Restaurants in Kochi make you believe in love at first sight. Love for dining experiences, that is. Like where else would you find a restaurant inside a boat? Or one inside a century old museum? Or one that plays live Carnatic music while you taste the delicious Malabari grub? So yes, the top restaurants in Kochi are perfect for reigniting your love for food, awe-inspiring views and a whole lot more.
And hey, we do know that you’re in desperate need of some fresh air. Coz despite what boomers might tell you, life for millennials and Gen-Z is pretty hectic. Especially when you’ve moved into a new city. And that’s exactly why we took the first step and compiled this list of the best restaurants in Kochi for you. Because that’s what we do – we add some fun to your otherwise dull routine. Why else do you think we have a common room with a pool table, a gaming console, and foosball in our Stanza Living residences? Plus, we even invite your favourite stand-up comics to perform for you. And on top of that, we don’t ghost you after you pay the rent. In fact, we stay around to make your lives easier. Just like we made this list of top restaurants for you to go out and explore. Now, all you’ve got to do is bookmark this page, and let us play cupid between the feel-good city of Kochi and the foodie in you!
Take a look at these best restaurants in Kochi:
Looking for a place with comfort and bucket loads of fun?Check our residences in Kochi. |
Few things can match the view of the sea you get when dining at the Arca Nova Restaurant. But one of those things is their Kerala Latin-Christian cuisine too. The Tuna Pepper we tasted is still occupying a large portion of our mind space. Even the wedding pictures Vicky and Katrina dropped on Instagram haven’t been able to distract us.
Must Try:Cauliflower Fritters, Tuna Pepper Location:2/6-A, Calvathy Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi Timings:1pm – 10pm Cost for Two (INR): ₹1,000/- |
One of the best rooftop restaurants in Kochi, the ‘Sky Grill Restaurant’ never fails to lift your mood. Or your appetite. The chefs, Ravinder and Gaurav, definitely don’t shy away from showing off their culinary skills on their menu. Even more than business managers writing theses upon theses about their achievements on Linkedin. And in Ravinder’s and Gaurav’s case, you know there’s as much substance as there is style.
Must-Try:Grilled salmon, pork rib, finger-licking kebabs and heavenly cocktails Location:Crowne Plaza Kochi, Kundanoor Junction, Maradu, Marad, Kochi Timings:6 PM – 11:30 PM all days of the week Cost for Two (INR): ₹1600/- |
Spending a couple of hours at the Ginger House Restaurant is quite an experience. And why? Because it is housed inside a museum. Also, they really do take their ginger seriously. Try their ginger tea, ginger lassi, and of course, the ginger prawns. Pretty soon these prawns, for sure, will become your favourite thing with ginger, after Ed Sheeran.
Must Try: Ginger Lassi, Ginger Prawns Location:Heritage Arts, Jew Town Road, Mattancherry, Kochi Timings:Mon-Sun: 8am – 5pm Cost for Two (INR): ₹800/- |
Asian Kitchen is one of the best restaurants in Fort Kochi. They serve the best – well no points for guessing – Asian dishes in town. And on top of that, you’ll find their Malabari and Kerala cuisine work their magic on your taste buds too. Basically, they’re good at everything. Like that friend who’s at the top of the class, and can shred the guitar as fast as they solve maths problems.
Must Try:Sushi, Chicken Skewer, Dimsum Platter Location:Cochin Club, Opposite Parade Ground, St. Francis Church Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi Timings:Monday to Sunday – 12:30PM to 3:30PM, 7PM to 11PM Cost for Two (INR): ₹1,100/- |
Fusion Bay serves you the best comfort food you can imagine. But here’s the thing, they always make sure to put a twist into it. Like the traditional dish called pollichathu, where they take the fish but wrap it in a banana leaf and grill that with an extra mix of flavours. Something that’ll excite your palate and wrap you in warmth. Exactly like Kochi’s indie music bringing the feel-good vibes on a dull, bluesy day.
Must Try:Coconut rice, Beef, Crab toast Location:KB Jacob Road, Near Santa Cruz Basilica Church, Fort Kochi, Kochi Timings:Monday to Sunday – 12 Noon to 10 PM Cost for Two (INR): ₹600/- |
Don’t be surprised if you’re greeted by an actual boat when you visit ‘The Rice Boat’. That’s not the only thing that will amaze you though. Their Malabari cuisine is famous for its lobster bisque, crepe suzette, prawns in coconut oil, and a crab au gratin. Haven’t heard of those before? Well, neither have we. So that’s definitely a good reason to hop on their boat.
