by Urbanaut Situated in the quiet beating heart of Fort Kochi, Kara is a labour of love by Maneesha Panicker who also owns the gorgeous Kayal Island Resort in Kochi. An art hotel with tasteful decor and lovely sit-outs, Kara is the boutique hotel that Fort Kochi deserves. Some rooms have loft beds making it ideal for families and the food in the cafe for in-house guests is fantastic.
festival
Friday, May 15
Kerala Museum
starts at₹ 212
by Urbanaut This cafe serves the best coffee in town - or that’s how they describe it :) Cute little spot in Jew Town that’s worth a quick stop for shopping and your caffeine fix.
by Urbanaut The dying art of embroidery is kept alive in this quaint little shop in Fort Kochi on Jew Street. All the hand embroidery is done by the village women around. The experience is very personalized with a warm reception by the staff. They explain the different kinds of stitching (including micro pointe and the tinier version of that, petit pointe—french styles that have been lost to history), some of which only exist in Kochi and can be done by 3-4 women in the world! The pieces are gorgeous and worth picking up as they make for cute gifts and can also be framed for the history contained in each one. Saving some dying art, one store at a time!
by Urbanaut Attention, art lovers! If you’ve ever wished you could live in an art gallery, then you’ll find what you’re looking for at the Postcard Mandalay Hall. Opened in 2021, this is a luxury boutique hotel has five rooms—each of which exhibits an array of artwork from different artists. The building itself is a 200-year-old landmark that used to be a residence in the Jewish quarter. The hotel has a contemporary yet rustic feel in terms of design with some modern art mixed in. If you want to experience the past and present of Kochi in one place, this is it for you. Not to mention, the experimental restaurant, Aah, that is housed within this space and is known for quality ingredients and gourmet food.
by Urbanaut If you’re looking for some memorabilia from the city that is not too heavy on your pocket, this store has an amazing buffet of cute little knick knacks to take home. From beautiful tote bags and fridge magnets to modern designs on t-shirts and postcards, this is an eclectic collection that has something for everyone.
by Urbanaut Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth. Built in 1568 by the Sephardic Jews who came fleeing religious persecution in Spain, the synagogue is opulent inside with hand-painted Chinese porcelain tiles and Belgian glass chandeliers.
by Urbanaut If you’re craving real biryani that makes you feel like you could eat a whole other plate, this is the place for you. Kayees’s famous mutton biryani is cooked in ghee, making the meat really melt in your mouth and the chicken fry is one of the best in the city. Though if we’re being honest, the lime pickle and date pickle accompaniments add a unique palette to the regular biryani flavours, making it stand out. The place itself has a simple ambience and is tucked away in a small corner. It is authentic to its core for its biryani and Kerala-style meat roasts. The only downside: they have no vegetarian options.
by Urbanaut Welcome to Riviera 1! This apartment is located in Thevara which is absolutely central to the city in every direction (approx 20 minutes from Fort Kochi and 10 minutes to Ernakulam ) and has an incredible serene view of the Kochi backwaters. It is also 2 minutes to a main highway that is connected in every major direction you wish to go in Kerala. The apartment is situated in a residential complex, very safe (solo travellers too) with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, AC's in every room , including the living room, & a balcony deck in 2 spaces over looking the backwaters. This space sleeps 6 people comfortably with room for 1 more on the daybed in the living room. Perfect spot for a group. Essentially the owners (creative entrepreneurs from Kochi) have tried to create a living space they would like to rent when they travel and this is quite evident when one stays in the apartment!
by Urbanaut It can be very hard for a non-beer drinker to find a good cocktail in Kochi. Hortus, in the Avenue Centre hotel, aims to solve this minor annoyance. With decadent cocktails inspired by the botanicals of the Malabar coast, every drink has a story to tell, and a flavour to remember. We love that Karl Fernandes, our favourite mixologist from Goa, is the brain behind these cocktail concoctions. Make a visit, won’t you?
by Urbanaut This is another Kochi local spot. The ambience has a minimalist vibe but the food truly speaks for itself. It has your classic Keralan dishes for when you’re craving a simple meal. Special shoutout to their appams and chicken stew! Both are perfect for an early and delicious start to your day. And if you’re lucky, you might spot some Malayalam cinema crowd while you’re at it!
by Urbanaut French Toast is a bakery with real heart. The chefs have trained at the Paris Cordon Bleu and the desserts are on par with Bombay and Delhi's finest.
