What to Eat in Kochi: A Culinary Guide to Kerala’s Flavourful Coast

Kochi, the vibrant port city of Kerala, is not just famous for its scenic backwaters and colonial heritage – it’s also a paradise for food lovers. With a blend of Malabari, Portuguese, Dutch, and Syrian Christian influences, Kochi’s cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavours. If you’re planning a visit and wondering what to eat in Kochi, this blog will guide you through the must-try dishes, local food spots, and hidden culinary gems that define the city’s taste. Moreover, food lovers from across India are now taking advantage of cheap flights to Kochi to explore its vibrant culinary scene.

1. Appam with Stew – The Perfect Kerala Breakfast

Fish Molly, Molee and appam — Fish Molly and Appam
Image Credit: Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock

Start your culinary journey in Kochi with a traditional Kerala breakfast. Appam, a soft, fluffy rice pancake with crispy edges, is usually paired with vegetable or chicken stew. The creamy coconut milk-based curry complements the appam perfectly. Many local eateries in Fort Kochi serve authentic versions of this breakfast staple.

Best Places to Try:

Kashi Art Café
Dhe Puttu
Local breakfast joints near Marine Drive

2. Kerala Sadya – A Vegetarian Feast

Traditional Onam sadhya — Traditional Onam Sadya
Image Credit: Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock

If you’re visiting during a festival or want to experience a traditional meal, don’t miss the Kerala Sadya. Served on a banana leaf, Sadya includes over 20 vegetarian items like sambar, avial, thoran, rasam, olan, and payasam. It’s a cultural and culinary experience you won’t forget.

Top Restaurant Recommendation:

Dhe Puttu
Grand Pavilion, Ernakulam

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3. Malabar Parotta with Beef Curry – A Coastal Favourite

Kerala Beef curry — Kerala Beef Curry
Image Credit: Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock

For meat lovers, Malabar Parotta with beef curry is a heavenly combination. The flaky, layered parotta is perfect to scoop up the spicy, slow-cooked beef curry. Though beef is a sensitive dish in parts of India, it’s widely enjoyed in Kerala, especially in Kochi’s local food hubs.

Try it at:

Hotel Rahmath
Kayees Rahmathulla Café

4. Seafood Delights – Kochi’s Oceanic Bounty

Prawn mango curry — Prawn Mango Curry
Image Credit: Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock

Wondering what to eat in Kochi that defines the coastal essence? It has to be seafood. Kochi’s fish markets are bustling with the day’s fresh catch – prawns, crab, karimeen (pearl spot fish), and squid. Dishes like meen pollichathu (fish grilled in a banana leaf), prawn curry, and fish moilee are must-tries.

Best Places For Seafood in Kochi:

The Fort House Restaurant
Oceanos Restaurant
Grand Pavilion (for a fine-dine option)

Also Read: Solo Trip to Kochi: One City, Endless Self-Discovery

5. Thattukada Street Food – Taste Kochi Like a Local

For those who love the vibrant energy of street food, Kochi’s thattukadas (roadside stalls) offer some of the best cheap eats in the city. Try local favourites like kappa and meen curry (tapioca with spicy fish curry), egg puffs, puttu and kadala curry, and porotta rolls. luckily, some of the best hotels in Kochi are located close to these food hubs, offering both comfort and easy access to local flavours.

Top Street Food Areas:

Palarivattom
MG Road roadside stalls
Broadway Market

6. Biryani in Kochi – Not Just Any Rice Dish

Though you might associate biryani with Hyderabad or Lucknow, Kochi offers its own delicious version. Known for its subtle spices and use of short-grain rice, Kochi-style biryani, especially from places like Kayees Rahmathulla Café, is a crowd favourite.

Other Good Biryani Joints Include:

Paragon Restaurant
Rahmath Hotel (Mattancherry)

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7. Sweets and Snacks – Kochi’s Dessert Side

Payasam in a brass vessel — Payasam in a Brass Vessel
Image Credit: forclick studio/Shutterstock

If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss Kochi’s traditional desserts. Payasam, a creamy pudding made from milk, rice, and jaggery, is served during festivals and meals. Other must-try sweets include unniyappam (fried rice flour snack with banana and jaggery) and banana chips.

Top Picks for Kochi Famous Sweets:

Sree Muruga Bakery
Cochin Bakery (for fusion snacks and cakes)
Grand Sweets near Ernakulam market

8. Best Veg Restaurants in Kochi – For Pure Veg Foodies

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, Kochi still has plenty to offer. From dosa and idli to thali meals and innovative millet dishes, veg food is both accessible and delicious.

