Best Places to Eat in Kochi: Seafood Delights, Cafés & Kerala Specials

Kochi, in Kerala, has everything you may want as a food lover, from sizzling seaside shacks to stylish waterfront cafés. In this coastal city, you will find a great blend of culinary traditions that have been here for centuries, along with vibrant cafés that offer the finest contemporary food, making them the best places to eat in Kochi as well. Here, you have something for every palate. 

You can be sure that with self-driven car rental in Kochi, you will be able to enjoy the different eateries, the incredible views they offer, and their absolutely fabulous food even more.

From Net to Plate: Kochi’s Must-Visit Seafood Hotspots

Kochi boasts a commendable range of seafood eateries, including authentic local spots and luxury hotels. These are the top recommendations in this regard: 

1. Rice Boat 

One of the best places to eat in Kochi, this is located at the Taj Malabar Resort & Spa. The restaurant offers a luxurious, waterfront dining experience in a traditional boat setting. The fresh catch is highly rated, as are Keralan specialties such as the seafood platter and the Karimeen Pollichathu, a pearl spot fish cooked in a banana leaf.  

2. Restaurant Chef Pillai Kochi

The eatery is reputed for its Kerala-style classics but with contemporary twists. The seafood dishes here are among the best. The two dishes that you must have over here are Paal Konju, or tiger prawns, and Fish Nirvana. With a 4.7-star rating, this is a good spot if you are looking for great food to celebrate special occasions. 

3. Colony Clubhouse & Grill

It is situated at the Grand Hyatt and has been praised for its excellent views and seafood that is simply out of this world. 

4. Fusion Bay 

This is a popular spot in Fort Kochi – one celebrated for its authentic Kerala, Dutch, and Portuguese seafood at mid-range prices. The fresh seafood over here is something that you must not miss. The top picks in this regard are fish cooked in a banana leaf and squid olarthu.

5. The Machli Restaurant

This local favorite is well-regarded for its delicious yet straightforward fish fries and curries. We recommend that you visit it as early as possible, as it tends to get crowded during lunch.   

6. Paal Konju 

This is a highly rated, local family-run eatery in Fort Kochi. It offers some of the best seafood in the city at economical prices. The signature dish here is Pepper Crab.     

7. Maples Sea Food Restaurant 

Here, you get a wide range of seafood items like Garlic Fish and Crab Masala Fry.  

Also Read: Places to Visit in Kochi: Backwaters, Beaches & Colonial Charm

Brewed Bliss: The Best Cafés to Unwind in Kochi      

The cafés rank really high when you think of the top places to eat in Cochin. There is no dearth of top-rated cafés in the city, with most of the popular, art-themed eateries located in and around Fort Kochi.

1. Kashi Art Café 

This iconic art café, located on Burger Street, is famed for its unique ambiance, art gallery, and exceptional food. Their breakfast options and chocolate cakes are their most popular dishes. We highly recommend visiting on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.

2. Qissa Café 

This is a popular, cozy spot on KB Beach Road. The service here is good, as are its eggs and fresh tea.

3. Loafers Corner Café 

The café is located on Princess Street and offers a relaxed atmosphere enhanced by the street views from its first-floor windows. If you are looking for a great spot in Kochi where you can work on your laptop and have an excellent English breakfast, this is it!

4. Pepper House 

Pepper House is located on Kalvatty Road and is renowned for its ambiance, views, and presentation of food.

5. Mocha Art Café 

The café is at Mattancherry and is well known for its art-filled atmosphere. By the way, it also serves a diverse menu, including pasta and pancake in large portions.   

6. Pandhal Café & Deli 

It is part of the David Hall art gallery and also offers a beautiful outdoor garden space where you can enjoy the best all-day breakfasts, wood-fired pizzas, and smoothie bowls.

7. Café 17

This is an American-style diner located in Kaloor. The most popular dishes here are the pastas and the burgers.

Apart from these, you can visit places like French Toast and Indian Coffee House. 

Flavors of God’s Own Country: Best Kerala Eateries in Kochi

There are plenty of excellent places to eat in Kochi where you will get real Keralan food at various price points. The following are the top eateries in this regard.

1. Malabar Café 

The café, part of the luxurious Grand Hyatt, offers a five-star dining experience featuring authentic Kerala cuisine. This includes dishes such as Atturichi Kurumulagu Curry or pepper mutton curry.

2. Paragon 

This iconic multi-level restaurant in Kochi originated in Kozhikode (Calicut). It is well known for its Malabar Biryani, which is full of flavor, and for its diverse Keralan cuisine.

3. Arippa

This casual eatery is renowned for serving lively, authentic Keralan dishes in a vibrant atmosphere.

4. Grand Entrée 

People who have eaten here have praised it for preserving authentic Kerala flavors. Its best dish is the spicy chicken fry or Nadan Kozhi Perattu. 

5. Mullapanthal Toddy Shop

If you want that authentic, rustic Keralan experience in Kochi, you should give this traditional toddy shop a try. It is well known for its extremely spicy, fiery, and hot non-vegetarian dishes. Here, you will find a wide range of seafood, beef, and duck preparations. 

6. Kayees Rahmathulla Café 

This well-regarded and popular spot is located in Mattancherry. Here you can get the tastiest Malabari Biryani without spending much. 

7. Palaaram 

This casual but upscale restaurant serves classic dishes such as Kozhi Pidi and Kappa with Uli Kanthari Chammanthi. The first is steamed rice dumplings in chicken curry, and the second is tapioca with bird’s eye chili chutney and onion. 

Discover Kochi at Your Own Pace with Revv Car Rentals

The best eateries in Kochi are spread throughout the city, from beaches to buzzing city corners and heritage streets. This is why flexible travel is the order of the day over here, and this is where Revv, the best provider of car rental in Kochi, can be so instrumental in helping you have a great experience here. Thanks to the self-drive facility, you can explore the city however you like. This way, you also get to skip hassles like public transport and expensive taxis.

Final Thoughts 

The best places for food in Kochi are delicious reflections of the city’s soul. They are rooted in tradition and yet open to global influences. Over here, every meal is an experience unto itself – the lip-smacking seafood that you get fresh off the coast, the comforting and classic Kerala food rich in spices and coconut, and the charming cafés that are your best options for a relaxed conversation. There is more to exploring these destinations than merely satiating your hunger – it is about experiencing Kochi’s culture, coastal charm, and warmth in the plate served to you with your food.