by Urbanaut A true secret, Secret Garden is a delightful little boutique stay with just a few rooms of varying sizes, a pool in the courtyard, and minutes away from everywhere you’d want to visit in Fort Kochi. They’ve got friendly and kind staff, make dinner on request (but no lunch), offer yoga classes and free bikes and have a decent breakfast spread too.
by Urbanaut The undisputed cool kid of Kochi - Pepper House is run by the wonderful Tinky Mathew and is design house/boutique shop/gallery/events space and cafe all in one stunning courtyard location. A visit to Pepper House is a given during the Biennale - as it’s one of the main venues. But even outside festival times, it’s a hub of music, art and design.
by Urbanaut This small seafood eatery has a wide selection of local dishes as well as a few pasta options. It has a homely feel to it, right from the decor with pots, pans and little hanging lights and trinkets to the time it takes to prepare the food for a personlized touch. The fish curries come highly recommended (especially the mango fish curry!) and so do the appams.
by Urbanaut Right on the water, Seagull is an institution in Kochi and the perfect place to catch the sunset. It’s a local spot that’s extremely popular with tourists, so tables can be hard to get. But watching the ships pass with a cold beer and calamari is a fitting end to a long day of exploration.
by Urbanaut This gorgeous tiny cafe is attached to a lovely boutique homestay and serves absolutely delicious authentic Kerala cuisine. They also have a sweet little bar.
by Urbanaut A cute little cosmopolitan cafe, Qissa is a pet-friendly coffee shop with a gorgeous outdoor area under the shade of trees and a bright indoor cafe space. Their chocolate cake is well-known.
by Urbanaut Amazing desserts, coffee, hand made pasta and speciality breads - can we say how much we are loving the revival of Fort Kochi? Troubadour is a relative newcomer to the growing boutique cafe scene in Kochi and we’re here for it.
by Urbanaut A welcome and beautiful addition to Fort Kochi is Lila Art Cafe. An in-house art curator ensures their walls distract you from the beautiful courtyard area. They have regular music performances often featuring local talents performing in Malayalam. you can also find some local delicacies and authentic Kerala food here. In a word - visit.
by Urbanaut This is yet another cultural hub for tourists where gorgeous art meets delicious food. Kashi is an institution unto itself with a lovely ambience. The food is great for vegans, vegetarians and the health-conscious, people watching is at its best here and there’s always an excellently curated art exhibit when you enter and while you’re waiting for your table (which is inevitable).
by Urbanaut An extraordinary (and very expensive) hotel on the waterfront that is regal luxury at its best. The pier dining at the hotel is an equally unforgettable experience and the stunning pool along the frontage is the cherry on top. Stay here if money is no bar, or visit for a meal or sunset drinks if you can.
by Urbanaut Touted as the first boutique hotel to grace the charming Fort Kochi area, Malabar House is an iconic property. If your budget permits, staying here is an experience for old world charm and hospitality. But a visit to their restaurant for a poolside glass of wine and a meal will also suffice for those who’d like to curb their indulgences but still dabble a little bit.
by Urbanaut While this is a restaurant and bar, the real reason to visit is to watch the sunset. The spot is quiet, private and serves beer coupled with the best view in Kochi.
by Urbanaut This is a gorgeous property nestled in the seaside Fort Kochi area. The architecture has hints of Portugese, British and Dutch influence, and over 300 years of history. Keeping the comfort of guests in mind, they have restored their thirteen rooms to look charmingly ancient yet feel comfortably modern. The restaurant serves home-made bread and uses organically grown vegetables in their dishes. The food is great with first class service and a kind and courteous staff.
by Urbanaut This charming little boutique hotel in Fort Kochi is perfect for you to rest and rejuvenate after a lively day of sightseeing. The rooms are an excellent mix of modern and Dutch colonial style with a swimming pool and cozy lounge area. The restaurant menu serves fusion dishes ranging from some local favorites to Dutch classics. The best part: Its location, which is close to most attractions the city has to offer.
by Urbanaut This cafè inside the David Hall art gallery serves a two-in-one purpose of drawing you to the food and the art. They have global flavors, from Neapolitan-style pizzas and bagels to rice bowls and amazing tacos. And when it’s the season for some Mattanchère Spice Matured Plum Cake - who can say no to the signature dessert prepped for one whole year—just for you?! Experience the best of Kochi’s art and culture, all in this one place.
