[foby.sebastian]

Friends do we have any Dhabha kind of eat out places in Ernakulam ?

Few of the good eat ou places which personally I have tried

1 , The one in the Oberon mall - hell lot of varites cheaper price

2 , Kayees - Mattancheri for awsome Biriyani and lemon tea

3 , The shop opposite to Brunton Boat yard for ice cream and BEER

4 , Hotel Grand in Mg road for quick lunch

5 , EFC opposite to Maharaja college ground

6 , Travancore court


One day my brother went to a place called njarakkal , there is a place where they offer fishing , after fishing they will cook the fish for us in front of us , we can have that fish with the meals , rs 150 for the meals with ice cream and the fish , they also provide boat for fishing.

[Edsel Rulez!]

On a recent visit I found the al-fahm (barbecued chicken) at Real Arabia to be very good. I went to the joint opposite the Shipyard near Harbour View Hotel, but I understand there are other branches (Palarivattom?) in town. Costs Rs 220 for a full chicken which is quite juicy and tender, and comes with a killer red "chutney". They also offer shawarma and tandoori chicken, but al-fahm is my favourite.

As for "dhaba-type" places, just roam the streets after 9 pm and you can see carts that have sprung up at major junctions. You can see them at Pallimukku (diagonally opposite Medical Trust), alongside Shenoy's Theatre, and near Menaka on marine Drive. The food is unexceptional though -- mostly beef and fish that's been deep-fried out of existence. A better option would be Pai's Dosas in a lane off MG Road opposite Padma. Fry's Village Restaurant on Chittoor Road near Pulleppady is another VFM option for traditional delicacies.

A slightly unusual joint is Kethel's Fried Chicken between Kaloor Jn and Mathrubhumi. This consists of tender young chicken deep-fried with a whole lot of coarsely ground red chillies. The birds are the size of quail. Not the healthiest of snacks, but it sure is tasty -- if you can stand the spice. I must admit I had a problem -- the complimentary lemon sherbet helped to some extent but not much!

[josejoseph]

Hello,

I'd highly recommend Rappai's Chicken Corner at Palarivattom and Pai Dosa, M.G. Road for a variety of dosas.

Thanks,
Jose.

[grandkruizer]

Can the thread title be changed to 'A guide : Eating out in Kerala' and include other cities/towns as well?
I'd be really useful for travellers.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

I was mulling opening a similar thread for quite some time.

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

1 , The one in the Oberon mall - hell lot of varites cheaper price

+1 to that. I simply loved the tiger / jumbo prawns from their arabian outlet.

2 , Kayees - Mattancheri for awsome Biriyani and lemon tea

But not the one at DH road, near TDM hall. The "Ceylon bake house" near Broadway/Press club road junction serves better Chicken Biryani. This, like the other Ceylon Bake Houses (Near SRV and the one near Jos Junction) cater to lower middle class. Good biryani though.

One day my brother went to a place called njarakkal , there is a place where they offer fishing , after fishing they will cook the fish for us in front of us , we can have that fish with the meals , rs 150 for the meals with ice cream and the fish , they also provide boat for fishing.

You mean you catch your own fish, AND then pay them rent of the boat + additional for the means?

Njarakkal is some 10-ish KM from the Goshree bridges on Vypeen Islands. Where exactly in Njarakkal?

Another place - they cook fish caught fresh off the Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin. I have not tried that, but it appears that the cooking is rather "under-masala"ed; more oriented to Westerners.

Originally Posted by josejoseph

Pai Dosa, M.G. Road for a variety of dosas.

Yes.

For the regular / office types like me, the veggie choice would be BTH and Dwaraka. What else do veggies have?

For once a month family outings, the BTH's a/c restaurant (Subhiksha, IIRC) would come next only to Dwaraka, but cooking and flavours sometimes tends to be inconsistent.

The Punjabi Dhaba, behind Bata on Broadway, is strict veg, and is very short on space, good on quality and tends to be very busy. Nice place, if homesick northeners want authentic N. Indian cooking. Only place in Kerala where I have got proper lassi. Will be very crowded on days Navy ships are in port. (Disclaimer - the owner is a friend).

Delhi Durbar is best avoidable. (Never went back after a dinner left plenty of bad taste in the mouth 2 years back).

Andhra Meals, near the collector's bungalow, Goo food; but not sure if what they serve is proper Andhra food. I go there only because food is good. And eye watering. ;-) The place on the ground floor (Tandoor) can be summed up in just these words "outrageous prices for the quality we get".

