A holiday without great food doesn’t feel much like a holiday at all. If you agree with us on this one, your next escape to Kodaikanal has all the makings of a great holiday. The tourist hotspot has, in the recent years, turned into a foodie’s paradise offering budget-friendly eats from all parts of the world {with a healthy dose of Indian spices of course}. LBB shares its recommendations for your next holiday in the hills.
LBB’s Loving
Cloud Street
Reader’s Vote
Pastry Shop
Many boldly declare that this is by far the best place to eat in Kodaikanal. The simple, largely-Italian menu brims over with tried-and-tested flavour combinations that simply can’t go wrong. Start your day off here with their cheesy toasted sandwiches that come loaded with mushrooms, chicken, bacon, sausages, and ham {choose the filling you want}. We love the pesto and tomato version {the flavourful, creamy pesto is one of the best we’ve had}. For lunch, there are wood-fired pizzas and pastas that come layered with all kinds of decadence. Don’t go away without trying their rich brownies and their Apple Crumble, at the end of your meal.
Where: 1st Floor, Opposite Govt. Tourist Office, PT Road, Sunday Market Road, Kodaikanal
Price: INR 800 for two {approx.}
Contact: 4542 246425
Timings: 9am-11pm, noon-9pm
Check out their website here.
Over the years, Tibetan restaurants have mushroomed all over Kodai {the cuisine is after all a perfect match for the weather}. Among them, we pick Royal Tibet as our favourite. The tiny establishment serves up big mounds of food at wallet-friendly prices. Their egg noodles paired with the tongue-tickling garlic or chilli chicken is a true winner. The roast chicken, momos, and thukpa all have plenty of takers. And whatever be your order, we recommend that you add a generous dose of that hot, garlic sauce that sits on the table, to your dish.
Where: Poet Tyagaraja Road, Kodaikanal
Price: INR 300 for two {approx.}
Contact: N.A.
Timings: noon-3.30pm, 7.30pm-11pm
Sitting right next to the Royal Tibet, this cosy, coffee shop exudes warmth with its wood-paneled interiors. Coffee addicts are surely in for a treat here! You can sip on delicious cups of coffee that are grown by a Coorgi at a farm nearby. If you are feeling peckish, then, the Belgian waffles, the large chunks of carrot cake, and their sandwiches stuffed with locally-produced cheese should do you good.
Where: 3, 1st Floor, J’s Heritage Complex, Poet Tyagaraja Road, Kodaikanal
Price: INR 300 for two {approx.}
Contact: 04542 241083
Timings: 11am-6pm
Find them on Facebook here.
One of the spiffier properties in the hill station, the Carlton is where you need to go for a sundowner. We recommend that you get there in time to watch the sunset and order up a warm whiskey or tea to watch the sun set on the shimmering lake below. Once you are done, you can head straight for the bar or hit their buffet. Perfect for a date night out on town!
Where: Lake Road, Kodaikanal
Price: INR 2,000 for two {approx.}
Contact: 04542 248555
Timings: noon-11pm
A Kodaikanal institution, Pastry Corner’s affordable range of cakes, ice creams, snacks, and sweet treats has garnered loyal fans. Which is why, you might find that many of their offerings have sold out before you get to make your pick. If you are not in the mood to squeeze into the handful of benches that can be found around the bakery, you can pack up packets filled with muffins, vegetarian sandwiches, rum balls, croissants, and cakes {their pear cake and their Black Forest one is very popular}. They also make a killer filter coffee!
Where: Annasalai, Maratta Complex , Next to Astoria Veg restaurant, Kodaikanal
Price: INR 200 for two {approx.}
Contact: 04542 240485
Timings: 9am-9pm
