Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping in Trivandrum

Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), the cultural capital of Kerala, offers a delicious fusion of tradition, spice, and shopping charm. From mouthwatering Kerala cuisine served on banana leaves to handmade souvenirs and silk sarees, this city gives you an authentic taste of Kerala's flavor and craft.

 Where & What to Eat in Trivandrum

Kerala’s culinary essence comes alive in Trivandrum. Expect a variety of dishes that are flavorful, coconut-rich, and often served with love on banana leaves. From street-side snacks to heritage restaurants, here’s what you must try:

 Must-Try Local Dishes

 Kerala Sadya

• A traditional vegetarian feast with rice, sambar, avial, thoran, pachadi, pappadam, and payasam
• Best experienced during lunch at heritage restaurants or on festival days

 Fish Curry Meals

• Served with steamed rice, tangy red fish curry, and seasonal sides
• Signature coastal dish using tamarind, coconut, and mustard seeds

 Appam with Stew

• Soft hoppers paired with vegetable or chicken stew in coconut milk

 Prawns Roast / Meen Pollichathu

• Spiced seafood dishes wrapped in banana leaf and roasted to perfection

 Parotta with Beef Fry

• Kerala’s iconic combo: flaky layered flatbread + spicy, crispy beef

 Palada Payasam / Ada Pradhaman

• Traditional desserts made with rice flakes, milk, jaggery, and ghee

 Best Places to Eat

 Ariya Nivaas (Opp. Railway Station)

✔️ Famous for: Veg Sadya, dosa, appam
✔️ Traditional meals at budget prices

 Mothers Veg Plaza (Bakery Junction)

✔️ Offers elaborate Sadya on banana leaves
✔️ Authentic South Indian vegetarian experience

 Villa Maya (Airport Road)

✔️ Fine dining in a 17th-century Dutch villa
✔️ Fusion Kerala cuisine & romantic ambience

 Paragon Restaurant (Kowdiar)

✔️ Coastal Malabar dishes, biryani, seafood
✔️ Elegant setting with consistent quality

 Indian Coffee House (Multiple branches)

✔️ Iconic chain with retro charm & filter coffee
✔️ Try their masala dosa, cutlets, and omelettes

 Where & What to Shop in Trivandrum

Trivandrum is a treasure trove of handicrafts, textiles, traditional art, and spices. Whether you're shopping for souvenirs, home décor, or ethnic fashion, the city offers authentic Kerala craftsmanship at reasonable prices.

 Best Things to Buy

 Kasavu Sarees & Mundu

• Traditional Kerala attire in off-white with gold borders
• Elegant and symbolic of Kerala's festive identity

 Wooden Handicrafts & Nettur Petti

• Traditional carved boxes and idols made of rosewood and sandalwood

 Aroma Oils & Ayurvedic Products

• Herbal oils, soaps, and powders used for wellness and skincare
• Buy from authentic Ayurvedic centers or state-run shops

 Kerala Spices

• Cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg—fresh and aromatic

 Coir Products & Mats

• Durable and eco-friendly items like bags, mats, and wall hangings

 Paintings & Kathakali Masks

• Handmade souvenirs that reflect Kerala’s cultural art forms

 Best Places to Shop

 Chalai Bazaar

 Near East Fort

• One of the oldest and busiest markets in Kerala
• Shop for spices, fabrics, utensils, electronics, jewelry
• A vibrant experience of local life

 Tip: Bargain politely; it’s part of the fun!

 SMSM Handicrafts Emporium

 YMCA Road

• Government-run outlet for authentic Kerala crafts
• Fair prices and wide variety of handlooms, coir, metal crafts, and souvenirs

 Pothys / Jayalakshmi / Seematti

 MG Road & Pattom

• High-end textile stores with silk sarees, lehengas, churidars, and kidswear
• Great for wedding shopping and gifts

 Kairali Ayurvedic Products (Govt. Outlet)

 MG Road, Chalai

• Authentic Kerala Ayurveda oils, balms, and skincare
• Certified and widely trusted by locals

 Spice Shops (Near Chalai & Connemara Market)

• Buy fresh, local spices packed for travel
• Ask for custom spice mixes (garam masala, sambar podi)

 Shopping Tips

✔️ Carry cash and UPI apps—most stores accept both
✔️ Visit early morning or late evening to avoid crowds
✔️ Avoid plastic bags—carry a reusable tote
✔️ Ask for bill & authenticity when buying wood or Ayurvedic items
✔️ If buying clothes, ask for falling and stitching services at saree shops

Trivandrum serves both your appetite and aesthetic. While you savor the spices of Kerala on your plate, the markets fill your bags with stories woven into sarees, sculpted into wood, and sealed in spice jars. It’s not just shopping or dining—it’s a complete cultural immersion.

In Trivandrum, every bite is a memory, and every shop is a story.