Here is a practical, detailed guide to the Top 10 Restaurants in Varkala for new tourists and city visitors. These places are selected based on popularity, food variety, tourist convenience, cliff or beach access, and overall dining experience. Many of Varkala’s best restaurants are around North Cliff, South Cliff, Varkala Beach, Odayam, and Edava side, so this guide is made to help visitors choose easily without searching elsewhere.
Before You Start: How Dining Works in Varkala
Most visitors eat around North Cliff because that area has the highest number of cafés, seafood restaurants, bakeries, and sunset-facing dining spots. South Cliff is usually quieter and less crowded. Odayam and Edava side are better for peaceful dining. Varkala offers Kerala seafood, Indian food, breakfast cafés, continental meals, pizza, smoothie bowls, vegetarian food, and coffee places.
1. Cafe del Mar
Why visit:
Cafe del Mar is a scenic restaurant known for sea views, sunset atmosphere, and relaxed evening dining.
Best for:
Sunset dining, couples, sea-view meals, casual dinners.
Food style:
Indian, café food, seafood, vegetarian-friendly meals.
What to try:
Seafood dishes, grilled food, snacks, drinks, evening meals.
Budget:
Medium.
Why tourists like it:
It gives the classic Varkala cliff dining feeling with good views and a calm setting.
2. Abba Restaurant and Everest German Bakery
Why visit:
This is one of the oldest and most well-known restaurants in Varkala. It is a great choice for visitors who want many options in one place.
Best for:
Families, mixed groups, breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Food style:
Indian, seafood, European, bakery food, continental meals.
What to try:
Fresh bread, breakfast dishes, baked goods, seafood items, Indian curries.
Budget:
Medium to slightly premium.
Why tourists like it:
It offers a wide menu, good location, and works well for people with different food choices.
3. Clafouti Restaurant
Why visit:
Clafouti is one of Varkala’s classic restaurant names and is very popular for seafood and cliffside dining.
Best for:
Seafood dinners, couples, families, evening meals.
Food style:
Indian, seafood, Asian, Thai, Chinese, healthy meals.
What to try:
Fresh fish, prawns, seafood platters, Thai-inspired dishes, Indian seafood curries.
Budget:
Medium to slightly premium.
Why tourists like it:
It offers a proper sit-down meal with a good mix of food, location, and coastal vibe.
4. InDa Cafe
Why visit:
InDa Cafe is a stylish and peaceful café that suits visitors looking for a modern brunch or quiet lunch spot.
Best for:
Brunch, couples, relaxed lunch, coffee breaks.
Food style:
Cafe food, European dishes, pizza, coffee, light meals.
What to try:
Pizza, coffee, breakfast dishes, café mains.
Budget:
Medium.
Why tourists like it:
It feels calm, aesthetic, and comfortable, especially for those who prefer a clean café setting.
5. Coffee Temple
Why visit:
Coffee Temple is one of the most popular places in Varkala for coffee, breakfast, brunch, and relaxed meals. It is very popular among solo travelers, couples, and people who enjoy a calm café atmosphere.
Best for:
Breakfast, coffee, brunch, casual lunch, work-friendly café time.
Food style:
Cafe food, Italian-style dishes, coffee, light meals.
What to try:
Coffee, breakfast platters, sandwiches, bakery items, pizza, light café dishes.
Budget:
Medium to slightly premium.
Why tourists like it:
It is simple, reliable, relaxing, and good for both morning and evening visits.
6. The Bait & Hook: Seaside Restaurant
Why visit:
This restaurant is a strong choice for seafood lovers and for visitors who want a proper seaside restaurant experience.
Best for:
Seafood dinners, groups, coastal meals, relaxed evenings.
Food style:
Seafood, South Indian, North Indian, tandoor, Italian, Chinese, multicuisine.
What to try:
Grilled fish, Kerala seafood dishes, tandoori meals, Indian mains.
Budget:
Medium to slightly premium.
Why tourists like it:
It suits travelers who want seafood as the main focus but still need many other menu choices.
7. Babu Farm Restaurant
Why visit:
Babu Farm Restaurant is a good option for travelers who want seafood and local-style food in a quieter place.
Best for:
Seafood lovers, lunch, dinner, peaceful meals away from heavy crowds.
Food style:
Indian food and seafood.
What to try:
Fish curry, prawns, local seafood meals, rice-based dishes, Indian curries.
Budget:
Medium.
Why tourists like it:
It feels more peaceful than some busy cliff places and is a good choice for fresh local-style meals.
8. Green Pepper Restaurant & Resort
Why visit:
Green Pepper is especially useful for visitors staying near South Cliff and looking for a quieter dining spot.
Best for:
Families, South Cliff visitors, lunch, dinner.
Food style:
Indian, seafood, Asian dishes, vegetarian-friendly meals.
What to try:
Seafood curry, grilled fish, Indian dishes, vegetarian plates.
Budget:
Medium.
Why tourists like it:
It is in a calmer location and works well for those who do not want to dine in the busiest tourist stretch.
9. The White Rabbit Vegetarian Cafe
Why visit:
This is one of the best choices in Varkala for vegetarian travelers and people who like lighter, healthier food.
Best for:
Vegetarians, breakfast, lunch, healthy meals, café-style dining.
Food style:
Vegetarian café food, smoothie bowls, toast, burgers, light meals, South Indian items.
What to try:
Smoothie bowls, avocado toast, vegetarian breakfast plates, fresh juices.
Budget:
Budget-friendly to medium.
Why tourists like it:
It is simple, fresh, and especially useful for vegetarian or health-conscious visitors.
10. Darjeeling Cafe
Why visit:
Darjeeling Cafe is a scenic cliffside place known for casual meals, views, and a relaxed tourist-friendly vibe.
Best for:
Views, evening hangouts, casual meals, couples.
Food style:
Mixed café menu, global comfort food, casual dining.
What to try:
Coffee, noodles, fried rice, seafood dishes, continental café meals.
Budget:
Medium.
Why tourists like it:
It is a good place to enjoy the sea breeze, sunset mood, and easygoing Varkala atmosphere.
Best Picks by Category
Best overall for first-time tourists:
Coffee Temple, Abba Restaurant, Clafouti
Best for seafood:
The Bait & Hook, Babu Farm Restaurant, Green Pepper, Cafe del Mar
Best for coffee and brunch:
Coffee Temple, InDa Cafe
Best for sunset and views:
Cafe del Mar, Darjeeling Cafe, Clafouti
Best vegetarian choice:
The White Rabbit Vegetarian Cafe
Best for families:
Clafouti, Coffee Temple, Abba Restaurant
Practical Food Tips for Varkala Visitors
Try to keep breakfast or brunch for the café places and enjoy seafood or sunset dining in the evening. Many Varkala restaurants become busiest around sunset, so going a little early helps with seating.
If you want fresh seafood, ask what is available that day instead of only ordering from the menu directly. In tourist zones, prices can be higher than local town eateries, so budget travelers may want to mix cliff restaurants with simple local Kerala meals.
For couples, cliffside restaurants are usually best in the evening. For solo travelers or digital nomads, cafés are better in the morning and afternoon. For family dining, choose places with broader menus like Abba, Clafouti, or Green Pepper.
About the Author
I’m a travel blogger and slow-travel explorer passionate about nature, culture, and real-life journeys. Through KeralaOrbit, I share authentic travel stories from Kerala—covering backwaters, hills, beaches, local food, and everyday experiences that reflect the true rhythm of life in God’s Own Country.
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