Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping

Kollam (Quilon) is a paradise for foodies and cultural shoppers alike. This coastal gem in Kerala offers a delicious mix of seafood, traditional snacks, and rich curries, along with a variety of locally crafted products, from cashew nuts to coir items. Whether you're exploring the backwaters or the bustling markets, taste and tradition go hand-in-hand in Kollam.

 Local Food in Kollam – What to Eat

Kollam’s cuisine is a celebration of Kerala’s spices, coconut-rich gravies, and coastal flavors. Expect generous servings of rice, curry, seafood, and banana leaf meals.

✅ Must-Try Dishes in Kollam

 Kerala Sadya

• A traditional vegetarian feast served on banana leaves
• Includes rice, sambar, avial, thoran, pachadi, pappadam, and payasam
• Best enjoyed during lunch at local restaurants or during festivals

 Karimeen Pollichathu

• Pearl spot fish marinated in spices, wrapped in banana leaf, and grilled
• Kollam’s signature seafood delicacy

 Fish Curry Meals

• Red fish curry with tamarind and coconut, served with hot rice
• Accompanied by seasonal veggie sides and chutneys

 Prawns Roast / Chemmeen Curry

• Succulent prawns sautéed in a spiced coconut gravy

 Appam with Stew

• Soft rice hoppers paired with mild, creamy vegetable or chicken stew

 Banana Chips & Sharkkara Varatti

• Crunchy banana slices (salted or sweetened with jaggery) fried in coconut oil
• Famous Kerala snack, perfect for gifting

 Roasted Cashew Nuts

• Kollam is the cashew capital of India—try spiced, salted, or honey-roasted varieties

 Where to Eat in Kollam

 Ramees Restaurant (Downtown Kollam)

✔️ Multi-cuisine spot famous for Kerala, Arabic & grilled dishes
✔️ Known for seafood platters, parottas, and desserts

 Wok & Grill (RP Mall)

✔️ Great for casual dining, Kerala thali, biryanis, and fusion meals

 All Spice Restaurant (Chinnakada)

✔️ Authentic Kerala dishes in a clean setting
✔️ Try their fish curry meals and tapioca with beef

 Indian Coffee House (Multiple locations)

✔️ Old-school charm, iconic filter coffee, masala dosa, and cutlets
✔️ Great for budget-friendly breakfasts or tea breaks

 Shopping in Kollam – What & Where to Buy

Kollam’s markets and street shops are filled with locally made, natural, and culturally rooted products. It’s a great place to buy handcrafted goods, Ayurvedic items, and edible souvenirs.

 Best Things to Buy in Kollam

 Cashew Nuts

• The city’s specialty!
• Try salted, roasted, spiced, or honey-flavored
• Available at factories, shops, and even street vendors

 Spices & Ayurveda Products

• Black pepper, cardamom, cloves, turmeric
• Herbal oils, soaps, and skincare items made from native herbs

 Coir Products

• Eco-friendly mats, bags, baskets, and rugs made from coconut fiber

 Handloom Textiles & Kerala Sarees (Kasavu)

• Traditional off-white sarees with golden borders
• Also available: dhotis (mundus), lungis, and cotton fabrics

 Temple Brassware & Souvenirs

• Small lamps, idols, and bells crafted by local artisans

 Banana Chips & Local Snacks

• Available freshly fried from local stalls
• Packed in vacuum-sealed bags for travel

 Best Places to Shop in Kollam

 Chinnakada Market

 City center (main junction)

• Bustling hub for cashew, spices, textiles, and groceries
• Great for street-side snacks and quick shopping

 RP Mall / Bishop Jerome Mall

 Downtown Kollam

• For branded clothes, accessories, cafes, and electronics

 Kavanad Market

 Near coastal road

• Local market for fish, coir goods, and Kerala kitchen essentials

 Government Ayurveda Outlets (Kairali)

 Available across the city

• Buy authentic Ayurveda products, oils, and herbal remedies
• Trusted by locals for wellness needs

 Shopping Tips

✔️ Carry cash and UPI apps—most small shops accept both
✔️ Bargaining is acceptable in street markets—do it politely
✔️ Always check expiry dates on packaged food and Ayurveda products
✔️ For textiles and brass items, ask for local vs. machine-made options

 Top Picks for Food & Shopping in Kollam

In Kollam, shopping feels like storytelling, and food tastes like tradition. Whether you’re tasting fresh cashews or buying a handwoven saree, every experience brings you closer to Kerala’s soulful simplicity and rich heritage.

Come hungry, leave happy—with bags full of flavor, and memories woven in every thread.