Must Try:Fish Grill, Crab soup Location:Vivanta by Taj – Malabar, Willingdon Island, Kochi Timings:Monday to Sunday – 12 noon to 2:45 PM, 7:30 PM to 11 PM Cost for Two (INR): ₹3500/- |
The ‘Malabar Junction’ represents the soul of Kerala on their plates. And probably everywhere else in their surroundings too. For example, they’ve got live Carnatic music playing while you gorge on their local cuisine. And the servers guide you through the history of Malabari cuisine. Surely, this is a more authentic experience than what travel agents suggest on their “mind-boggling” packaged tours.
Must Try: Vegetable Tempura, Seafood Biryani Location:1/269, The Malabar House, Parade Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi Timings: 12 PM – 11 PM Cost for Two (INR): ₹1,300/- |
Another one of the top ‘Fort Kochi restaurants’ is the Solar Cafe. The restro-cafe is quite eclectic with its peppy decor, the dozens of coffee table books, and soothing lo-fi music playing in the background. And you’ll quickly grow a liking for their fresh juices too. Basically, it has everything that any millennial will go bonkers about, except maybe Harry Styles appearing on a magazine cover.
Must Try: Toasted Cheese Special Sandwich Location:Calvathy Road Just in Front of Customs Ferry, Kochi (Cochin) 682001 India Timings: 10AM – 11PM Cost for Two (INR): ₹700/- |
Like any other good North Indian restaurant, the ‘Dal Roti’ can serve up a lip-smacking chicken masala, and, well, a plate of delicious dal and rotis. But they do that with a South Indian spin i.e. a generous dose of Malabari spices garnished on top. And the atmosphere is pretty bubbly. Even more than a Preity Zinta role in every bollywood movie ever.
Must Try:Kathi Roll, Chicken Thali, Mughlai paratha Location:1/293 Lilly Street, Fort Kochi, Kochi Timings:Monday to Sunday – 12 Noon to 3:15 PM, 6:30 PM to 10 PM Cost for Two (INR): 600 |
Dhe Puttu is pretty well known in Kochi for serving the best puttu or puding. And the decor is unique in its own way. Like they literally have a gigantic 3D train coming out of the wall. And with a cardboard cutout of their chef looking at you with a cringey smile. But don’t be quick to judge, because when you taste their food, you’ll find a smile slowly appearing on your face too.
Must Try:Beef curry, Cinnamon Tea, Kada fry Location:NH Bypass, Edappally, Kochi Timings: Monday to Sunday – 12 noon to 11:30PM Cost for Two (INR): ₹600/- |
The Salt restaurant Kochi is the ideal place to visit to boost your mood. Especially if you’re a fan of the Kochi coastline. You get a direct view of the bright blue sea from the seating area. Which feels even better with the aroma of their jaw-dropping dum biryani. You know, along with the salty air that we just love about being in a beach town.
Must Try: Chicken Dum Biryani, Biryani, Rice, Chicken Location:Marina Mall, Thoppumpady, Kochi Timings:12 noon – 11 pm Cost for Two (INR):₹800/- |
The Fort House Restaurant has these old-school chairs and crockery that will elevate your fine-dining experience. On top of that, you’ll get to devour some amazeball contemporary dishes too. Interesting how such an old-looking restaurant (with old chefs) can compete with so many younger chefs when it comes to modern trends. Basically, the ‘Fort House’ is the Milind Somand of all the Kochi restaurants.
Must Try:Pork Vindaloo, Appams, Kerala chicken curry, Mango Lassi Location:2/6A, Calvathy Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi Timings:Monday to Sunday – 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM Cost for Two (INR): ₹1000/- |
If you’re looking for budget-friendly buffet restaurants in Kochi, then ‘Masala’ is where you should go. In fact, they spoil you with a variety of cuisines to choose from. Plus, you’ll find a live band playing for you when you’re hogging on their delicious dishes. All in all, this place will definitely add some ‘masala’ to your bland and boring weekends. No kidding!
Must Try:Pasta, Fish Grill, Sunday Brunch Location:Holiday Inn, 33/1739 A, NH Bypass Road, Vennala, Kochi Timings:Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 10:30 AM, 12 Noon to 4 PM, 7:30 PM to 11 PM Cost for Two (INR): ₹2000/- |
If we must pick, these would be our picks for the best restaurants in Kochi:
Of course, there are plenty of places in Kochi that will not burn a hole in your wallet for just one good meal. We’ve named a few below:
Definitely! In fact, Kochi’s cafes will become your ideal hangout spots before you even realise it. Here are a few of them: