Bangalore loves Coorg for plenty of reasons. There are the serene hills, endless plantations, and, of course, there’s the food. The next time you are in Madikeri, Coorg’s bustling heartland, make the most of your holiday by gorging on the city’s best culinary offerings. There’s plenty of Pandi Curry, Akki Roti, and coffee to be had, people!
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Tiger Tiger
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Coorg Cuisine
Close to Madikeri Fort, this one is a crowd favourite. They serve homely Kodava treats in a no-frills ambience. Their Pandi Curry is legendary and is a must-try here. For the vegetarians, the bamboo shoot curry checks all the right boxes. You can pair these up with light Akki Rotis {rice rotis} or plates of ghee rice. Finish up with their jaggery coffee. Prices here are budget friendly and since it’s popular you may have to put in a wait during peak business hours.
Another hole-in-the-wall place that’s near the Madikeri Fort, Taste of Coorg dishes out the region’s delicacies. The pork dishes top the bestsellers’ list here. You can try the chilli version or pick the traditional curry version. You are unlikely to be disappointed with either. Their chicken curry pairs well with the soft Kadambuttu {rice balls} or plates of Neer Dosa {rice pancakes}. Their ice-cream desserts are worth a try too.
One of the spiffier restaurants around, Raintree is housed at a gorgeous bungalow. While they do deliver local delicacies with competence, their menu is largely pan-Indian and worth a try. Their Appams and Stew have always been a hit with customers. So is their Tandoori Chicken. Don’t leave without trying their excellent Tender Coconut Payasam.
A short walk from Raja’s Seat, Tiger Tiger is a cosy, family-run restaurant. Their combos are truly worth your money. Your plate of food comes with the usual traditional dishes — Pandi Curry, Kadambuttu, and Ghee Rice. If you are travelling to Coorg in summer, do try their exceptional wild mango curry. The warm service earns them additional brownie points.
Drive out to the mist-covered hills around Madikeri to the luxurious Taj property for a decadent meal. While the hotel has many restaurants, we recommend you to try the one that specialises in Coorg cuisine — Nellaki. They serve up traditional dishes made with ingredients inherent to the local cuisine but rarely seen at run-of-the-mill restaurants. You can gorge on dishes made from jackfruit, tender ferns, colocasia yam, and horse gram. Of course, all-time favourites like Pandi Curry and Kadambuttu are also available.
This restaurant is perfect for when you want variety in cuisine. You can lap up local treats as well as Indian and Chinese food. The parathas, Akki Roti, Pandi Curry are all worthy choices here. Their value-for-money buffet has many takers. And the attentive service also gets a thumbs-up.
You can’t leave Coorg without tasting its exceptional coffee. Close to the Madikeri market, this coffee house will fill you up with delicious mugs of caffeine. You can stick to tumblers of traditional South Indian coffee or sip on Cappuccinos and Lattes. Pair these with their pizzas and you’ll be happy. They also have a counter from where you can buy coffee blends and fresh honey.
