Culinary Stops
Kochi’s culinary scene is a heady mix of indigenous flavours and foreign influences.
CREATIVE CORNER Located off the maze of quirky antique shops of Jew Town is 11 Kashi Art Café, which doubles up as an art gallery and artist residency. This fashionable space has a Zen-like vibe, with a vertical garden, wooden tables spread out in a shaded courtyard, and plants and contemporary artworks casually sprinkled around. Home-baked cakes, French toasts, and sandwiches complement the strong, organic coffee served here. Starts from `700/US$10, kashiartgallery.com
FINE DINE WITH A VIEW Designed in the style of a traditional kettuvalam boat, 12 Rice Boat offers the best seafood in a fine dining setup in Kochi. Housed in the premises of the
Taj Malabar Resort & Spa on Willingdon Island, the restaurant affords splendid views of the backwaters and the historic Mattancherry
town to its diners. Signature dishes made from fresh catch include tiger prawns in coconut oil, white snapper in banana leaf, and lobster bisque. Starts from `3,500/ US$50, tajhotels.com LOCAL TASTE
In the midst of a beautiful Portuguese courtyard, stands Malabar Junction, one of the prime places in the city to try local delicacies. It offers dishes made of locally sourced ingredients, with flavours that borrow from the land and the sea. Beside a range of authentic preparations, their speciality includes a degustation menu of local dishes, such as fish pollichathu, varutharacha koon curry, and payasam. Starts from `2,500/US$36, malabarescapes.com SHAKEN & STIRRED
An elegant lounge housed in the premises of The Avenue Regent hotel, 13 Mezzo
is often packed with evening revellers—both tourists and locals. Warm hardwood floors, and comfortable couches in white and silver add to the inviting interiors.
An array of European and oriental dishes complement a selection of wines, even as you engage in easy banter with your company. Starts from `1,500/US$22, theavenueregent.com