Explore Kerala Top Culinary Tourism 2025

Kerala: Food Festivals, Trails, and Authentic Local Experiences

Kerala is not only known for its scenic backwaters and lush landscapes but also for its rich and diverse culinary heritage. The state offers a mouth-watering array of traditional dishes, influenced by its spice trade history and diverse communities. Whether you’re a foodie eager to explore local flavors or someone seeking authentic culinary experiences, Kerala offers an unforgettable journey. This guide covers famous food festivals, food trails, cooking classes, bakeries, and even breweries, making your culinary trip a complete indulgence.

Famous Food Festivals

1. Nishagandhi Monsoon Rhapsody Food Festival
   • Held in Trivandrum, this festival celebrates Kerala’s vibrant food culture during the monsoon season. The festival offers a wide array of traditional Kerala dishes, showcasing seasonal ingredients.
   • Highlights: Seafood delicacies, traditional sweets, and cultural performances.
2. Spice Route Culinary Festival, Kochi
   • This international food festival highlights Kerala’s rich spice heritage. Celebrated in Kochi, it brings together chefs from various countries, offering a fusion of local and global cuisines.
   • Highlights: Spice-infused dishes, seafood delights, and live cooking events.
3. Alleppey Food Fest
   • A vibrant celebration of Alleppey’s seafood culture, this festival attracts both locals and tourists eager to sample fresh, flavorful coastal dishes.
   • Highlights: Karimeen (Pearl Spot Fish), prawns, and crab dishes.
4. Onam Sadhya (Statewide)
   • The Onam festival, celebrated across Kerala, offers a grand vegetarian feast known as “Sadhya.” This multi-course meal served on a banana leaf is a must-experience event for food lovers.
   • Highlights: Avial, Thoran, Payasam, and Pappadam.
5. Malabar Food Fest, Kozhikode
   • Kozhikode hosts an annual Malabar food festival celebrating the rich flavors of the Malabar region. With its unique blend of Arab, Persian, and traditional Kerala cuisine, this festival is a foodie’s paradise.
   • Highlights: Malabar biryani, Pathiri, and Kozhikode Halwa.

Food Trails to Experience Local Cuisine

1. Kochi Food Trail
   • Explore Kochi’s vibrant food scene, from street vendors to fine dining. The city is known for its seafood, appam, and coconut-based dishes.
   • Must-try dishes: Fish Moilee, Puttu with Kadala Curry, and Tharavu (Duck) Curry.
2. Alleppey Backwater Food Trail
   • Embark on a food journey through the backwaters of Alleppey, where you can enjoy fresh fish, coconut-based curries, and toddy (local palm wine). Houseboats serve traditional meals made from locally sourced ingredients.
   • Must-try dishes: Karimeen Pollichathu, Fish Curry, and Appam.
3. Kozhikode Food Trail
   • Discover the culinary gems of Kozhikode, including the famous Malabar Biryani and sweet treats like Banana Halwa and Kozhikode Halwa.
   • Must-try dishes: Malabar Biryani, Mutton Chaps, and Elaneer Payasam.
4. Thrissur Street Food Trail
   • Thrissur’s vibrant street food scene offers a variety of traditional Kerala snacks, from Vada to spicy Fish Fry. Exploring the local markets and food stalls gives a taste of the city’s culinary richness.
   • Must-try dishes: Kappa (tapioca), Fish Fry, and Neyyappam.
5. Munnar Tea and Snacks Trail
   • Munnar’s food trail highlights its tea plantations and the simple yet flavorful snacks that accompany them. Freshly brewed tea, along with banana fritters and Kerala-style samosas, make this a must-experience.
   • Must-try dishes: Banana Fritters, Puttu, and Kerala Black Tea.

