Kozhikode

Gourmet Feasts

Kozhikode is possibly the best place to enjoy true Malabar cuisine - from simple vegetarian to yummy non-vege! If you ask around for the most authentic and favourite among foodies, you would surely be directed to Zain’s, which is one of the oldest restaurants in town. Specialties here include the kozhi nirthiporichathu, a chicken fry with egg, beef stew in coconut milk and ghee rice. One of the best eating out option is the Komal Restaurant where you must try their mutton fry. Also try out local specialties like kozhi adachitathu (whole chicken stuffed with eggs) which is half-cooked in masala and then fried.

Roof Garden Restaurant near the station does a fantastic ghee roast dosa and parottas. Fine dining options can be tried at the Taj Residency, which has a multi-cuisine restaurant. More local food is at Hyson Heritage, which conjures up good meriya pathiri, paper-thin rotis and Malabar Biryanis. Typical to the region, you must also try the kanji (rice-soup), kappa varuthathu (fried tapioca), meen molakittathu (fish curry) and the special thali, which offers almost 18 dishes served on a banana leaf. Don’t miss out on the Malabar chicken or mutton biryani, which is possibly best available at Sagar Hotel. This comes teamed with Malabar parotta and beef curry. Head out to Paragon Restaurant for fresh prawns and other seafood. Don’t leave Kozhikode without a sip of their hot filter coffee and a bite of fresh banana chips from the Indian Coffee House. And for those with sweet tooth, get your hands on the Kozhikodan Halwa seasoned with dry fruits, sweet coconut samosa and their banana fry with coconut.