Good to know
Good to Know
- Seafood is fresh and abundant due to local fishermen; many restaurants display live catch and prepare to order
- Cliff-top restaurants charge 3-5x premium prices compared to town eateries - budget-conscious travelers can find authentic Kerala food at local mess establishments for under ₹150/meal
- Vegetarian dining is well-supported; dedicated vegetarian restaurants ensure meat-free quality, not just side options
- Payment methods vary - some smaller establishments accept cash only; cards accepted widely at tourist-oriented restaurants
- Dinner reservations recommended at popular cliff venues (ABBA, Clafouti, Darjeeling Cafe) especially weekends, as tables fill quickly
- Local Kerala meals (Sadhya, fish curry, appam) best enjoyed at family-run eateries and traditional mess halls, not tourist spots
Supermarkets
Kollam Store
- Neighborhood
- Varkala Kallambalam Road (Puthenchanda area)
- Description
- Wide range of local and international products, fresh produce, spices, packaged snacks, household goods, personal care items
Krishna Stores
- Neighborhood
- Varkala (multiple locations mentioned, Odayam Beach Road area)
- Description
- Local grocery store with fresh produce and traditional Kerala snacks
Budget
Cafe HBR
- Price Range
- ₹150
- Neighborhood
- Varkala Cliff (Beach area)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- South Indian vegetarian - masala dosa, poori masala, paratha, uttapam
Amma Mess & Janakeeya Hotel
- Price Range
- ₹100
- Neighborhood
- Varkala Town (walking distance from cliff/beach)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Kerala cuisine - veg dosa, parotta with curry, thali, Kerala meal
The White Rabbit Vegetarian Cafe
- Price Range
- ₹200
- Neighborhood
- Cliff Beach (Varkala Cliff)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- South Indian specialties - masala dosa, Kerala paratha, burger, Buddha bowls
Sunrise Restaurant
- Price Range
- ₹250
- Neighborhood
- Varkala North Cliff
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Indian, Italian, seafood - affordable rooftop dining with sea views
High End
ABBA Restaurant & Everest German Bakery
- Price Range
- ₹800
- Neighborhood
- North Cliff, Varkala
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Israeli cuisine, European breakfast, German bakery - multimenu restaurant with sea views
Little Tibet
- Price Range
- ₹700
- Neighborhood
- North Cliff, Varkala
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Authentic Tibetan cuisine - momo, thukpa, thenthuk with excellent views
Black Beach Seafood Restaurant
- Price Range
- ₹900
- Neighborhood
- Black Beach Resort, Varkala
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Grilled seafood, Kerala dishes with cliffside views and waves ambiance
Mid Range
Cafe Delmar
- Price Range
- ₹400
- Neighborhood
- Varkala Cliff (main cliff pathway)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- International and Indian - pasta, pizza, seafood with cliff views
Clafouti Restaurant
- Price Range
- ₹500
- Neighborhood
- Near Black Beach, North Cliff
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Chinese, Indian, seafood - tandoori fish, fresh croissants
Gods Own Country Kitchen
- Price Range
- ₹450
- Neighborhood
- Near Helipad, North Cliff
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Kerala cuisine and seafood with sea views and live music
Darjeeling Cafe
- Price Range
- ₹400
- Neighborhood
- North Cliff, Varkala Town
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Indian, Asian, Tibetan - momos, pancakes, seafood with ocean views
Local Must Try Dishes
Kerala Fish Curry (Fish Molee)
- Description
- Creamy fish stew cooked in coconut milk sauce with spices, typically served with rice or roti
Appam with Stew
- Description
- Soft, fluffy rice pancakes served with rich, spiced meat or vegetable stew
Karimeen Fry
- Description
- Fried pearl spot fish, a local specialty caught by fishermen and prepared fresh in tandoors
Sadhya
- Description
- Traditional Kerala meal served on banana leaf with rice, vegetables, curries, and condiments
Banana Fritters
- Description
- Fried bananas in flour batter, served with chutney or curry for dipping
Palada Payasam
- Description
- Popular Kerala dessert - rice pudding made with milk and sugar, served at festivals
Food Delivery Services
Swiggy
- Notes
- Available for food delivery in Varkala South and wider Varkala area; multiple restaurants participate
Vegan And Vegetarian Dining
- Description
- Varkala has a well-developed vegetarian and vegan dining scene, with dedicated venues and many restaurants offering plant-based options across clifftop and town areas.
Venues
Lumuma
- Price Range
- ₹350
- Neighborhood
- North Cliff (Thiruvambadi Road)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vegan cafe - vegan bowls, coffee, smoothies with seaside views
Coffee Temple
- Price Range
- ₹300
- Neighborhood
- Varkala Cliff (start of cliff pathway)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Cafe with vegan options - excellent coffee, breakfast all day, pasta, salads
Satvik (The Rooftop)
- Price Range
- ₹400
- Neighborhood
- North Cliff Road, Varkala Cliff
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Pure vegetarian and vegan restaurant on rooftop with cliff views
InDa Cafe
- Price Range
- ₹300
- Neighborhood
- Near gateway area, accessible from cliff
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Healthy and vegetarian options with relaxed, friendly atmosphere
International Cuisine
- Description
- Varkala offers diverse international dining options, with Italian, Israeli, German, and Tibetan cuisines well represented across cliff and town venues. Pizza, pasta, and European breakfast are widely available.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Varkala
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.