by Urbanaut If you're an art lover, this gallery needs no introduction because you're probably in Kochi for this very purpose. For those of us who occasionally consume art and culture to stay ~on trend, this is a must-do spot—both for its gorgeous art and for the architecture. The David Hall Art Gallery is housed in a restored 17th century Dutch colonial bungalow adding even more charm to the art itself. It is a cultural hub with great art, great food and most definitely, great company. The curation is ever-changing and they have a list of upcoming events on their website that you must check out.
by Urbanaut While most of the fort that gives Fort Kochi its name was destroyed by the Dutch and British, a small part of the fort remains as part of Bastion Bungalow - that also hosts the Ernakulam District Heritage Museum. Worth a visit if only to walk up to the terrace for views of the very photogenic Chinese Fishing Nets - the ubiquitous structures so closely associated with Kochi.
by Urbanaut The excellent French Toast outlet at Fort Kochi is a perfect stop for those exploring the best parts of Fort Kochi and Biennale visitors. Situated at the Cochin club with a lovely outdoor, shaded area - serving delicious food and bakery items, this should feature on your brunch or breakfast agenda.
by Urbanaut This tiny hole-in-the-wall place doesn’t have a name board and is only open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays - but they have the best Puttu in Kerala. Nothing else compares.
by Urbanaut This restaurant has a gorgeous view of the backwaters through its open dining area, and incredibly delicious food to go with the ambience. If you’re looking for a place to spend a lovely evening with a group of friends or family, this is the go-to! The food is reasonably priced but heavier on the non-vegetarian side—though all the vegetarian food they do serve is of great quality and also worth it.
by Urbanaut (Not to be confused with Restaurant Rolexio, the hotel) This kerbside place is an underrated Kochi spot that serves incredible biryani. It’s a locals-certified joint that’s sure to tingle your tastebuds. If you’re looking for reasonably priced delectable food, make sure to check it out. Go for the old-school vibe and stay for the biryani, shawarma, chops… all of it really.
by Urbanaut This nondescript place serves a huge variety of freshly made Kerala seafood and meat preparations every day. These are served along with a simple but delicious vegetarian lunch. The staff are some of the sweetest people.
by Urbanaut This is a perfect weekend getaway for people looking to escape the hustle-bustle of the city for a peaceful and cozy stay. The villa looks out over Lake Vembanad (as the name suggests) and has a total of 3 bedrooms, which allows you your privacy, and to feel at home (without any of the chores!). The place is run by two brothers who are very friendly and accomodating. If you're feeling active and outdoorsy, you can partake in sailing and kayaking on the lake with the help of their experienced trainers. What's more: the yummy seafood and other snacks will rejuvenate you and your loved ones for more adventure.
by Urbanaut Located on a private island shore just off the city of Kochi, Kayal Island Retreat is a 4-cottage boutique hotel that has the ability to stop time in its tracks. The retreat is made to be a respite from our 24/7 always-on lifestyle. Your food prepared by in-house chefs utilizes the freshest ingredients, and they tend to each dish carefully. The only thing they ask of you—is to be gadget-free. Take a long and quiet walk along the backwaters, go fishing with a fisherman or curl up with a book in one corner. Experience the best of nature, serenity and Kerala with this wholesome retreat.
by Urbanaut A charming boutique hotel in the gorgeous beach town of Marari, Flamingo is a wonderful option for those looking to leave Fort Kochi after experiencing its delights. Family owned and run (the owner Varun is absolutely wonderful), Flamingo has a pool and large, tasteful rooms and is a stone’s throw from the beach. Adventurous ones can hop onto the hotel canoes and canoe down the backwater to the beautiful Marari beach - quite a lovely experience! Their food is simple and good, and it’s a great place to “take over” if you’re a large group.
by Urbanaut A couple of hours away from Kochi up in the delightful Idukki hills, is this family-run biodiversity restoration and conservation initiative that doubles as a cute little homestay farmhouse. With four rooms fitted with all the amenities you need, Little Flower Farms has nature trails to explore and traditional home-cooked meals to feed the soul. The food is absolutely delicious. If you're feeling a little more outdoorsy, you should explore their camping options too. Nothing says Kerala more than sustainability, a serene retreat, and delicious traditional meals. The cherry on top is a seasonal outdoor natural pool that is straight out of a fairy tale.
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