Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is a famous coastal region in the southern provinces of India. Home to the largest IT park in the country and diverse in culture, Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, is a famous tourist destination in the ‘God’s Own Country.’ While there is an abundance of natural beauty all around, the city also reflects its cultural diversity and richness through its delicious cuisines.
With the use of a wide array of fresh ingredients, the foods and cuisines of Thiruvananthapuram are divine. As you visit the region during festivals like Onam, you get to enjoy not just the rich culture of the place but also the immense diversity in its flavourful cuisines. From scrumptious beef fry to the exotic fish molee, the staple Idli and Dosa, and so more, there is an amazing blend of delicious cuisines from all around.
What are the Best Cuisines of Thiruvananthapuram?
There is no denying the fact that locals and tourists alike, go gaga over the richness of flavours and cuisines offered in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Taking its inspiration from the classic fusion of Arabian, French, and Malabari influences and enriched with a hint of the unique culture of Kerala, every dish in the region is an entirely wholesome experience, making you ask for more!
Right from the grandeur of the popular vegetarian spreads like Sadya to the scrumptious range of non-veg dishes prepared with lamb, seafood, and beef, to even savoury and sweet delicacies, the cuisines of Thiruvananthapuram will take you through an enjoyable ride.
Swiggy unfolds a list of best restaurants based on users rating to try out the best cuisines of Thiruvananthapuram. Here is our suggestion of the best cuisines to try out in Trivandrum:
1. Kerala Cuisine
Kerala cuisine is a famous culinary depiction with its origins in the state of Kerala. The cuisine features an interesting amalgamation of both veg as well as non-veg delicacies prepared with the help of ingredients like poultry, fish, and red meat along with rice as the staple accompaniment. In the preparation of a typical Kerala dish, some more ingredients that are used are curry leaves, chillies, coconut, tamarind, mustard seeds, asafoetida, turmeric, and several other spices.
Along with diverse cultural influences and historical diversity, the major introduction of different religions and ethnicities have also added unique culinary styles and dishes to a typical Kerala cuisine, particularly non-veg dishes. One of the most popular dishes under the spectrum of Kerala cuisine is the vegetarian dish named Sadya. This full-fledged meal features rice with as many as 20 other accompaniments as well as desserts. It is a famous festive meal of Thiruvananthapuram that is served on a plantain leaf.
Some of the famous restaurants in Thiruvananthapuram to try out the famous Kerala cuisine are The Grill, Lunchbox, The Hawkers World, and so more.
2. Mappila Cuisine
It is also renowned as the classic Muslim cuisine of Thiruvananthapuram. It is a flavourful blend of Persian, Kerala, Western, and Portuguese food culture. The combination of culinary delicacies is best observed in the preparation of its significant dishes. Some of the famous specialities of this cuisine are Pathir (a type of rice-based pancake), irachi puttu (implying a meat-based dish), and Kallummakkaya (curry prepared with mussels).
The use of different spices is the characteristic of a typical Mappila cuisine in Thiruvananthapuram. You can also one of the famous snacks of the cuisine, Unnakkaya (boiled and deep-fried ripe banana with a mixture of sugar, raisins, and cashews). When in Thiruvananthapuram, you can try out these famous snacks and dishes across famous restaurants like Steampot Restaurant, Zam Zam Dosa Hut, Le Lumiere Arabic, and so more.
3. Nasrani Cuisine
This cuisine in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) belongs to the Christians of the region. Christians have their unique cuisine featuring a blend of Western, Jewish, Syrian, Middle Eastern, and Indian culinary styles.
One of the favourite dishes amongst Christians in Thiruvananthapuram is Ishtu or mappas. For preparing this dish, beef or chicken along with onions, green peas, carrots, and potatoes, are simmered gradually in coconut milk flavoured with cinnamon, green chillies, cloves, mint, coriander, black pepper, shallots, and lime juice. Some of the famous ceremonial dishes in the category of Latin Christian cuisines feature stew and bread served with wine and cake followed by a rich meal with pork, cutlets, fish, and mustard. Some of the best restaurants in Thiruvananthapuram to try out these dishes are Kappa Stories, Le Lumiere, Vazhayila Nadan Foods, and so more.
Thiruvananthapuram Cuisine: A Melting Point
In addition to rich agricultural plots and sprawling backwaters, the city is also famous for its mouthwatering dishes. The rich cuisine of Thiruvananthapuram is renowned for its generous use of coconut, spices, and veggies exclusively grown in the area. The variety of intense flavours in the cuisines of Thiruvananthapuram range from sweet to mellow and spicy.
Widely cultivated across the state, rice tends to dominate the culinary practice of the city and its surrounding regions. Some of the most popular breakfast dishes like Iddiyappam and Idli are prepared with the help of rice flour. Dinner and lunch meals also feature rich to a greater extent. Coconut is also a primary ingredient of the local cuisine. You will not receive a single dish without a touch of coconut in it. From coconut milk to shredded coconut, this staple ingredient is utilised in different forms while offering the local cuisine a distinctive flavour.
Additionally, the proximity of the city of Thiruvananthapuram to the sea has not only promoted trade, but also the profitable fishing industry. Therefore, it is common to find fresh fish in abundance in the region. The prominence of fish in Thiruvananthapuram cuisines and dishes is depicted in multiple ways, especially in spicy, tangy curries or just fried in coconut oil.
Conclusion
You can relish the divine flavours of the local cuisine of Thiruvananthapuram by either visiting or ordering from the best restaurants of Thiruvananthapuram. Enjoy the delicate, rich flavours of the region as you order food online in Thiruvananthapuram.
