The colourful extravaganza that coastal Karnataka in India unfolds before you is not just limited to its arts and heritage but also extends to a rich and varied culinary tradition. We discovered the wonders of coastal Karnataka cuisine during our six-day sojourn as part of the Women Bloggers travel program to Coastal Karnataka organized by India Tourism Bangalore, an arm of Incredible India under the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. Of India.
The coastal Karnataka cuisine is a mind-boggling array of cuisines that includes the best Mangalorean cuisine, Tulunadu cuisine, and not to forget the pure vegetarian cuisine of Udupi that is connected to the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha.
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Coastal Karnataka Cuisine – A Feast For The Senses
Coastal Karnataka offers food experiences that are sure to set the palates roaring with ecstasy. It is natural that geographical conditions ensure that seafood forms an important component of the coastal cuisine, but there is much more to Coastal Karnataka cuisine. Coastal Karnataka cuisine is studded with the likes of Uttara Karnataka cuisine, best Mangalorean cuisine, Karwar cuisine, and not to forget the famous cuisine of the temple town of Udupi which finds its echoes in distant parts of the country and the world.
Coastal Karnataka Cuisine – A Wonderful Legacy
It was an opportunity for an immersive experience of coastal Karnataka cuisine as we ate at some of the best and well-known eateries in the region. From the ubiquitous Neer Dosey to dollops of the famous icecream of Mangalore that invariably finds its place in the list of best Mangalorean food, the food of coastal Karnataka enthralled us throughout our culinary journey across coastal Karnataka.
Coastal Karnataka Cuisine – Shetty Lunch Home, Mangaluru | Best Mangalorean Food | Best Mangalorean Cuisine
The Shetty Lunch Home in Mangaluru is a legendary eatery that has been serving its dishes across four generations of satisfied customers. It is the place to head to for the best Mangalorean food in town.
It is indeed a haven for seafood lovers and non-vegetarians. Being vegetarians we did feel like a fish out of water, at the place, but the hospitality of the owners, the husband and wife team of Harish Shetty and Uma Shetty ensured that we had our plates full with tasty vegetarian fare. Mangalorean food need not be restricted to non-vegetarians only as there are plenty of options for vegetarians too.
Shetty Lunch Home owes its popularity and success to the secret recipes for its many signature dishes that have been handed down from generation to generation. The place is known for its Ghee Roast and the menu includes items like Chicken Ghee Roast, Anjal Tava Fry, Silver Rava Fry, Chicken Sukka, Kori Roti, Neer Dosey, etc. The Sea Food Thali of the restaurant is also much in demand.
Address:
Shetty Lunch Home
Hotel Usha,
Balmatta Road,
Hampankatta,
Mangalore
Karnataka 575001
Coastal Karnataka Cuisine – Thamboolam Restaurant, Udupi
Udupi, famous for the Krishna Mutt, is primarily associated with Udupi cuisine which consists of pure vegetarian fare. Udupi restaurants have made their mark in every corner of India.
But we had lunch at a restaurant which is known for Tulu Nadu cuisine, the Thamboola Restaurant in Udupi.
The Thamboolam Restaurant is a multi-cuisine restaurant with a special focus on Tulunadu and coastal cuisine. The restaurant had a lavish spread across different cuisines and included dishes like Soya Sukka which was a completely vegetarian dish but mimicked a chicken dish, there were Pundi and Moodi, different types of rice dumplings, and local fishes.
As a fitting finale and in keeping with its name, the meal ends with Thamboolam or Betel leaves which is the traditional Paan.
Address:
Thaamboolam Restaurant
Comfort Towers,
Opposite Kalpana Theatre,
Thenkpete, Maruthi Veethika,
Udupi
Karnataka 576101
Coastal Karnataka Cuisine – Fisherman’s Bay Beach Cafe, Malpe
Another place that served authentic coastal Karnataka cuisine was the Fisherman’s Bay Beach Cafe in Malpe. The restaurant nestles on the edge of Malpe Beach and captures the spirit of the sea and the beach.
One is served authentic coastal Karnataka cuisine on a banana leaf and as you prepare to dig into the food, the sea breeze gently fans you.
The restaurant serves Tulunadu and coastal Karnataka cuisine and is famous for live seafood, and local coastal food.
Address:
Fisherman’s Bay Beach Cafe
Near Gandhi Statue,
Kola, Malpe
Karnataka 576108
Coastal Karnataka Cuisine – Bacchus Inn, Manipal
Another restaurant in Manipal that is famous for seafood is Bacchus Inn. It is a nice place to head for dinner in a vibrant ambience. It is a multi-cuisine restaurant and offers many varieties of Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian dishes including starters and soups as well as the main course. It also has a good range of Chinese dishes.
After a sumptuous dinner, it was here that we feasted on the famous Gadbad Icecream that is so popular in these parts. The Gadbad icecream for the benefit of the uninitiated consists of three different flavours of ice cream served together with fruits, roasted cashew nuts, and jelly cubes.