Cooking Classes with Local Chefs

1. Nimmy Paul’s Cooking Classes, Kochi
   • One of the most sought-after cooking experiences in Kerala, Nimmy Paul’s classes provide an in-depth exploration of traditional Kerala cuisine, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
   • Focus: Kerala fish curry, Appam, and traditional vegetarian meals.
2. Maria George’s Culinary Classes, Alleppey
   • Known for her expertise in Kerala-style cooking, Maria George offers classes that focus on backwater specialties, including seafood and coconut-based dishes.
   • Focus: Prawns Curry, Karimeen Pollichathu, and coconut desserts.
3. Thekkady Spice Village Cooking Lessons
   • Visitors to Thekkady can take part in hands-on cooking lessons at the Spice Village, learning how to prepare dishes with freshly harvested spices from local plantations.
   • Focus: Spice-infused curries, vegetarian delights, and spice grinding techniques.
4. Pepper Trail Cooking Classes, Wayanad
   • Set amidst the lush spice plantations of Wayanad, this cooking class provides a unique experience, focusing on both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Kerala dishes.
   • Focus: Authentic Kerala Sadhya, fish fry, and Payasam.
5. Munnar Cooking Classes at the Tea Country Resort
   • Munnar’s Tea Country Resort offers personalized cooking sessions where guests can learn how to make traditional Kerala meals, focusing on fresh, organic ingredients.
   • Focus: Tea-infused dishes, vegetarian curries, and coconut chutneys.

Famous Bakeries and Dessert Shops

1. Best Bakery, Kozhikode
   • Known for its legendary Kozhikode Halwa, Best Bakery has been serving delicious sweets for decades. The bakery is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.
   • Must-try items: Kozhikode Halwa, Banana Chips, and Mutta Maala.
2. Mambally’s Royal Biscuit Factory, Thalassery
   • This iconic bakery is said to be the birthplace of the famous Thalassery Biscuit. It’s a great place to sample traditional Kerala baked goods.
   • Must-try items: Thalassery Biscuits, Plum Cake, and Puffs.
3. Sree Krishna Sweets, Ernakulam
   • Known for its traditional Kerala sweets, Sree Krishna Sweets offers a wide range of local delicacies, including Payasam, laddus, and coconut-based desserts.
   • Must-try items: Palada Payasam, Mysore Pak, and Banana Halwa.
4. French Toast, Fort Kochi
   • This popular bakery and café offer a fusion of French and Kerala-style desserts. It’s a perfect spot for a sweet treat after exploring Fort Kochi.
   • Must-try items: French pastries, Banana Cake, and Kerala-style cheesecake.
5. Baker’s Street, Alleppey
   • Known for its variety of bread and sweet treats, Baker’s Street is a cozy spot to grab some Kerala-style baked goodies.
   • Must-try items: Plum Cake, Bread Rolls, and Tapioca Cake.

Popular Breweries and Vineyards

1. Misty Mountain Vineyards, Wayanad
   • Nestled in the hills of Wayanad, Misty Mountain Vineyards offers a unique experience with locally made wines. Visitors can tour the vineyard and taste the exquisite wines produced here.
   • Specialties: Fruit wines, including mango, pineapple, and banana wine.
2. Arakku Valley Coffee and Wine Tasting, Munnar
   • This unique experience combines the rich coffee culture of Kerala with locally made wines. The blend of fresh coffee and fruit-based wines creates an unforgettable tasting experience.
   • Specialties: Coffee wine, organic coffee, and fruit wines.
3. Changanassery Breweries, Kottayam
   • Known for producing Kerala’s traditional toddy, Changanassery Breweries also offer a selection of fruit wines and local brews, giving tourists a taste of Kerala’s indigenous drinks.
   • Specialties: Toddy, coconut wine, and pineapple wine.
4. Sula Vineyard Outlets, Kochi
   • While Sula Vineyards is headquartered in Maharashtra, their outlets in Kerala provide wine tasting experiences with an array of local and international wines.
   • Specialties: Sula wines, rosé, and sparkling wines.

Kerala’s culinary tourism offers a rich, flavorful journey through its traditional dishes, food festivals, and authentic dining experiences. From food trails to cooking classes with local chefs, exploring Kerala’s diverse cuisine is a must for any traveler. Plan your next culinary adventure in Kerala, and experience the flavors of this beautiful state!