Kerala Cafe Fort Kochi — Restaurant in Kerala

Review: 1 Star (If I could give zero, I would)

Our family had a very disappointing experience at this restaurant. The behavior of the restaurant manager was extremely unprofessional and disrespectful. His attitude was rude, dismissive, and completely lacking in basic courtesy. This is not the level of service anyone should expect when dining out. I will definitely not be returning and do not recommend this place to others. A restaurant is not just about food—it’s about how customers are treated, and this establishment failed miserably in that regard.

Instead of handling a situation politely or professionally, he spoke to us in a way that no customer should ever be treated—especially in a country like India, where hospitality is expected in every restaurant. As regular diners who eat out frequently, we have never encountered such disrespectful and cheap behavior from any manager before. This was absolutely shocking and ruined our entire experience. The manager's attitude was arrogant, unwelcoming, and far below the basic standard of customer service. We will never return here and strongly advise others to avoid this place.

The manager's behavior was not only rude but downright cheap and shameful. He kept peeping into our dining space just to see who was sharing food. Seriously? Is this what hospitality means to you? Our kids are small, and like any family, they were simply sharing from our plates. We were not asking for extra food, nor were we breaking any rules. But the manager's constant glaring and interference made us extremely uncomfortable.

We dine out often across India, and never have we come across such unprofessional and intrusive behavior. It’s shocking to see a manager act like this instead of ensuring customers have a pleasant experience.

To the manager: please learn how to treat guests with basic decency. If you can’t do that, at least keep your eyes to yourself and stop micromanaging families just trying to enjoy a meal.

To the people who are reading this. Fort Paragon is the best option without even thinking twice.

We are regular customers at Paragon and have always had great experiences there. For a change, we decided to try this restaurant—but it turned out to be the worst decision we’ve ever made.

Forgot to add,

The food did not meet expectations and tasted quite unpleasant. It's disappointing to see it presented as authentic Kerala cuisine, especially when serving...

If you’re exploring Fort Kochi and want to experience authentic Kerala flavors in a cozy, beautifully designed space, Kerala Café is an absolute must-visit.

From the moment you step in, the ambiance immediately sets the tone — warm wooden interiors, soft traditional music, and that unmistakable aroma of Kerala spices that makes you feel right at home. The restaurant strikes a perfect balance between traditional charm and modern comfort.

🍛 Food (5/5)

The food is the real star here. Every dish tastes fresh, thoughtfully prepared, and full of authentic flavors.

The Kerala Meals is a must-try — perfectly balanced with rice, sambar, rasam, thoran, pachadi, and crispy papadam served on a banana leaf.

The Fish Pollichathu (spicy marinated fish wrapped in banana leaf) was incredibly flavorful and cooked to perfection.

If you love biryani, their Malabar Biryani stands out with its aromatic rice, tender meat, and rich masala blend.

Vegetarians will love the Avial, Kaalan, and Vegetable Stew with Appam — comforting and full of traditional taste.

Everything is served fresh and beautifully presented, showing real attention to detail.

☕ Drinks & Desserts (4.5/5)

Don’t miss their Tender Coconut Pudding or Payasam — sweet, creamy, and nostalgic. Their filter coffee and fresh juices are also refreshing after a walk through Fort Kochi’s streets.

🌸 Ambience & Service (5/5)

The staff are polite, friendly, and always ready with recommendations. The service is prompt, and you never feel rushed. The décor combines heritage Kerala elements with contemporary simplicity — perfect for both tourists and locals who appreciate culture and comfort.

💰 Value for Money (5/5)

Prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion size. You truly get what you pay for — authentic, delicious Kerala cuisine served with warmth and heart.

⭐ Overall Rating: 4.9 / 5

Kerala Café, Fort Kochi is not just a restaurant — it’s a full cultural experience. Whether you’re a traveler discovering Kerala for the first time or a local craving homely flavors, this place captures the essence of Kerala’s hospitality and cuisine beautifully.

Highly recommended for: ✔️ Authentic Kerala food ✔️ Peaceful ambience ✔️ Great service ✔️...

Sunday evening, after church, my father, his friend, a friend of mine, and I visited Kerala Café in Fort Kochi for a cup of tea.

As we settled in, a staff member approached us with a device to take our order. We ordered three teas (one with sugar), and one coffee without sugar. Since only one plate of banana fry was available, we opted for a plate of Mulagu Bajji instead.

About ten minutes later, a staff member brought two coffees—one with sugar and one without. To our surprise, two additional staff members then arrived to assist, but only ended up making things more confusing by mismatching the entire order. We couldn’t help but wonder how such a simple order could go wrong, especially when the first staff member was recording everything on his device.

After another ten minutes, the banana fry arrived. A few minutes later, two cups of tea were served, and finally, at the end, the Mulagu Bajji came. The delay in service was quite noticeable.

When we asked for the bill, a staff member brought the bill holder and asked whether we would be paying via Google Pay or in cash. I replied that I would like to see the bill first before deciding. He then casually mentioned that the service charge was not included, and while rubbing his fingers together, implied that a tip was expected. I found this gesture and body language inappropriate.

After I paid the bill in cash, I noticed that the staff member opened the bill holder right at our table, took the tip out, tapped it to arrange the notes, and placed it into his shirt pocket in front of us. I did not expect such poor staff conduct and service from Kerala Café, which is regarded as one of the better restaurants in Fort Kochi.

It’s disheartening to witness such substandard service in an establishment with such a pleasant ambiance. I hope they take steps to improve their staff management and customer service...