Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping

Kannur is a hidden gem for foodies and shoppers alike. From spiced Malabar biryanis to crispy banana chips, from handwoven cottons to ritual masks and souvenirs, this North Malabar town offers a deeply local and authentic shopping + food experience you won’t forget.

 Must-Try Food in Kannur

 1. Malabar Biryani (Thalassery Style)

✅ Aromatic rice dish made with kaima rice, tender meat, mild spices, and ghee
✅ Signature of Kannur’s Muslim-Malayali cuisine

 Where to Eat:

• MVK Restaurant, Kannur
• Sahib’s Grill Kitchen
• Cabane Bambou, Thalassery
• Paris Restaurant, Kannur Town

 Tip: Pair it with Sulaimani (spiced black tea) — a classic local combo.

 2. Malabar Snacks & Evening Bites

✅ Made fresh in local bakeries and roadside stalls — perfect for tea time or late-night cravings

 Must-Try Items:

• Unnakkaya – mashed banana stuffed with coconut & jaggery
• Kozhi Ada – crisp crescent pastry with spicy chicken filling
• Pathiri – soft rice pancakes, sometimes stuffed
• Chatti Pathiri – layered pastry, sweet or spicy
• Pazham Nirachathu – banana stuffed with coconut, sugar, and nuts

 Best Spots:

• Bake House, Kannur
• MRA Bakery & Restaurant
• Local thattukadas (food shacks) in Payyambalam & Thalassery

 3. Seafood Delights

✅ With its long coastline, Kannur offers super-fresh fish curries, mussel fries, and prawn roast

 Best Places:

• Odhens Hotel – known for fish meals & crab roast
• Raandhal Restaurant, Payyambalam
• Sea Breeze, near Muzhappilangad Beach

 Tip: Try Karimeen Pollichathu or Kallummakkaya (mussels) for an unforgettable taste.

 4. Sulaimani & Kerala Chaya

✅ No meal in Kannur is complete without a steaming glass of Sulaimani (spiced black tea with lime) or milk tea

 Try at:

• Local tea stalls at SM Road, Fort Road, or Thavakkara
• Hotel BR Cafe, Jaya Bakery, or any busy tea kada in town

 What to Shop in Kannur

 1. Handloom Cotton & Traditional Wear

✅ Kannur is famous for its handloom weaving industry
✅ Buy high-quality cotton sarees, Kerala mundu, lungis, bedsheets, towels, and ethnic wear

 Where to Shop:

• Handloom co-operatives in Chirakkal, Azhikode, Kalliasseri
• Kerala State Handloom Development Corp. Showrooms
• Thalassery Weaves (special showroom)

 Tip: Authentic handlooms feel soft but dense; ask for Chenkettu (traditional borders).

 2. Banana Chips, Halwa & Local Snacks

✅ Freshly fried in coconut oil, packed with crunch and flavor

 Best Stores:

• Ariyil Chips, Fort Road
• KVR Chips, SM Road
• Thalassery Bakery & Sweets

✅ Also try:

• Black halwa, pineapple halwa, jackfruit chips, and kozhalappam

 Tip: Ask for banana leaf wrapping for a more authentic (and aromatic) pack!

 3. Spices & Dry Fish

✅ North Kerala markets sell local pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and dry fish like anchovies and prawns

 Markets to Explore:

• Valapattanam Fish Market
• Kannur Central Market
• Thalassery Bazaar

 Tip: Buy vacuum-packed dry fish and whole spices for better shelf life.

 4. Theyyam Souvenirs & Local Handicrafts

✅ Take home miniature Theyyam masks, mural art, brass lamps, or wood carvings

 Where to Buy:

• Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan, Fort Road
• Sargaalaya Craft Village (day trip near Vadakara)
• Local artisans near Chirakkal and Parassinikadavu

 Tip: Shop during Theyyam season (Oct–May) for seasonal festival items and crafts.

 5. Ayurvedic Products & Herbal Oils

✅ Kannur has Ayurvedic shops selling herbal hair oils, balms, immunity boosters, and skin care items

 Try:

• Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala Branch
• Green Remedies, Fort Road
• Local ayurvedic medical stores

 Top Shopping Areas in Kannur

 Quick Foodie Trail Idea

Kannur's cuisine and craft scene are as vibrant as its culture — every bite tells a story, every fabric has a history. Whether you're savoring biryani by the sea, sipping spiced tea at sunset, or picking up a handloom saree straight from the weaver, the experience is honest, local, and unforgettable.