Kerala's Culinary Culture Named Among World's Best Travel Experiences For 2026

Kerala cuisine has won global recognition as a distinctly thrilling experience for travellers around the world. Lonely Planet, the reputed global travel guide, recently released its list of the "25 Best Experiences In 2026." Curated by its acclaimed team of experts, the list is meant as inspiration for the year ahead. Only one of the entries is related to India: digging into Kerala's culinary culture. Cradled between the Arabian Sea and the lush Western Ghats, Kerala has long been a crossroads of trade, culture, and flavour. For centuries, Arab, Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences mingled here with native traditions, creating a remarkably diverse cuisine.

The guide noted, "A food-focused journey through this unhurried southwest pocket of India not only reveals the sizzling secrets and traditional roots of its kitchens but also spotlights an intriguing history in which locally grown spices - pepper, cardamom, turmeric - have always played a key role. Even within Kerala, cuisine varies enormously, from the rich Mappila cooking of the northern Malabar region to the south coast's coconut-laden stews mopped up with fluffy appam (rice pancake)."

Also Read: Punjab Named 7th "Best Food Region" In World, Other Indian States Also On List

Lonely Planet's selection is an affirmation of what locals have long known: this southern Indian state offers a sensory voyage unlike any other. From the scent of coconut oil sizzling in roadside stalls to elaborate feasts served on banana leaves, Kerala's food scene has something to offer every traveller. Find out more below:

Historical Influences That Shaped Kerala Cuisine

Kochi is one of the main cultural hubs in Kerala. Photo Credit: Unsplash

Kerala's culinary legacy is inseparable from its role in the ancient spice trade. Pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves were some of the coveted spices that drew merchants from Arabia and Europe. They continue to form the backbone of its cooking. The Malabar Coast gave rise to trade links that brought new ingredients and techniques to local kitchens. Arab traders introduced biryanis and breads, the Portuguese popularised ingredients like cashews and vinegar, and the British influence added bakery traditions that still thrive in Kerala's towns. Yet, through all these layers of change, the heart of Kerala cuisine has remained anchored in local produce: fresh seafood, coconut, rice, and a delicious variety of vegetables.

Different Regional Cuisines Within The State

Kerala's diverse terrain influences its food offerings. Photo Credit: Unsplash

Kerala's food changes as dramatically as its landscape. In the northern Malabar region, dishes are rich and robust - think Malabar biryani infused with ghee and fragrant with spices. Coastal towns like Kozhikode and Kannur are famed for their seafood delicacies. Central Kerala, particularly around Kochi and Kottayam, showcases the Christian culinary heritage with signature dishes like ishtu (a creamy stew of vegetables or meat cooked in coconut milk), appam (fermented rice pancakes), and festive duck roast. In contrast, the southern Travancore region, influenced by Tamil and Syrian Christian traditions, brings in fiery flavours and elaborate vegetarian feasts. The most famous is the sadya, a banquet served on a banana leaf with numerous preparations ranging from avial and olan to sambar, thoran, and sweet payasam. Coconut finds its way into almost every dish (grated, ground, or as oil), giving the food its signature richness.

Coconut is used in many dishes in Kerala. Photo Credit: Unsplash

How Food Offers Cultural Experiences In Kerala

Eating in Kerala is also about ritual and connection. The Onam sadya (a harvest feast celebrating abundance) is served on banana leaves, starting with a pinch of salt and ending with jaggery-laced payasam. In the backwaters, toddy shops serve fiery kappa and meen curry (tapioca with spicy fish curry), while in hill towns like Munnar, you'll find hearty stews and local tea. Food is also deeply tied to faith and festival: each community, from Hindus and Christians to Muslims, has distinct culinary signatures that add to Kerala's collective table. For travellers, every meal becomes a form of exploration, whether at a family-run thattukada (street food joint) or a plush coastal restaurant.

Also Read: Kerala's Munnar Joins Elite List Of Asia's Best Rural Escapes 2025: Report

12 Iconic Kerala Food Pairings You Must Try:

1. Appam with Stew

Soft, lacy-edged appams are popularly enjoyed with a mild, creamy stew made from vegetables, chicken, or mutton simmered in coconut milk. The balance of the fluffy appams and subtly spiced curry makes this one of Kerala's most comforting combinations.

2. Puttu with Kadala Curry

A breakfast staple for many in the state, puttu (steamed cylinders of ground rice layered with coconut) pairs perfectly with kadala curry, a hearty black chickpea dish cooked in a base of roasted spices and coconut.

3. Idiyappam with Egg Curry

Also known as string hoppers, idiyappams are delicate nests of steamed rice noodles that soak up the rich, spiced sauce of curries. A common choice is a traditional Kerala egg curry. It's a simple, nourishing meal you are sure to love.

4. Malabar Parotta with Kurma

The flaky, layered Malabar parotta is golden and crisp on the outside, and soft on the inside. It can be eaten with a wide variety of dishes. We recommend starting with a coconut-based kurma, whether made with vegetables, chicken, or mutton.

5. Parotta with Roast or Fry Dishes

Another much-loved combination is parotta with semi-dry roasts, including favourites like pepper chicken, mutton fry, spicy prawn roast, etc. These bold, flavour-packed dishes capture the robust character of Kerala's coastal cuisine.

6. Appam with Nadan Kozhi or Parippu Curry

You can also savour appam with nadan kozhi curry, a rustic chicken preparation rich in coconut and red chilli. For a vegetarian pairing, opt for parippu curry, a humble lentil dish that's deeply satisfying.

7. Pathiri with Spiced Curries

Hailing from the Malabar region, pathiri are thin rice flatbreads that are light yet filling. They're typically enjoyed with chicken, mutton, or fish curries, allowing their richness to shine.

8. Ghee Rice with Meen Moilee

Fragrant ghee rice, studded with roasted cashews and raisins, pairs beautifully with meen moilee (a mild fish curry cooked in coconut milk and turmeric). It's a combo you will crave again and again!

9. Kerala Rice with Sambar and Vegetable Sides

A traditional vegetarian spread often centres around red Kerala rice, served with sambar and an array of sides like avial, thoran, erissery, and pachadi. Each component brings its own textures and flavours.

10. Kappa with Meen Curry

One of Kerala's most iconic pairings, kappa (tapioca) is boiled, mashed, and seasoned before being served with fiery meen curry, which consists of fish cooked in a tangy tamarind gravy. It's a unique dish you need to seek out.

11. Thattu Dosa with Chutneys

Kerala's street-side thattukadas (food stalls) serve thick, spongy thattu dosa with a variety of chutneys, from classic coconut to fiery ginger or red chilli versions. It's quick, satisfying, and full of local flavour.

12. Pazham Pori with Tea

No trip to Kerala is complete without the beloved tea-time snack of pazham pori (sweet banana fritters fried to a crisp golden hue). Paired with a steaming cup of chai, it offers the perfect pause between journeys.

The ideal way to explore Kerala cuisine is to visit the state, of course. But if you want to get a taste of its brilliance at home, check out selected Kerala recipes here.