Address:
Bacchus Inn,
Vidyaratna Nagar,
Manipal
Karnataka
Apart from these eateries we also enjoyed local Coastal Karnataka cuisine at the hotels where we stayed during the coastal Karnataka trip. These include Bhagavathi Nature Camp at Kudremukh, Devbagh Beach Resort in Karwar, Sai Vishram Beach Resort at Byndoor, Om Beach Resort in Gokarna, on White Pearl Cruise in Gokarna and Kali River Garden in Karwar.
We were on a 6-day Coastal Karnataka tour. The curation of the tour and logistics were managed by:
Poonam Shetty – MD, Dream Holidays, Manipal, Mobile: +91 9686574959, (0820) 4293039, Email: [email protected] and Roshan Pinto, R.R.Tours & Travels, Mobile: +91 98453 31926.
We hope you liked our post about Coastal Karnataka cuisine. Do let us know your thoughts through the comments section. To stay updated with our travel stories and experiences do subscribe to our blog and connect with us on our social media channels.
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We were hosted by India Tourism Bangalore – Ministry of Tourism Government of India. However, the views and opinions expressed here are our own.
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What an interesting experience, the food looks so good and tasty . I always love going to restaurants with great atmosphere and all of them looks so perfect !
Cuisines are such an integral part of the culture of a place. Exploring a place through its food is always a great experience. Coastal Karnataka cuisine is indeed a legacy and it was indeed great to know a lot about the dishes. I found the Fishemen’s bay quite interesting as it is beside the beach! Hope to explore these eateries soon.
I like food down South. I would like to try the Ghee Roast dishes. Gadbad Ice cream sounds like an unmissable. I love neer dosa also.
Thanks for sharing about all coastal ka cuisines and the details of these places. I will surely hop these places once I will visit the location. Mouth watering food with amazing locations.. 😀
Wow this is such a delicious post. I love the coastal Karnataka cuisine. I have a friend who is from Mangalore and she makes really delicious food from the coast. I especially love chicken ghee roast even though it is super spicy for me.
Mangalorean food generally has a different flavour as against the typical Karnataka cuisine, which is generally super sweet. You’ve hit all the right spots to explore these foods 🙂
I have heard such great reviews of Shetty Lunch home but haven’t got a chance to travel yet. I have to visit now as i am drooling looking at the pictures. And South Indian food is such yum.
Oh well, these options come from my hometown. While I haven’t explored more than 25% of the food scenes here, my parents have fond memories whether it’s chicken, fish, or mutton!
Each looks like a great dish Sandy and Vyjay. Me and my wife are fellow vegetarians; finding options in India has never been an issue 😉 We have slim-pickings here in rural Panama as we live in the middle of cattle country. Textured soy is one of a few options.
Ryan
How did you miss ideal icecream!! It’s a must try!
OMG, this is just so mouth watering. I am vegetarian but the pictures are so tempting. Coastal Karnataka has many delicacies to offer.
I had never get a chance to try coastal Karnataka cuisine in the past. and as you said, they had pretty good options for vegetarian foods too. would love to give it a try someday in future. thanks for sharing this wonderful list with us.
Been to karnataka, to Hubli. But wish we all could travel once things go well with us. Lovely post
Coastal Karnataka cuisine are indeed one of the most relished one. I have been to udupi and tried few but the places mentioned by looks authentic . Ido would love to visit them in my next trip.
The coastal cuisine of Karnataka is making me super hungry already . I cant wait to plan a visit soon these restaurants.. The entire non veg spread is looking yum
Yes, Karnataka is famous for seafood and non-veg foods. You were lucky to find a Shetty couple who took care of your taste and choice. I hope I, too, get Veg food varieties during my visit to Karnataka. And yes, I am drooling over this paan and gadbad ice creams.
Such a drool worthy post buddy, I loved this culinary escapade with you like always, your posts are so exhaustive and detailed. Deeply appreciate
I am glad to read that there are plenty of options for vegetarians too. Karnataka has been on our travel list since forever. I hope we can soon take a trip and enjoy all these delicacies.
Since I’m a vegetarian there are a lot of coastal food options I miss out on. The pics are droolworthy and I would love to try out Mangalorean vegetarian fare.
I just loved the yummy food you have shared. Seems like so much fun and a happening place to visit.
What a spectacular food journey, I like this distinctive fact about our country – after every mile, food, language, and water changes. The coastal cuisine is to die for, you have captured the essence so well.
Now this post really made me drool and want to eat these yummy food right away. I’ve not been to karnataka but relished sme of their yum food in udipi eaters in Mumbai.
Wow Sandy and Vijay the food and overall presentation of the food items are so tempting. Loved that they also have got good veg food in the coastal belt as even we are vegetarians and often struggle to get good veg food.
I am drooling right now and want to escape to costal Karnataka right away. The food looks so yum especially that of Shetty Lunch home.
I had never get a chance to try coastal Karnataka cuisine . I am drooling over this pan and icecream .I would love to give it a try someday in future.
This is a paradise for seafood lovers. Feels so happy to explore coastal Karnataka. And the food joints are all quite impressive.