But hey, what about other places in Kerala?

Here is one place in Trichur I always frequent whenever I pass by - Navarathna on MG road - Round junction (Naduvil aal??) . Excellent, consistent and very reasonable. (not been there for 1 1/2 years now). Try their Karimeen pollichathu, when available. Only down side - you will have to spend at least 1 hour there. They take up to 20 minutes for preparing. The ground floor here is only veg; non-veg is served from a different Kitchen on the first floor.

The place run by Abad group in Bay Pride Mall - offers a reasonably priced, but limited menu.

And there is this coffee day or something outlet opposite bay pride (below the Chamber of commerce / near the SBI personal banking branch (there are 3 SBI branches within 200 meters here), which serves good "vellayappams", and of course, several varieties of coffee. I go there for the vellayappams; I am not exactly a coffee buff.

And no - no star rated / bar attached places for me. I am teetotaller, and cannot afford the former.

Edit - support GrandKruizer's request.

[jkdas]

The fav now is Dhal Roti, IIRC.

If I am at Coc I would call A S H V I N , then speedzak. Period.

[deepclutch]

BIMBIS was what used to be a hot spot many years ago.not hearing much about them these days.For Andhra/Tamil type Veg/Non-Veg Foods,I used to visit a restaurant(unnamed ,I guess) above tandoor restaurent off woodlands hotel.

[Edsel Rulez!]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

BIMBIS was what used to be a hot spot many years ago.not hearing much about them these days.

The fast-food outlet at Jos Junction? It's still around, and offers the same fare. This was a hole-in-the-wall in the early 80s and functioned in an alley next to what was then called Maulana Bakers. Then a new multi-storeyed building came up and the swanky (by Cochin standards) Bimbis came into being somewhere around 1986, along with two restaurants (upstairs) called Sadya and Khyber. Over two decades later the sheen's worn off and the furniture looks shabby. But it still seems to pull in customers. It has a decent counter for pastries, indian sweets and mixture/farsan. In recent years the inevitable chaat stall has put in an appearance.

Originally Posted by deepclutch

For Andhra/Tamil type Veg/Non-Veg Foods,I used to visit a restaurant(unnamed ,I guess) above tandoor restaurent off woodlands hotel.

The "unnamed restaurant" is officially called Chillies, and belongs to the same management as Tandoor. The Andhra (actually hybrid) thali costs around Rs 70 and includes boiled white rice, sambar, pappu, cabbage thoran, a koottukari-lookalike, rasam, mango pickle, gongura chutney, mulagapodi, payasam, buttermilk and papads. Quite VFM. You can also order a non-veg dish on the side if you wish -- try the mutton pepper fry. Incidentally, Tandoor was arguably the first upmarket restaurant in Cochin to offer Punjabi fare, in the late 70s. I remember having a "half butter chicken" there in 1980 for Rs 11. The same now costs around Rs 240.

[foby.sebastian]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

I was mulling opening a similar thread for quite some time.



+1 to that. I simply loved the tiger / jumbo prawns from their arabian outlet.

But not the one at DH road, near TDM hall. The "Ceylon bake house" near Broadway/Press club road junction serves better Chicken Biryani. This, like the other Ceylon Bake Houses (Near SRV and the one near Jos Junction) cater to lower middle class. Good biryani though.

You mean you catch your own fish, AND then pay them rent of the boat + additional for the means?

Njarakkal is some 10-ish KM from the Goshree bridges on Vypeen Islands. Where exactly in Njarakkal?

Another place - they cook fish caught fresh off the Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin. I have not tried that, but it appears that the cooking is rather "under-masala"ed; more oriented to Westerners.



Yes.

For the regular / office types like me, the veggie choice would be BTH and Dwaraka. What else do veggies have?

For once a month family outings, the BTH's a/c restaurant (Subhiksha, IIRC) would come next only to Dwaraka, but cooking and flavours sometimes tends to be inconsistent.

The Punjabi Dhaba, behind Bata on Broadway, is strict veg, and is very short on space, good on quality and tends to be very busy. Nice place, if homesick northeners want authentic N. Indian cooking. Only place in Kerala where I have got proper lassi. Will be very crowded on days Navy ships are in port. (Disclaimer - the owner is a friend).

Delhi Durbar is best avoidable. (Never went back after a dinner left plenty of bad taste in the mouth 2 years back).

