RESTAURANT GUIDE: Kochi (Cochin) #1

Indizen

Kashi Art Cafe has a great ambience; nice breakfast menu.

Salt and Pepper: I find it ridiculous that this place located on the pavement right outside the police station flouts all laws that ban serving of beer in unlicensed places. Why can't the Kerala government issue proper bar licenses, esp in tourist places?

Chariot Cafe: Watch out for the big rats that give you company from the drain along which the tables are lined. Great dining experience! Good for people and rat watching.

Teapot: Highly over-rated.

Sama

I am convinced that the writers of Rough Guide have had one too many bhang lassis throughout India. Their review of a guesthouse in Madurai was great, but when I got there last year, it looked like a place where only serial killers would stay.

NOW you tell me!

after I got sick I had actually thought of going inside and standing in the middle of the restaurant and screaming at the top of my lungs that their food will kill you!

but I was literally too weak to walk down Princess Street.....

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bawa35

Hi ,
I am 2 travel to Koc\hi in march, am concerned about food,
I eat no spices , low salt food , whole food . Suggest place in kochi, Trivandrum, Travelling first time to kerela.....what local food can I try, keeping in mind above.

Any German bakery in Kochi ?

mithun

Also try Safair & Dwaraka restaurant at MG Road in Cochin.

Qosmos

Miss the tarts and brownies they had in Pandhal. Have to try this one. Yup, Sona does amazing juices. Their Paratha and chicken are delicious too.

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boboindiapepe

Don't forget Addy's
Always good and fresh food. Live music during weekends.Not very expensive.Five minutes walk from Chinese fishing nets.Go to the parade ground .You will see Malabar at the far end. Straight on towards Parish House at the end of Peter Celliestreet.At the corner left 20 meter.

czibert

I've heard enough people go on and on about Kashi's that I'm surpised no one has mentioned two of the city's best gems, Fort Cochin Seafood Restaurant at the Casino Hotel and Rice Boat at the Taj Malabar. Both on Willingdon Island.

Yes, they are in some of the guide books but are without a doubt these restaurans offer experiences not to be missed.

We also like the Old Courtyard on Princess Street in Fort Kochi--a nice indoor/outdoor setting with some live music. No alcohol license, however.

I would like to see some more recommendations in Ernakulam, where I live--things other than the Avenue Regent/Grand Hotel scene. One warning, avoid the Kanai restaurant in whatever hotel is next to Seemaati off MG Road; people have gotten sick there.

CliveG

Agree the Seafood restaurant at Casino is excellent. The food at Taj Malabar is also excellent but at the prices they charge you would expect it to be first class.

Indizen

Abad Plaza hotel on MG road has a nice buffet menu for lunch.

amarachmol

Salt and pepper is a lovely restaurant which serves beautiful fish, and the most amazing tandoi chicken, the staff are very helful and generious with their information about the locality, its a great place to meet and swap stories with other travelers. It is also great place for families.

vandy

As Indizen said the Abad Plaza on MG Road has good
Buffet at Lunch, There is also a Very Good restaraunt there on the upper floor, one of the best Buffets going around.

Maybe this is the same as what Indizen is reffering to. I have had Buffet breakfast in Hotel
Dining room which wasn't too bad either for what they charge.Also had buffet breakfast at Abad Atrium which is right next to Abad Plaza,not bad.

vandy

kunjakko

Salt and Pepper Closed

Chariot putting out more tables outside

Dr. Gajaprishthakara

Hmmm not sure what interests are being pushed by the rosy assessment of Salt and Pepper above. It is a great place for salmonella - so, if your family likes salmonella then I suppose it may be a great place for them. There is a moist wooden partition between the toilet (a room without an outlet) and the food preparation area.

The last I had heard they had been raided (clearly the money hadn't arrived in time) and closed temporarily rather than permanently.

We stopped attending (we would only ever drink there) when one of the owners beat up one of the long term workers for being sick.

alaivani

HI.. great thread!
pquekel- do you remember where is Saraswathi's book stall? What shops surround it? We are mostly in Mattancherry and have not done in depth exploring of that area. We are surely looking for book shops.
Re: tea pot resturaunt- this place seems very interesting. What are some menu items? As with book stall, what surrounds this place for easy identification?

I recommend a few places in Mattancherry,
Sri Krishna Cafe- (our photo- http://www.flickr.com/photos/kris_ku...7600364003066/)

Sree Goshreepuresh Coffee Cafe - http://alaivani.com/Blog/tabid/56/En...4/Default.aspx

There is another place on Palace road I don't know the name, they make the best parathas and so quickly, they also make puttu kadala -everyday is a different speciality- the speed at which they make everything is amazing! (I remember if you come from palace and walk up palace road it is on the left side before gujarathi road, and it is part of a 'mall' not it's own separate building)

Hotel Abad - http://www.abadhotels.com/hotelabad/.../location.html
(Not in Mattancherry proper, but worth the travel outside- service fantastic!)

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pquekel

Saraswati Bookshop (as far as I know they had an annex in Mattancherry as well, in 2003 that was)is on walking distance from Burgerstreet, not far from the old church near the parade/cricket ground.