Best Food In Calicut: Let’s Hunt The Top Places For A Hearty Treat

Gear up for a culinary tour to treat your taste buds with sumptuous dishes in the city.

Calicut is a seaside city in the southern state of Kerala. The city is officially known as Kozhikode in Malayalam and Calicut in English. The centre of Kozhikode Beach, dominated by a historic lighthouse, is a favourite place to cherish sunset views. Besides that, you can also explore a list of the best food in Calicut, for it is famously known to be the unofficial culinary capital of the country. Kozhikode’s culinary heritage is mostly the result of foreign influences, specifically the huge number of sailors that arrived on its coast during the last several centuries.

7 Places For Best Food In Calicut

With a diversity of cultures and cuisine heritage, here are some of the places to enjoy the best food in Calicut that you must treat your taste buds with during the next tour.

1. Paragon Restaurant

For the best food in Calicut, head to the Paragon Restaurant Catering in the region.

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Paragon Restaurant, located in the heart of Calicut, has been chosen as one of the most legendary restaurants in the world by a Croatia-based online food guide. Biriyani is known to be its iconic dish. Fish curry, chicken biryani, Mutton biryani, Kozhi mulakittathu, beef varattiyathu, kozhi nirachathu, kozhi stew, kozhi korma, goat head curry, Mutton stew, liver fry, brain fry, diverse biryanis, kabsa and manthis also are included in their signature dishes. The atmosphere of the restaurant provides a very captivating dining experience that celebrates the heritage of Calicut in a creative way.

Location: Kannur Rd, near CH Over Bridge, Kozhikode, Kerala 673001
Timings: 6 AM – 11:30 PM
Cuisines Offered: Malabar, seafood, Chinese, Thai, Arabic, South Indian and North Indian

2. Rahmath Hotel

Rehmath Hotel creates a cosy environment and offers aesthetic Malabar cuisines.

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Rehmath Hotel creates a cosy environment and offers aesthetic Malabar cuisine that also includes seafood and flavourful biryanis. Everyone tends to love recipes that use fresh ingredients to prepare their dishes. They provide one of the best of Calicut’s culinary heritage. It is one of the must-visit spots in Calicut to experience its amazing food.

Location: Aravind Ghosh Road, Manachira, Kozhikode, Kerala 673001
Timings: 7 AM – 11:30 PM
Cuisines Offered: Malabar, seafood, Thai, Arabic, Gujarati, South Indian and North Indian

3. Zains Hotel

With a variety of meals, Zains Hotel offers the best food in Calicut for non vegetarians.

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Zains Hotel offers the best veg and non veg food in Calicut and is one of the must-visit restaurants. It is run by Zainabi Noor, and Arikadukka. Mussel stuffed with mildly spiced rice is a must-try here. It offers a wide variety of cuisine, including authentic Malabar delicacies and global cuisine. The restaurant has something for everyone, whether you are a vegetarian or a seafood lover. It offers a perfect Mappila meal, seafood, and Kozhikode cuisine.

Location: Convent Cross Road Behind Fire Station, Kerala 673032
Timings: 12:30 PM – 11 PM
Cuisines Offered: Mappila meal, seafood, Thai, Arabic, Gujarati, South Indian, and North Indian

4. Gazania Mezban Restaurant

Gazania Mezban Restaurant is a hidden gem offering an aesthetic dining experience.

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It is a hidden gem offering an aesthetic dining experience. Its delectable Malabar cuisine made the region famous. The restaurants offer aromatic biryanis, seafood, and a variety of vegetarian food. It blends unique recipes with local ingredients and makes sure to please the customers. This restaurant is a favourite among locals, too. And it is a super hit among tourists ready to tick off some items from their list of the famous food in Calicut.

Location: Mavoor Road, Calicut, Kerala 673004
Timings: 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Cuisines Offered: Multi-cuisine, Malabar, seafood

5. Cafe Mavoor

Cafe Mavoor is one of the aesthetically known places serving the best food in Calicut.

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This cafe offers a great ambiance with great food in the city. It is a very popular hangout spot for teens and offers flavourful snacks along with biryanis and refreshing beverages. It offers the best food, service, and ambiance in Calicut. It has a wide variety of cuisine, and if you are looking for a fun place with authentic food, this is the right place.

Location: 3410, Raviz Calicut 673004
Timings: 10 AM – 12 AM
Cuisines Offered: South Indian, American, fast food, Mediterranean, and fusion

6. Adam’s Tea Shop

Traditional hot black tea from Kerala served in a glass cup on a wooden table in a cafe.

Photo: Ranjithsiji / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

If you are in search of good food in the coastal city with unique dining experiences, you shouldn’t miss Adam’s Teashop. It is one of Kozhikode’s greatest restaurants, providing one of the best foods in Calicut. This hidden gem has a secret menu of unique delicacies that surprise and captivate customers. Adam’s Teashop promises a gastronomic excursion unlike any other, featuring a range of traditional foods and beverages, each with its distinct flavour.

Location: Opposite Kozhikode Corporation Office 673032
Timings: 8 AM – 11:30 PM
Cuisines Offered: South Indian, tea

7. Bombay Restaurant

Bombay Restaurant is one of the popular places serving the best food in Calicut city.

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The Bombay Restaurant in Calicut is known for its aesthetic Malabar cuisine, with a legacy of over 5 decades. It has gained its loyalty through great quality, taste, and service. It is famous for fish curry and biryani. Besides serving a variety of cuisines, it is also known for its delicious evening snacks. So, if you are looking for a place where you can enjoy the best street food in Calicut, head to this place.

Location: Silk Street, Beach Rd, Kozhikode, Kerala 673032
Timings: 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Cuisines Offered: North Indian, South Indian, and Mughlai

Calicut offers diverse cuisines that cater to local and international tastes in various restaurants in the city. Its unique culinary heritage has been influenced not only by local flavours but also by Arab culture and also by interactions with the Middle East. The city is mostly dominated by Mapilla cuisine (Moplah). To try the best food in Calicut, plan your Kozhikode trip with TripXL today.

Cover Photo: LoggaWiggler / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Kozhikodan biryani is a must-try dish when visiting Calicut, made with fried onions and flavourful jeera masala.
Calicut's cuisine is a blend of local flavours, Arab culture, and Middle Eastern influences, making it a diverse and multicultural culinary experience. The place is also famous for its seafood.
Gazania Mezban Restaurant is a multi cuisine restaurant offering aromatic biryanis, seafood, and vegetarian options.
Kingsbay is a must-visit for seafood lovers, offering fresh and mouth-watering seafood options.
If you are visiting Calicut Beach, you can explore Adaminte Chayakkada, Sri Venkatesh Lunch Home, Punjab Di Rasoi, and other options.

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