Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping

Pathanamthitta offers a true taste of Kerala’s spiritual soul and rural simplicity—and that extends to its food and markets too. While the town may not have flashy malls or fine dining spots, it is rich in authentic Kerala cuisine, traditional sweets, local handicrafts, and handmade spiritual souvenirs that reflect its cultural roots.

Here’s your guide to the best local dishes to try and what to shop for in Pathanamthitta:

 Must-Try Food in Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta’s food scene is deeply connected to temple traditions, home-style cooking, and spice-rich flavors. You’ll find both vegetarian temple-style meals and non-veg delicacies popular among locals.

✅ Top Dishes to Try

 Kerala Sadya (Traditional Vegetarian Feast)

• Served on a banana leaf with rice, sambar, avial, thoran, olan, pappadam, banana chips, and payasam
• Found during temple festivals or at local vegetarian hotels

 Kappa & Meen Curry (Tapioca with Fish Curry)

• Spicy, tangy red fish curry paired with boiled tapioca—a Kerala classic

 Chemmeen Ularthiyathu (Prawn Roast)

• Prawns cooked dry with shallots, coconut bits, and curry leaves

 Nadan Kozhi Curry (Country Chicken Curry)

• Traditional spicy chicken curry with coconut milk and black pepper

 Ethakka Appam (Banana Fritters)

• Sliced ripe bananas dipped in batter and deep-fried—perfect tea-time snack

 Palada Pradhaman / Payasam

• Creamy dessert made of rice flakes, jaggery, and coconut milk

 Porotta with Beef Fry

• Popular in Kerala towns—a must for meat lovers

 Where to Eat in Pathanamthitta

 Hotel Ariya Bhavan

 Pathanamthitta Town
✔️ Great for vegetarian meals and breakfast items like dosa, appam, and puttu

 Hotel Chakrassery

 Near Pathanamthitta Bus Stand
✔️ Offers both veg and non-veg meals, known for Kerala-style fish curry

 Vismaya Restaurant

 Thiruvalla–Pathanamthitta Road
✔️ Loved for Nadan (traditional) chicken, parotta, and beef roast

 Local Tea Shops & Bakeries

✔️ Don’t miss out on banana fritters, sukhiyan (sweet green gram balls), or cutlets with hot chai

 Tip: Most eateries are small and simple—go where the locals go for the freshest, tastiest meals.

 What to Shop for in Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta’s markets are filled with spiritual souvenirs, artisan goods, Ayurvedic products, and local treats. It’s the perfect place to buy meaningful, handmade items.

 Best Things to Buy

 Aranmula Kannadi (Metal Mirror)

• A heritage handcrafted mirror, unique to Aranmula
• Made without glass—symbol of tradition and good luck

 Temple Prasadam & Religious Items

• Palpayasam, sandalwood paste, kumkum, rudraksha beads, and idols
• Found at temples like Sabarimala, Malayalapuzha, and Aranmula

 Ayurveda Products

• Herbal oils (Kashayam, Chyavanprash, Bala Thailam), balms, soaps
• Sold at Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala or local Ayurvedic pharmacies

 Kasavu Dhotis and Sarees

• Traditional white-gold Kerala attire, ideal for temple visits and festivals
• Available at local textile shops in Pathanamthitta town

 Banana Chips & Jackfruit Chips

• Freshly fried snacks made with coconut oil
• Great souvenirs for foodies

 Spices

• Black pepper, cardamom, cloves, and dry ginger sourced from nearby hill regions

 Where to Shop

 Pathanamthitta Market (Central Town Bazaar)

✔️ Great for spices, fresh snacks, clothes, and religious items
✔️ Buzzing atmosphere, especially in the mornings

 Aranmula Heritage Craft Shops

 Aranmula Village
✔️ Buy genuine Aranmula Kannadi directly from certified artisan families

 Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala

 Multiple outlets in town
✔️ Trusted source for authentic Ayurvedic medicines and wellness items

 Local Textile Stores

 Near Main Bus Stand
✔️ Buy kasavu sarees, mundus, lungis, and cotton wear

 Shopping Tips

✔️ Bargaining is common in local markets, not in branded or government stores
✔️ Always check for authenticity when buying Aranmula mirrors or Ayurvedic products
✔️ Carry cash and UPI apps—many shops accept both
✔️ Don’t forget to ask for proper packaging if you're carrying food items or oils home

✅ Top Picks at a Glance

Pathanamthitta offers a shopping and dining experience that’s deeply grounded in culture, tradition, and authenticity. Whether you’re tasting spicy fish curry on a plantain leaf or buying a handmade mirror that reflects generations of heritage, every moment here feels rich, humble, and heartwarming.

Pathanamthitta – Where every meal is a blessing, and every buy is a story.