Andhra Meals, near the collector's bungalow, Goo food; but not sure if what they serve is proper Andhra food. I go there only because food is good. And eye watering. ;-) The place on the ground floor (Tandoor) can be summed up in just these words "outrageous prices for the quality we get".

But hey, what about other places in Kerala?

Here is one place in Trichur I always frequent whenever I pass by - Navarathna on MG road - Round junction (Naduvil aal??) . Excellent, consistent and very reasonable. (not been there for 1 1/2 years now). Try their Karimeen pollichathu, when available. Only down side - you will have to spend at least 1 hour there. They take up to 20 minutes for preparing. The ground floor here is only veg; non-veg is served from a different Kitchen on the first floor.

The place run by Abad group in Bay Pride Mall - offers a reasonably priced, but limited menu.

And there is this coffee day or something outlet opposite bay pride (below the Chamber of commerce / near the SBI personal banking branch (there are 3 SBI branches within 200 meters here), which serves good "vellayappams", and of course, several varieties of coffee. I go there for the vellayappams; I am not exactly a coffee buff.

And no - no star rated / bar attached places for me. I am teetotaller, and cannot afford the former.

Edit - support GrandKruizer's request.

At njarakkal , that is a fish farm , they just allow us to fish there , Btw a calm place too.

I am pretty new to cochin do not know much places in cochin , just started exploring places here

[rajesh1868]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

For the regular / office types like me, the veggie choice would be BTH and Dwaraka. What else do veggies have?

For once a month family outings, the BTH's a/c restaurant (Subhiksha, IIRC) would come next only to Dwaraka, but cooking and flavours sometimes tends to be inconsistent.

But hey, what about other places in Kerala?

Here is one place in Trichur I always frequent whenever I pass by - Navarathna on MG road - Round junction (Naduvil aal??) . Excellent, consistent and very reasonable. (not been there for 1 1/2 years now). Try their Karimeen pollichathu, when available. Only down side - you will have to spend at least 1 hour there. They take up to 20 minutes for preparing. The ground floor here is only veg; non-veg is served from a different Kitchen on the first floor.

Veg - there is Sri Krishna Inn. this comes in the road behind Dwaraka. Used to be good a few years back.
the BTH restaurant in By pass road - sarovaram has good veg lunch

You are right. Navaratna in Thrissur is good. (last tried 3 years back). Used to visit regularly here. But any mention on Thrissur food should start with Hotel Bharath.
Excellent food and very economical. Lots and lots of options for veggies.

other veggie option in thrissur would be Midhila. pales in comparision to Bharath . but that doesnt mean its bad.

There is Aliya near railway station. again some 3 years back they used to have good biriyani

[foby.sebastian]

Originally Posted by rajesh1868

Veg - there is Sri Krishna Inn. this comes in the road behind Dwaraka. Used to be good a few years back.
the BTH restaurant in By pass road - sarovaram has good veg lunch

You are right. Navaratna in Thrissur is good. (last tried 3 years back). Used to visit regularly here. But any mention on Thrissur food should start with Hotel Bharath.
Excellent food and very economical. Lots and lots of options for veggies.

other veggie option in thrissur would be Midhila. pales in comparision to Bharath . but that doesnt mean its bad.

There is Aliya near railway station. again some 3 years back they used to have good biriyani

Thrissur - eat outs


Navaratna is the worst now .

At thrissur , spoon resturant at east fort

LULU at puzakkal padam is awsome - varites of biriyanies

Mothi mahal at MG road

Wood lands at Mg road is veggie

Joys , Das and Ashoka all 3 in sakthan stand with lot of parking space.

mint palace in shournur road

There is a new Update - Try ashoka bakery near railway station awsome really awsome coustom made breads.

Awsome tea from the casino which cost 45 rupees.

For snacks , burger king at east fort and west fort

AFC and EFC

For veggies , as you said Bharath - break fast after the holy mass in bharath is must for many thrissur people

On the way to pookunnam in the left hand side there is a dabha kinda hotel newely opened "I for got the name" - but I do not suggest it for families.

NOTE - the hotel which is open for all the hartals and Bandhs , "The Indian Coffe House " In side the Jubilie Medical college

The one which is open 24X7 , the hotel in the post office road , forgot the name , but you will get awsome ghee rice though.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

BIMBIS was what used to be a hot spot many years ago.not hearing much about them these days..

They have two other outlets - one at Menaka, and another at Valanjambalam Junction, opposite International Marketing Corporation (the computer hardware wholesaler). I avoid all; they used to be great, but in the process of holding the price line, have faltered in quality. For example their dum aloo is just boiled potatoes, about size of cumin seeds, in coloured hot water.

