What Food To Try in Kochi and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Kochi for 2024.
National currency: Ngultrum, symbol — ₹ (international currency code INR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Kochi cafes and restaurants
$1.5
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $0.73
$9.5
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $7.32
$4.3
Combo Meal
Starting from $3.17
What to Try in Kochi
Must-try Dishes
Puttu - Steamed Rice Cake - A cylindrical steamed cake made from rice flour layered with coconut. Locals enjoy it for breakfast, often paired with spicy curry or bananas.Vada - Savory Lentil Fritter - Deep-fried doughnut-shaped fritters made from yellow lentils and spices. Street vendors sell these crisp snacks in the evenings, perfect for a quick bite while exploring.
Fish Curry - Meen Curry - Fresh fish cooked in a tangy tamarind and coconut milk sauce, seasoned with local spices. This dish is often a centerpiece for lunch, served with rice and coconut chutney.
Appam - Fermented Rice Pancake - Soft, fluffy pancakes made from fermented rice batter, perfect for soaking up curries. You’ll typically find them enjoyed at breakfast or as a light evening meal, often at home or in small eateries.
Karimeen Polichathu - Pearl Spot Fish - Pearl spot fish marinated in spices and wrapped in banana leaves, grilled to perfection. This coastal delicacy is usually shared at family gatherings, making it a festive treat.
Avial - Mixed Vegetable Stew - A medley of vegetables cooked with coconut and yogurt, seasoned with a splash of coconut oil. Locals savor it during festivals, showcasing Kerala's rich biodiversity in a single dish.
Shark Biryani - Shark Biryani - Fragrant biryani made with tender pieces of shark combined with spiced rice, infused with saffron. Best enjoyed at lunch, it emphasizes how locals creatively utilize seafood in their meals.
Mango Curry - Mambazha Curry (Seasonal Special) - A tangy curry made with ripe mangoes, coconut milk, and spices, perfect for the summer. It's often served during the mango season, bringing a burst of flavors as a side dish to rice.
Desserts & Drinks
Coffee - കാപ്പി (strong local brew) - A robust coffee prepared with freshly grounded beans, often brewed with milk and served sweetened. Locals typically enjoy this at roadside cafes or at home during morning chats with friends. Fresh Mango Juice - മാമ്പഴ ജ്യൂസ് (refreshing fruit drink) - Sweet, pulp-rich mango blended with a touch of sugar and ice, served chilled on hot sunny days. You’ll find it widely available during the mango season, and it's a favorite at local markets after a long day of wandering.
Arrack - അരക്ക് (distilled palm liquor) - A potent spirit made from fermented sap of palm trees, often served on the rocks with a slice of lime. While enjoyed during celebrations and special gatherings, it's typically sipped slowly to appreciate its distinct taste.
Baklava - ബാക്കിയാവ (layered pastry dessert) - Flaky pastry filled with a mixture of nuts and honey, usually served in small squares. This treat is often enjoyed during family gatherings, and it’s sometimes prepared with local spices for added flavor.
Ice Halwa - ഐസ് ഹൽവ (frozen sweet treat) - A creamy blend of semolina, sugar, and ghee, frozen to make a rich dessert that's a hit during hot months. It’s a popular choice for festive occasions and can be garnished with nuts or served in traditional bowls.
By the way, if you're planning to try fresh mango juice, just go for the sweetest variety possible – it's a common mistake to think they all taste the same!
Food and Groceries in Kochi
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $0.59 |
| Bananas | $0.66 |
| Oranges | $0.9 |
| Potatoes | $0.46 |
| Apples | $2.14 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.32 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.57 |
| Imported Beer | $2.59 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $7.32 |
| Milk 1L | $0.67 |
Various Groceries
| Chicken | $3.39 |
| Cigarettes | $4.51 |
| Rice | $0.59 |
| Local Cheese | $9.23 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
Kochi's food scene pulses with life, especially around mealtime. Locals often gather for their midday meal between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, where you’ll find crowded restaurants filled with families enjoying a traditional lunch of rice, curries, and side dishes. In the evenings, expect dining to pick up around 8:00 PM as people unwind after the day.
If you’re wandering through Fort Kochi, you'll notice the price differences pretty quickly—expect to pay anywhere from ₹150 to ₹400 for a hearty meal at a casual eatery. Meanwhile, restaurants in high-traffic tourist areas may charge around ₹500 for a similar meal. Street vendors can be a budget-savvy option, where you can get a filling plate of local snack for just ₹30 to ₹100. (Perfect for late-night cravings!)
Payment customs here are quite straightforward. Cash dominates, but many places also accept digital payments via apps like UPI or phone wallets, which is super convenient. A tip isn't obligatory, but rounding up your bill is appreciated.
One local dining custom that stands out is the practice of sharing food. Friends and family often order several dishes to share, diving into a bit of everything. It's an invitation to connect and enjoy the meal together, which may come as a surprise if you're used to solitary dining habits.
A common mistake tourists make is dining too late. Many local spots close by 10:00 PM, so arriving after 9:00 PM might leave you with limited options, especially if you're craving traditional fare.
For peak hours, you'll want to avoid lunchtime in the densely populated Ernakulam area, where places fill quickly with office workers around 1:00 PM. Instead, visiting around 3:00 PM can allow for a more relaxed experience, often with fresh snacks still available from the day’s preparation.
As seasons shift, so does the menu. Monsoon brings about a surge in requests for spicy and comforting dishes, with prices potentially rising due to demand. Street vendors’ food prices can persistently revolve around what's in season, which can mean cheaper fares during bountiful harvests.
Lastly, don’t forget to understand transport links—Kochi's well-connected public transport makes it easy to navigate around dining districts, especially if you are trying to experience the diverse offerings from different neighborhoods.
If you’re wandering through Fort Kochi, you'll notice the price differences pretty quickly—expect to pay anywhere from ₹150 to ₹400 for a hearty meal at a casual eatery. Meanwhile, restaurants in high-traffic tourist areas may charge around ₹500 for a similar meal. Street vendors can be a budget-savvy option, where you can get a filling plate of local snack for just ₹30 to ₹100. (Perfect for late-night cravings!)
Payment customs here are quite straightforward. Cash dominates, but many places also accept digital payments via apps like UPI or phone wallets, which is super convenient. A tip isn't obligatory, but rounding up your bill is appreciated.
One local dining custom that stands out is the practice of sharing food. Friends and family often order several dishes to share, diving into a bit of everything. It's an invitation to connect and enjoy the meal together, which may come as a surprise if you're used to solitary dining habits.
A common mistake tourists make is dining too late. Many local spots close by 10:00 PM, so arriving after 9:00 PM might leave you with limited options, especially if you're craving traditional fare.
For peak hours, you'll want to avoid lunchtime in the densely populated Ernakulam area, where places fill quickly with office workers around 1:00 PM. Instead, visiting around 3:00 PM can allow for a more relaxed experience, often with fresh snacks still available from the day’s preparation.
As seasons shift, so does the menu. Monsoon brings about a surge in requests for spicy and comforting dishes, with prices potentially rising due to demand. Street vendors’ food prices can persistently revolve around what's in season, which can mean cheaper fares during bountiful harvests.
Lastly, don’t forget to understand transport links—Kochi's well-connected public transport makes it easy to navigate around dining districts, especially if you are trying to experience the diverse offerings from different neighborhoods.