A major port city, Mangalore has retained its old-world charm, and is a favourite among tourists for its pristine beaches, temples and authentic seafood. The restaurants in Mangalore offer a brilliant opportunity to try out local cuisine.
Thanks to the variety of cultures, Mangalorean cuisine is as diverse as its demographic that is made-up of settlers from Udupi, Kerala, Goa, and north India. This medley of cultures is very much reflected in the city’s dining culture, which offers a wide range of both non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes, adding innumerable flavours on your platter. Being a coastal city, Mangalore is famous for its seafood which is commonly prepared using fresh local ingredients. Coconut, jaggery, and curry leaves are some common ingredients used in most Mangalorean cuisines.
As a commonality in South Indian cities, the staple food in Mangalore is rice and is, therefore, used in all forms to make flavoursome Mangalorean specialities such as kori rottis (dry wafers made from boiled rice), sannas (spongy steamed savoury rice cakes), rice rottis, pancakes, and pundis (a round shaped soft rice dumpling).
# MachaliRun by a Konkani family, Machali is one of the popular restaurants in Mangalore where you can taste the delectable seafood of Karnataka. You may have to wait in line to get a table but it’s worth the wait as the food is mouth-watering and the ambience is good. It is one of the restaurants which is small and the staff is limited, but you know what they say about good things coming in small packages.
Must-try items: Once you get here, do not forget to try the fish thali, a must-try dish comprising a portion of red rice, a curry made largely from fish bones and spares, a vegetable dish, and a thick Konkani-style yellow dal. Some other recommendations include the anjal tawa fry, squid ghee roast, crab ghee roast, and their prawn biryani.
# Pallkhi RestaurantAnother among the top restaurants in Mangalore, Pallkhi has been accoladed as one of the ‘Best Restaurants of India’ by NDTV. The restaurant is 20 years old, and attracts big groups looking to have a fun meal as well couples looking for an intimate dinner. With its soothing ambiance and courteous staff, you can judge its popularity from its long-running success in Mangalore. It offers various amenities like a rooftop for candlelight dinners with magnificent views of downtown Mangalore, a bar stocked with spirits, wine, and beer, and a party hall for big groups. The menu comprises traditional Mangalorean cuisine with Indo-Chinese, south Indian, and north Indian influences.
# Sizzler RanchYou may think that the Mangalore food scene is all about traditional food, but this place will prove you wrong. Opened in 2008, Sizzler Ranch, as the name suggests, is one of the most popular restaurants in Mangalore known for its hot sizzling western cuisine. Although this restaurant in Mangalore is a haven for meat lovers, there is a variety of vegetarian sizzlers to choose from. It has both indoor and outdoor seating.
# Thyme Family RestaurantThyme Family Restaurant is one of the highly acclaimed restaurants in Mangalore where you can look forward to having a great time with your family and friends. Located inside Bharath Mall, it is a multi-cuisine restaurant with a lot of variety to choose from including Indian, Chinese, Continental, and fusion. With minimalistic decor and a few artsy paintings dotting the walls, the food served here is delicious.
# Giri Manja’sThere are numerous restaurants in Mangalore that serve an impressive variety of seafood. One such restaurant is Giri Manja’s, one of the top-visited and famous restaurants in Mangalore. It is an old house converted into a restaurant. However, there is a bit of waiting involved but the delicious servings and average pricing make up for it. The servers recite the menu and specials of the day which mainly comprises seafood as there is no printed menu here. This place does not have separate tables and chairs but instead has two long tables, which gives a communal vibe.
# Maharaja RestaurantPreferred by families looking for a place to have an affordable lunch or dinner, Maharaja is one of the crowd-favourite restaurants in Mangalore. It also has a spacious air conditioned section and an outdoor seating arrangement. Admired for its hospitable staff and quick service, you’ll get mouth-watering options of north Indian cuisine, along vegetarian and non-vegetarian ghee roasts.