Kozhikode Tourism

The City of Artists

The culture and heritage of this beautiful city would take a number of pages to explain in detail. Kozhikode is seen as one of the most harmonious and peace-loving places in India. Being a trading and port city, Kozhikode offers a freedom that is inculcated in its long-standing tradition of trade and commerce. People of various culture, heritage and religion live here harmoniously and thus a visit to Kozhikode is sure to change your perception about Kerala and Malayalees.

Kozhikode had begun trading with the Arabs since the 7th Century as per many historians. This is quite evident in the Arabic influence obvious around the city. Traditional dance and song forms like Oppana and Mappila Pattu have to be enjoyed once in a lifetime. Kozhikode is also the preferred habitat of a number of literary and cultural icons in Kerala like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and M. T. Vasudevan Nair, literary stalwarts who had spent most of their lives in the city. Kozhikode is also home to festivals like the Malabar Mahotsavam (a cultural festival) and Jalolsavam (celebratory festival as a part of Onam) are celebrated with pomp and glory.

Food and Dining

Food is one of the main attractions of this beautiful city. Often referred to as the food capital of the state, Kozhikode is quite generous with its offerings. With a distinct flavour, courtesy of the vibrant Musil community here, Kozhikode will cater to the hunger pangs of anyone and everyone. The Erachi pathiris (rice cakes filled with meat mixture), Kuzhi Mandis (Arabic style rice and meat dish), Arikadukka (rice cake cooked with mussels), and the wide varieties of other snacks are just the tip of the iceberg here in Kozhikode.

Kozhikode is also famous for a couple of speciality drinks like the Avil Milk (a shake with rice flakes and banana), Kulukki Sarbath (drinks, mostly flavoured lemonade, shaken together before service), Milk Sarbath and Sulaimani (spiced tea, often with a dash of lemon). The famous Malabar Biriyani also finds its roots here and is a speciality dish in most restaurants in Kozhikode. Kozhikode bakeries are also quite renowned and are among the first to bake cakes and biscuits in the country.

The food and dining scenario in Kozhikode has evolved to accommodate modern flavours and fine dining as well. Restaurants serving dishes from various cuisines like Chinese, Arabic, American and European can be seen dotted around the city. Paragon Restaurant and their biriyani enjoy celebrity status in the Kozhikode restaurant scenario.