They even used to run the restaurant for Manapuram Hotel @ Trichur. Too bad about their current state. But their snacks, sweets, and the pav bhaji - samosa - bhel puri stall outside the original outlet on DH road is good.

Originally Posted by rajesh1868

the BTH restaurant in By pass road - sarovaram has good veg lunch

BTH have more outlets - near the Specialists' hospital (North), near the TVS showroom, and another on W. Island. Standard fare, better, cleaner and tastier than everything else.

here. But any mention on Thrissur food should start with Hotel Bharath.

Obviously.

There is Aliya near railway station. again some 3 years back they used to have good biriyani

If this is the one facing the Rly. Station, (on side of the KSRTC main entrance) I think it is closed.

Now that Indian Cofee House is mentioned, here is a primer.

Menu is standard, cooking is identical, ingredients and tastes do not vary across outlets or days.

Ones from Trichur towards south are under one management. The ICHs towards north of Trichur (it is called the "Malabar area") are under another management. The menu is of course, different under both managements.

In fact, there is more than one chain under the name "Indian Cofee House" in Malabar area. For example, there is one at Vatakara, run by a Private Limited Company. Best avoidable for bland, standardized and run of mill fare, but in case I am stuck, or in a new locality, ICH is the place I would go for food, because I know that it is at least clean and neat.

PS:- I have asked the mods to retitle the thread so as to take in entire Kerala. In hope that they will accept, here we go:-

Payyannur:-

There is a place, above Rajdhani Jewellery, near the Perumba bridge. Opposite KeSRTC bus stand. They serve what they call (!!!) Chinese food in late evenings.

For veggies, Bombay hotel, on a narrow road opposite the old bus stand, inside the town.

More upmarket - KK, close to Bombay hotel. But this is a bar attached, three star joint. Under the same management as other KK group, which has several bars all over Kannur, and runs the new BOT bus stand as Kannur. dunno how comfortable families would be here.

Kannur

Taj restaurant, on SM Road.

Golden dish, Caltex Junction.

For the adventurous, there is one unnamed place opposite the ICH, ground floor of State Bank of Travancore at Caltex Junction, which has good Chicken dry fry, sold by weight only in late evenings. (do not try anything else here).

For the veggies - there is a "prakriti" restaurant, about 200 M towards Kozhikode side, from Caltex junction, on the left hand side. The board is small, and the place itself is a bit off the road, down an alley.

Bharath, On railway station road, for veggies.

[foby.sebastian]

Do we have any other 24 X 7 operated resturants other than Abad in MG road ? Ernakulam

Not the high end ones please

[mithun]

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

Do we have any other 24 X 7 operated restaurants other than Abad in MG road ? Ernakulam

Not the high end ones please

I don't think there is any restaurant that working 24x7 in MG Rd. But you can try the "thattukaddas" near South Railway Stn.

Also, I think Avenue Reagent is open 24x7.

[artofzen]

Most of the hotels have 24 hours coffe shop, but I would avoid Abad (both plaza and Atrium) coffe shops after 2AM, because you hardly would get anything and they take ages to serve.

Apart from the usual regular joints , my suggetions are below

For good Biriyani - There is a small joint opposite Sarita/Savita Theatre called Malabar Biriyani House.

For good Squid Pepper Fry - Mammas in tripunithura.

Aadu Achar ( Mutton Achar) - A malabar Jewish dish avaliable at Brunton Boat Yard

For good "Rasam: - main BTH

Dry chilli Chicken ( As snacks and Touching) - KR Bakes, PVTM

Good Idiyappam - Ceylon Bake House , But their chilli chicken is sadly not as good as it was before.

Rasmalai - Bimbis, Jos Jn & Sunday Buffet Brunch @ Taj Malabar.

TVM

Kethel chicken @Rahmaniya

Chicken Tikka & romali Roti @ Salwa Dine

Puttu & Mutton @ Buhari

Aalu Paratha at Dhaba near overbridge

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. (Forgot the name , I am sure TVM members can help)

Calicut

Zains, Sagar, Paragon ...

But my favourites are
Pickled Mango, Guava, Goosberry @ Beach

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 )

Mahe/Telicherry
Kallumakka Appam (Mussels in Steamed Rice Cake) near the bridge approaching Mahe on the way from Cochin

Kannur
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.

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.