Food & Shopping

Food & Shopping

Palakkad is not just about scenic landscapes and ancient forts — it’s a treasure trove of authentic Kerala cuisine, traditional sweets, fresh spices, and handwoven textiles. The blend of Kerala and Tamil Nadu culinary and cultural influences makes Palakkad a special place for foodies and shoppers alike.

 Must-Try Foods in Palakkad

1. Palakkadan Matta Rice Meals

• Served with sambar, rasam, avial, thoran (stir-fried veggies), pickles, and papadam.
• Often served on a banana leaf for a traditional feel.

 Best Places:
✅ Hotel Noorjahan, Palakkad Town
✅ KPS Restaurant, Sultanpet

 Tip: Ask for a vegetarian sadhya (feast) during festivals.

 2. Kappa & Meen Curry (Tapioca & Fish Curry)

• Soft-boiled tapioca served with spicy red fish curry, a true Kerala classic.
• Popular among locals for lunch and dinner.

 Best Places:
✅ Hotel Aryaas
✅ Malabar Mess near KSRTC Bus Stand

3. Banana Chips (Upperi)

• Crispy, golden banana slices fried in coconut oil – a Kerala signature snack.
• Made from Nendran bananas and available plain or spiced.

 Best Shops:
✅ Ramas Café, Opp. Town Bus Stand
✅ Sankaran Bakery, Kalpathy

 Tip: Buy freshly packed chips from local bakeries rather than tourist outlets.

 4. Elaneer Payasam (Tender Coconut Dessert)

• A light, creamy pudding made with tender coconut pulp and milk.
• Delicate, mildly sweet and cooling.

 Best Served At:
✅ Local Sadya (feast) meals
✅ Homemade in traditional stays or restaurants

 5. Nadan Chicken or Mutton Curry

• Cooked in coconut oil with pepper, curry leaves, and garam masala.
• Often paired with Malabar parotta or rice.

 Try At:
✅ Paragon Restaurant, Palakkad Junction
✅ New Arya Bhavan, near Fort Maidan

 6. Traditional Sweets:

• Aravana Payasam – Jaggery-rich, temple-style dessert
• Kesari, Laddu, and Unniyappam – Fried banana and rice sweets

 Get From:
✅ Sankaran Bakery
✅ Palakkad Mahalakshmi Sweets

 Shopping in Palakkad – What & Where to Buy

 1. Kasavu & Handloom Sarees (Palakkad Weaves)

• Elegant off-white sarees with golden borders, perfect for festivals and weddings.
• Look for cotton Kasavu with temple borders or colored weaves.

 Where to Buy:
✅ Hantex Showroom, Palakkad Town
✅ Kairali Handlooms, Sultanpet
✅ Local looms in Chittur and Kalpathy

 Tip: Ask for traditional handwoven varieties, not powerloom imitations.

 2. Kerala Brassware & Lamps

• Intricately crafted Nilavilakku (oil lamps), uruli (cooking vessel), and pooja accessories.
• Great for gifting or traditional decor.

 Where to Buy:
✅ Kairali Handicrafts, Opp. Town Railway Station
✅ Palakkad Bazaar (Big Bazaar Road)

 3. Spices, Pickles & Herbal Products

• Black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and forest honey from nearby hills.
• Famous for Garlic Pickle, Mango Pickle & Lemon Pickle.

 Where to Buy:
✅ Spice outlets near Malampuzha & Mannarkkad
✅ Government spice shops in town

 Tip: Buy whole spices for best quality and aroma.

 4. Ayurvedic Soaps & Oils (Local Brands)

• Find pure neem, turmeric, sandalwood soaps, and medicinal oils for hair and skin care.

 Best Shops:
✅ Arya Vaidya Sala Outlet, near Fort
✅ Kottakkal Ayurveda Centre, Palakkad

5. Snacks & Savouries

• Along with banana chips, try mixtures, coconut ladoos, achappam (rose cookies), and murukku.

 Where to Buy:
✅ Sankaran Bakery
✅ Nandini Bakery, near Stadium Bus Stand

 6. Local Handicrafts & Festival Souvenirs

• Pick up temple chariot miniatures, Kathakali fridge magnets, and hand-painted coconut shell items.

 Buy At:
✅ Kairali Emporium
✅ Street stalls during Kalpathy Ratholsavam

 Best Places for Shopping in Palakkad

 Food & Shopping Tips

✔️ Morning markets (especially on weekends) are vibrant for fresh local produce.
✔️ Bargain politely in small stalls, but fixed prices in branded outlets.
✔️ Buy snacks in vacuum-packed or sealed bags if carrying them for travel.
✔️ Visit Kalpathy or Chittur regions for a more local handloom shopping experience.

Palakkad offers a deeply rooted culinary and shopping experience, blending Kerala’s natural bounty with its cultural and craft heritage. From mouth-watering traditional dishes to handwoven sarees and aromatic spices, Palakkad lets you eat well and shop with heart.