Exploring the Culinary Scene: Top Restaurants in Varkala

Perched on the edge of a cliff adjacent to the Arabian Sea, Varkala is a beach town that offers stunning and breathtaking views. This coastal town offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and spirituality. It is known for its stunning beaches, cliffside views, and laid-back vibes. Perched upon the cliff are numerous cosy cafes and trendy restaurants serving delicious seafood, continental, and local cuisine. You can enjoy the delectable food while taking in the mesmerizing views of the ocean below. From gorging over pizzas to eating fresh seafood, steaming hot thukpas, Kerala’s Karimeen special, and sipping a cup full of cappuccino, Varkala is a food lover’s paradise with a wide variety of cultural options to choose from.

Best Restaurants in Varkala

Here are some of the best restaurants in Varkala, which will take you on a gastronomic adventure, making your beach vacation even more memorable.

• Trattorias
• Café del Mar
• Hungry Eye Kitchen
• ABBA Restaurant
• Darjeeling Café
• Sreepadman
• Soul Food Café
• Little Tibet
• Coffee Temple

Trattorias

This restaurant offers a sea-facing terrace with a cosy ambience; it specializes in Oriental cuisine.  However, the restaurant also serves fine cuisine, including Italian, Thai, and Japanese dishes. You can spend an evening here eating the thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas, a delectable range of sushi, delicious basil rice with Thai curries, butter garlic prawns, and more. The clifftop view is perfect for enjoying a cup of finely brewed Italian coffee. Indulge in a variety of flavours while taking in stunning ocean views, which makes it a memorable dining experience.  The combination of delicious food, stunning views, and attentive services makes it among the best cliff restaurants in Varkala.

Café del Mar

This café is a must-visit if you want to indulge in a tasty, healthy, and filling breakfast. It is the in-house restaurant in Varkala of Hill View Beach Resort. In this multi-cuisine restaurant, you can find fresh salads and juices, freshly brewed coffee, waffles, pancakes, chicken wraps, club sandwiches, and more. The shack-like ambience of this café makes it a quiet hit among backpackers. In the evenings, you can enjoy live music with regional and local artists performing in the open garden overlooking the ocean, making it the best cafe in Varkala to unwind and enjoy a meal.

Hungry Eye Kitchen

Situated close to the iconic Varkala Cliff, Hungry Eye Kitchen is often regarded as the best restaurant in Varkala, offering breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. You can relax in the open-air atmosphere, which makes it an ideal Varkala beach restaurant to enjoy a meal and soak up the cool breeze and mesmerizing sunsets.  Hungry Eye Kitchen boasts a diverse menu that caters to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you're craving authentic Kerala cuisine, fresh food, or international cuisine, Hungry Eye Kitchen has it all. Savour locally caught fish and prawns cooked in traditional Kerala spices, and try their flavour-filled fish curry or appam for an authentic taste of the region. The restaurant also offers vegetarian and vegan options, which makes it perfect for a relaxing meal with friends and family.

ABBA Restaurant

This restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who wants to explore this picturesque coastal town in Kerala. ABBA Restaurant, one of the most popular Varkala cliff restaurants, offers a diverse menu, and has authentic German bakery items, which are favourites among locals and tourists alike.  The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients that make each dish burst with flavour.  If you are in the mood for a seafood platter, a light breakfast, or a slice of their heavenly cake, you will find it here. With the ambience being laid-back yet vibrant, it makes it the perfect spot for casual dining. So, in your Varkala tour package, don’t miss the chance to indulge in their freshly baked goods.

Darjeeling Café

Darjeeling Café is a popular culinary gem and one of the top restaurants in Varkala that combines relaxed vibes, delightful food, and breathtaking ocean views. The café stand outs among Varkala food spots, boasts of a laid-back ambience, complete with bohemian décor, wooden furniture, soft lighting, and an eclectic and flavourful menu that creates an inviting space. The elaborate menu offers a variety of shakes, smoothies, juices, and coolers, along with sandwiches, fried eggplant, Indian curries, gravies, and dals. The café is a haven for non-vegetarians with a variety of dishes like chicken, seafood, and beef. Start your day with hearty pancakes, omelettes, or smoothie bowls and end the evening with live music, delicious meals, and cocktails, making it a livened experience.

Sreepadman

Located against the Janaradhana temple, this food joint is perfect among Varkala vegetarian restaurants, and it is famous for authentic and delicious Kerala cuisine. Experience Kerala Sadya, a festive vegetarian feast that serves a medley of curries, rice, and pickles on a banana leaf. Their vegetarian specialties include avial (mixed vegetable curry with coconut) and thoran (stir-fried vegetables), all prepared to perfection with traditional spices and flavours.  With its low prices, it is one of the best veg restaurants in Varkala for budget travellers, where you can enjoy an “all-you-can-eat” South Indian vegetarian thali.  The ambience of the restaurant is cosy and welcoming, which makes it a great place to enjoy a traditional meal with friends and family.  Enjoy a hearty meal after a day of sightseeing.

Soul Food Café

Soul Food Café is an experience in the culinary world and one of the best restaurants in Varkala with its innovative twists on traditional Kerala foods, authentic South Indian cuisine, Indian street food, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Mediterranean meals and salads. The outdoor clifftop seating at Soul Food Café is particularly charming during events such as barbecues, wood-fired pizza ovens, and live music, making it a standout among restaurants in Varkala Cliff. Local produce ensures the freshness and quality of every dish in all these cuisines. Don't forget to sample the local coffee and fresh juices, and enjoy a breakfast that combines South Indian and Western classics. The diverse menu caters to a wide range of tastes, making Soul Food Café a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts looking for a unique dining experience.

Little Tibet

Little Tibet offers a delightful escape into the flavours of a culture of Tibetan cuisine. This restaurant in Varkala serves an array of traditional dishes such as momos, thukpa, and other Tibetan specialities, prepared with fresh ingredients, ensuring an authentic taste that transports you straight to the heart of the Himalayas. The charm of Little Tibet with its food also lies in the décor as it reflects Tibetan culture, creating an immersive dining experience. People can truly immerse themselves in Tibetan culture with various traditional cuisines. Little Tibet carefully selects every detail, from the intricate wall hangings to the colourful prayer flags adorning the ceiling, to transport diners to a different world, making it one of Varkala's best restaurants.

Coffee Temple

If you're looking for coffee in Varkala, you should visit Coffee Temple, one of the best cafes in Varkala. They prepare coffee beans from freshly ground, which gives a perfect cup experience. With this freshly brewed coffee, you can have lavish English breakfast spreads or some brilliantly made crepes, burritos, fajitas, and tacos. They make a wide range of toasts from their homemade breads. Coffee Temple is also counted among the top restaurants in Varkala, providing generous portions suitable for sharing among friends, making it an ideal location for casual brunch or breakfast. The café also houses a tiny library and lounge where you can meet with different types of people, such as painters, musicians, and artsy folks from all around the world. Whether you are looking for a quick bite or a leisurely brunch, enjoy a delicious meal.

Along with its beaches in Varkala, this coastal town offers a rich culinary landscape that beautifully complements its stunning view and laid-back vibe. Whether you are in the mood for traditional Kerala cuisine, fresh seafood, Tibetan specialties, or international flavours, Varkala offers a diverse selection of restaurants and cafes that ensure that every meal is a delightful experience.  From clifftop dining with panoramic ocean views to the best restaurants in Varkala, they promise to make your beach vacation truly unforgettable.