded. You might be rushed to order food,and might have to share a table with someone else. But the Parotta and Mutton curry compensates for all the drawbacks the hotel has. This is a restaurant that you should try if you are ever visiting Trivandrum. It is fairly close to Trivandrum railway station, and it’s known by almost every auto driver here.
Location – https://g.co/kgs/aT9eNcc
Puttu and Kadala Curry at Paragon Restaurant
Puttu is one of the classical South Indian dishes, particularly famous in Kerala. It is often combined with Kadala Curry or Beef Curry for breakfast.
Puttu is a kind of steamed cake made from rice flour and grated coconut.The rice flour and coconut are layered in a cylindrical mold and steamed, resulting in a light and fluffy texture.
Kadala Curry is a spicy curry made with black chickpeas (Kala channa). The Puttu mixed with Kadala curry – A nutty sweetness from Puttu mixed with spiciness from Curry, it is a dish that plays a beautiful symphony of taste, aroma and texture.
We tried this out in Paragon Restaurant at Kesavadasapuram. It is one of the famous hotel chains in the city with good patronage. If you see one in Kerala or UAE, you can try it out without thinking twice. We also tried out Appam and Chicken Stew – It’s one of the hidden gems in Kerala, Appam and Chicken Stew is not known among people from other states. If you ask me to choose between Appam and Puttu, well, you should try both.
Location – https://g.co/kgs/MDJkoCW
Paragon Restaurant deserves its own post, Stay tuned for a detailed review of Paragon Restaurant. Consider subscribing to our mailing list to stay updated. Don’t worry we won’t spam you.
If you are looking for a good hotel to stay that is closer to Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, you should consider booking at Hilton Garden Inn, the hotel we stayed during our recent trip. It is close to Trivandrum Central as well making it an ideal choice for staycation in Trivandrum. All the restaurants mentioned above are around this area. What are some of the famous foods that you have tried in Kerala? Please leave your comments below.