Velvet Dawn Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in Kerala

My friend and I recently went for dinner at this newly opened cafe/restaurant with great expections after seeing the reviews. However, we were quite disappointed with both food and service. Overall ambience was good as it's set up in a renovated but traditional Kerala home with plenty of greenery arround. The service was poor ( I mean untrained and inexperienced staff although the staff were friendly) that three times we had to get up and search for service staff for help. Even things like plates, glasses for water, proper cutlery etc had to be requested before it found its way to the table even after the order came. Food was mediocre! Plating of the food was fine (see pics).

Ordered the Fish Fingers, Kovalam Chicken Salad and a Chicken dish with creamy sauce and a side of garlic rice (it was not on the menu they offered which had appetizers, sandwiches and wraps). The fish fingers were the only thing palatable. The salad was too soggy, sweet and dripping in dressing (forgot to click a pic). The mango slices that came with it but kept on the side were neither ripe nor raw and somehow never looked like it was part of the salad. The chicken dish had no flavour other than plenty of creamy sauce and the garlic rice was more peppery than garlicky. There was nothing to suggest that this was perhaps a Swiss inspired dish. Infact nothing on the menu suggests any collab effort to mark the cafe as an Indo European fusion cuisine inspired one. No servers ever came to check up in between or ask if we needed anything and we had to go in search of them for the bill. Skipped the dessert as we had already left more than half the food we ordered untouched and was not confident about ordering more.

Velvet Dawn is certainly a nice attempt but they need to up their game on food and quality of service to be a serious contender in the more upmarket restaurant/cafe scene in Tvm. The place has potential and they are still very new. So hopefully they will sort out the quality of food and service soon and give Trivandrum residents a good alternative to some of the other cafes...

A hidden gem with an out of the and luscious food, fantastic ambience and an extremely amicable, polite and helpful staff. The folks were really helpful in providing insights into the dishes and guiding us to make decisions. When we had some questions regarding one of the dishes, the staff was extremely kind enough to bring out the chef to clear all of our doubts.

The place is tucked away in a small alley off of Shasthamangalam Road, going from Vellayambalam Junction to Shasthamangalam Circle. We stumbled upon it recently only by an accidental U-Turn. PS: A sign board or something on the main road would be really helpful.

We started our dinner with Bruschetta and Garlic Bread and some mocktails. The appetizers are made with in-house bread and the Bruschetta, especially, is just out of the world. The flavour, crispy texture, side salsa and sauce and a wonderful presentation is heavenly and mouth-watering. We ended up getting round two of Bruschetta as none of us could just be done with just one order. We progressed further in our dinner with Chicken Fricassee, Crispy Prawns with Chilli, Garlic & Basil and Brazilian Chicken Strips. All the main course dishes were really blissful. We were sad that we couldn't continue further in trying other dishes that they had to offer, but then again, that gives us a reason to come back again. In the end, we wanted to get some dessert but, we were just totally stuffed and full. But then the staff was super gracious to offer us samplers of their desserts. If the main appetizer and main course till now were just amazing, you would be surprised that they have a few more tricks up their sleeve with even more amazing desserts. The Dark Chocolate Chip Cake is to die for and must be definitely...

I had the pleasure of dining at the Velvet Dawn Cafe & Restaurant in Trivandrum today, and I was thoroughly impressed. From the moment I stepped inside, I was captivated by the charming ambiance and the warm hospitality of the staff.

The restaurant is beautifully decorated with a unique blend of old-world charm and modern touches, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The outdoor seating area, surrounded by greenery and a beautiful fish pond, adds to the overall tranquility of the place.

The food was absolutely delicious, flavorful and perfectly presented. The portions were generous, and the prices were very reasonable for the ambience.

The service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, friendly, and always ready to assist with any requests. They made sure we had everything we needed and ensured our dining experience was enjoyable from start to finish.

While the entryway can be a bit congested, the ample parking on the main road and the short walk to the restaurant make it easily accessible.

Overall, I highly recommend Velvet Dawn Cafe & Restaurant to anyone looking for a delightful dining experience in Trivandrum. The delicious food, charming ambiance, and exceptional service make it an ideal spot for a casual meal with friends or family. Don't miss out on...