Flavours from the coast

Koramangala bustles with eateries that serve a wide range of cuisines. However, there are very few that actually provide that homely feel that customers often look for when they’re eating out. One exception, though, is ‘Cafe Malabari’, located in 5th Block, Koramangala.

Visit this eatery and it’s like entering someone’s home. With strong aromas tempting you inside and the clean open kitchen — with steaming hot food served on the counter — ‘Cafe Malabari’ doesn’t disappoint.

People who live close to the eatery swear by its food and the friendly atmosphere. It serves just lunch and dinner and during these times, the eatery is bustling with customers. True to its name, ‘Cafe Malabari’ serves authentic Kerala cuisine, packed with spices and flavours from the coast.

Started three years ago by Anish Abraham, the place has become quite popular with the residents of the area.

 “I have always wanted to start something of my own. And seeing the lack of authentic Kerala restaurants in Koramangala, I thought why not start something small,” says Anish. The place has a small menu that includes popular Kerala dishes and over the weekend, it also serves more special items.

“We are open only for lunch, evening snacks and dinner. This way, our customers will have something different to eat every weekend as well,” he adds.  So, one can find tasty dishes like kozhi vartharacha curry — in which the meat is cooked in coconut paste — and mutton ularthiyathu, which is sauted with green herbs and onion. One can also try the regular items like chicken stew, meen peera puttu, appam, egg roast, biryani, karimeen pollichathu and many others. “Specials like ‘Malabar chilli crab’ are also a must-try here,” adds Anish.  In the afternoons, the place is bustling with the office crowd, with most of them preferring to order the meals.

In fact, the unlimited vegetarian and fish meals are a huge hit with the crowd at the eatery — not only do they include some tasty options, but they are also quite affordable.
“We have priced our unlimited meals at Rs 80 for the vegetarian meal and Rs 100 for the fish meal. These two are very popular. In fact, I would recommend the vegetarian meals, since there is more to Kerala food than just non-vegetarian items,” he adds.
‘Cafe Malabari’ is located at No. 143, 5th Block, Munireddy Kalyana Mandapa Road, Koramangala. For details, call 25507373.