My Favourite Restaurants in Fort Kochi

After trying quite a few eateries on my four visits to Fort Kochi, I’ve honed a small list of my very favourite places for lunch or dinner. They are all within walking distance of Eighth Bastion and Brunton’s Boatyard. However, do know that like many restaurants in Fort Kochi, none of these restaurants serve alcohol.

FusionBay

Fusion Bay near the Santa Cruz Basilica is very good for Kerala style food with mains for about AUS $8. They have a great Fish in Green Mango Curry, Coriander Pollichathu (marsala spiced fish wrapped in bananna leaf and grilled) and Syrian Christian Beef Curry Homely Meal. They even throw in a complimentary pumpkin soup and coconut and palm sugar pancake for dessert (in the busy season only).

Arca Nova

Arca Nova at Fort House Hotel has great food and a most gorgeous setting at night out over the water. Order excellent AUS$8 (approx) dishes like Fish Molee (Curry) served with spongy appam to soak up the flavoursome sauce or Fish in Green Mango Curry served with Kerala Parotta. The Fish Peera (shredded fish with fresh coconut and Malabar tamarind with spices is another lovely dish and perfect served with cocnut rice. The Fish Vattichathu (a spiced red curry) is served with kappa (tapioca) and this is a traditonal dish served at toddy bars.

Dal Roti

Also good, especially for lunch is Dal Roti which used to be near Chiramel Residency and the parade ground but has now relocated further down Lily Street.

Photos back in  2013!

Photo from 2016!

The katthi rolls are a good choice as is the paratha with chutneys, but the very best picks are the mango lassi and caradamom lassi.

Mary’s Kitchen

My very favourite spot is Mary’s Kitchen which is close to the Kerala Kathikali Centre, on the same road and just across from the Santa Cruz Basilica (1/957 K.B Jacob Road).

Mary and Martin are the most lovely young couple, serving wonderful AUS $5-7 home cooked Kerala meals like Prawns or Fish in Green Mango Curry, Fish (Pollichathu) cooked in banana leaf, Fish Mollee (Curry) which is my favourite, with soft delicious naan. Martin also makes a great lime, ginger and mint soda. Their roof top restaurant overlooks the Santa Cruz Basilica playground.

Mary’s Kitchen may look simple and ordinary from the outside, but it really does have the best food in Kochi. It is also great value with large shareable dishes made fresh from scratch. It’s perfect for dinner after a Kathikali show, being so close by.

It is possible to book by phoning 9446014385 however it may be closed in low season when Mary and Martin take a well earned break.

Don’t miss a lunchtime cooking class with Mary and Martin, it will be one of the best things you do in Kochi (about $20 and includes an abosolute feast).

David Hall Gallery and Cafe

For lunch it is also great to head to CGH Earth’s David Hall near the Parade Ground.

Originally a 350 year old Dutch East India Company House, it was bought by the influential Kochi Jewish Koder family and now renovated as a space where contemporary artists can work and exhibit free of charge.

I love the garden cafe specialising in wood fired pizza, like the Fort Cochin topped with seafood. It’s also good for a hot or cold drink.

The Spicy Chicken Chappati wraps are on my wishlist for next time.