South India has some of the most ineffable hidden gems. For example, consider Coorg. This countryside hill station abounds with ravines, pristine waterfalls, lakes, hilltops, coffee plantations, diverse fauna & flora, and lovely yet unpredictable weather. It is always an inexplicable indulgence to roam the streets and parks of Coorg to experience the fresh air and exotic climate of this nature’s splendour.
You’ll definitely be ravenous after exploring this lush retreat in the mountains. And in this blog post, we will help you locate some of Coorg’s top eateries, all of which will entice your taste palette with their culinary prowess, something you will always cherish about your trip to this wonderful retreat.
Here’s a list of the top five restaurants to visit on your next vacation to Coorg.
Madikeri’s East End Hotel
One of the oldest and most popular of all restaurants in the entire Coorg district is the East End Hotel in Madikeri, so much so that the locals swear by its decadent culinary masterpieces and services. Although most of the dishes on its menu are great, there’s one speciality that stands out and has made its way into the hearts of consumers. It is the iconic Keema Dosa and Keema Cutlet.
Prepared from a unique blend of spices and aromatic herbs with fresh deli supplies of mutton or minced lamb, these melt-in-the-mouth delicacies are sure to sweep you off your feet. Apart from these, Keema Unde Curry and Fried Chicken on the menu are also great favorites amongst the customers.
Folksy Food
If you’re suppressing a hankering for authentic Kodava cuisine, then this particular eatery in Coorg is just the right place for you. It serves the most delicious yet affordable meals you can think of. Mr. Lipton, the owner of this beautiful establishment, is a great host and always willing to help with the best of their culinary masterpieces. But if you ask us, Folksy Food’s Koot Curry, a traditional vegetarian dish, and the famous Chicken Pandi are to die for. Do visit this restaurant and thank us later.
Coorg Cuisine
While thinking of South Indian regional dishes, we think it is important to go beyond dosas and idlis and savour other delicacies. Located right across from the post office in Madikeri, this humble establishment is again pretty well-known amongst the local foodies and tourists. It not only serves local Coorgi dishes but is famous for some of the top southern culinary delights as well. For the vegetarian folks, it has a variety of seasonal delicacies like kuru curry (bean curry), kummu curry (mushroom curry), and the most famous baimbale curry (tender bamboo shoot curry). It is also famous for its Rice Dumplings or Kadambuttu with Chicken or Dry Pork curry or Pandi, noolputtu-erachi curry (string hoppers with mutton curry), and Paputtu-Koli curry (steamed rice and coconut cake with chicken curry).
The Raintree
Popular for its Coastal, Southern, and Mughlai dishes, The Raintree is an imposing colonial-era establishment in the midst of an appealing estate. You will not only love their food but also the British-style architecture and ambience of this place. Plus, like all other restaurants that we have talked about so far, this one too isn’t very expensive. We recommend you try the exquisite Appams and Chicken Stew from their menu.
Badriya
A small cafe situated right in the middle of Virajpet Village, the Badriya restaurant is the oldest and most popular in this town. Though a humble establishment with limited seats, this restaurant serves some of the best shawarma in the entire district. But the one signature dish that stands out amongst the entirety of its menu is its famous prawn curry, the freshest catch in silky smooth coconut curry with Pathal, a kind of fried bread. And the chicken kebabs and the Malayali dishes are also well-liked among its consumer base.
Conclusion
A noteworthy takeaway from the above-mentioned eateries is that food isn’t very pricey in this Southern Hill Station. You will find many places that are budget-friendly with reasonable portion sizes. The district of Coorg is well-known for its friendly and hospitable locals, so go ahead and explore the region to your heart’s content while savouring the regional cuisine. It is unquestionably worthwhile.