Top Veg Places:

Brindhavan Vegetarian Restaurant
Arya Bhavan
Saravana Bhavan (Panampilly Nagar)

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9. Where to Eat in Kochi – Hidden Local Gems

Apart from famous eateries, Kochi has several lesser-known local food joints that offer home-style meals and unique snacks. Explore Mattancherry, Jew Town, and the Fort Kochi areas for authentic local food experiences. Don’t hesitate to stop at family-run cafés or community kitchens during lunchtime – these spots often serve food that tastes like home.

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10. Free Food Experiences – Kochi’s Community Spirit

An interesting experience for travellers is the free food offered in certain spiritual places and community kitchens. For example, during local temple festivals or church gatherings, meals are often distributed freely to the public. To explore such cultural and spiritual experiences with ease, many Kochi tour packages include guided visits to these events, giving you a deeper taste of local traditions and hospitality.

Places For Free Food in Kochi:

Guruvayurappan Temple (Ernakulam)
Community kitchens near Fort Kochi and Mattancherry

Also Read: Top Tourist Places in Kochi that You Shouldn’t Miss

11. Ayurvedic Food in Kochi – Healthy and Wholesome

Organic Ayurvedic Herbal Drink
Image Credit: Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock

Ayurveda is big in Kerala, and Kochi is no exception. If you’re on a wellness trip or detox journey, try Ayurvedic meals made with healing herbs, ghee, and local grains. These meals are usually sattvic and plant-based.

Where to Try:

Ayurvedic restaurants at resorts (CGH Earth, Fragrant Nature)
Organic cafés near Mattancherry

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12. Local Drinks in Kochi – Beyond the Food

Don’t forget the beverages! From fresh tender coconut to spiced buttermilk (moru), Kochi’s drinks are refreshing and unique. Also, toddy (a fermented coconut liquor) is a must-try in traditional toddy shops along the outskirts of the city.

Must-Try Drinks:

Fresh lime soda with salt
Filter coffee
Toddy (in toddy shops with seafood meals)

What to Eat in Kochi for Every Traveller

From traditional vegetarian meals to sizzling seafood and lip-smacking street snacks, Kochi caters to every palate. Whether you’re a foodie on a budget or someone seeking gourmet coastal cuisine, the city promises a gastronomic adventure. So, the next time you visit Kerala’s Queen of the Arabian Sea, don’t just explore its beaches and backwaters – dive into its food culture and discover what to eat in Kochi for a truly unforgettable experience.

FAQs- What to Eat in Kochi

What is famous to eat in Kochi?
Kochi is known for its rich coastal cuisine and vibrant street food. Some of the most famous dishes include meen pollichathu (fish grilled in banana leaf), appam with stew, kappa and meen curry (tapioca with spicy fish curry), Malabar parotta with beef curry, and Kerala-style biryani. You’ll also find plenty of street-side snacks like egg puffs, banana fritters, and puttu with kadala curry.

What is the national food of Kochi?
While there is no official “national food” specific to Kochi, the Kerala Sadya is often considered its most iconic meal. Sadya is a grand vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, typically during festivals. It includes a variety of dishes like sambar, avial, thoran, olan, pachadi, and several types of payasam (desserts).

What is special in Kochi?
Kochi’s specialty lies in its fusion of cultures and cuisines. Influences from Portuguese, Dutch, Jewish, and Arab settlers have merged with local Kerala traditions to create a diverse and flavorful food culture. From fresh seafood and toddy-shop meals to art cafés offering Kerala fusion dishes, Kochi offers both authentic and experimental tastes.

What is Kerala’s famous food?
Kerala is famous for dishes like puttu and kadala curry, Malabar biryani, appam with stew, and fish moilee. The cuisine is known for its liberal use of coconut, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and spices. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes are popular, with rice being the staple base for most meals.

What is the main ingredient in Kochi?
The most prominent ingredient in Kochi’s cuisine is coconut. It’s used in many forms—grated, as coconut milk, or coconut oil. Alongside coconut, ingredients like mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, tamarind, and spices are essential in Kochi kitchens, especially for preparing gravies and stir-fries.

What is Kerala people eat?
People in Kerala generally eat rice with side dishes like sambar, thoran (stir-fried vegetables), or seafood curries. Breakfast often includes traditional dishes such as idli, dosa, appam, and puttu. Tea-time is popular for snacks like vada, banana chips, and pazham pori (banana fritters). Meals are often light, fresh, and made with seasonal local produce.

What is the most consumed product in Kerala?
The most consumed staple in Kerala is rice, which forms the foundation of most meals. Additionally, coconut is used in nearly every dish, making it a dietary cornerstone. Other commonly consumed items include fish, tapioca (kappa), spices, and beverages like tea and filter coffee.

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