Madikeri Restaurant Tips by tayloretc

Rajdarshan: One of the Best in Town

I've eaten here a lot because it's very close to where I'm staying. It's also supposed to be one of the better restaurants in town. They serve the standard Indian and Chinese menus (not including the local specialty, pork curry), and I thought the food was good, although I've heard from weekend tourists that it's just okay.

I liked that the palak paneer actually tastes like spinach, not spices; that the na'an is the perfect blend of soft and crisp; and that vegetables aren't routinely cooked to mush. From what I know of the palate of most South Indians, these kinds of things could be why they think it's just okay.

There are both a family restaurant (Santrupthi) and a bar (Peg House), but the food and drinks menus apply to both. Both rooms are a little dark, and the hotel hasn't capitalized on the views. But the service is good and the wait staff is unobtrusive, and it seems to be full most days.

Address: M.G. Road, below Raja's Seat

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 08272 229142

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Indian

Coorg Cuisinette: “Traditional Kodava Dishes”

There's a limited menu, but they serve the classic Coorg specialties, including rice roti and kadambuttu (rice balls), several pork and chicken dishes, and a couple of veg dishes. They appear to do a brisk catering business for weddings and other large groups – always a good sign. I almost couldn't get lunch a couple of times because they were so busy. There's a tiny sit-down restaurant with five tables, and prices are outrageously low for the quantities served.

I managed to score some pork curry with a side of kadambuttu between catering orders, and it was spicy and absolutely delicious.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Just below the KSRTC bus stand (the government bus stand, down the hill from the private bus stand in the traffic circle); second floor, so look up for the sign.

Phone: 08272 250097

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Hotel Coorg International: One of the Best in Town, High-end Version

One of the most expensive places in town, but the food, service, and presentation are exceptional. The menu is "multi-cuisine," meaning Indian and Chinese of course, but also a decent selection of continental and what look like fusion dishes. They have definitely learned continental standards of service (starter and main course were timed correctly; wait staff was courteous but unobtrusive) and the art of arranging food on the plate and items on the table. The restaurant itself is grander than most of the others in the area, with an abstract forest-inside theme.

I don't know - it kind of didn't feel like India.

Address: Convent Road, Madikeri

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: A little outside of town, a short walk or auto ride.

Phone: 08272 229390

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.coorginternational.com

East End Hotel: Local Favorite

This place was recommended to me by a German lady who had been here for three months, and appears in one of the three major guide books, but unless you are looking for it you probably wouldn't stop here. You wouldn't know where to stop. From the main road (Mysore Road) the hotel looks like a wall, with a sign indicating that you've reached the driveway. The restaurant isn't marked, but it's back through that driveway, just off the parking lot. And it's quite good, if you know what you're ordering – the wait staff won't make suggestions or correct you if you order stupidly.

It was full of locals when I went on a Thursday afternoon; a few tables on a terrace with no view, a large restaurant and bar, and separate rooms for families, all full. I ordered mutton kabab (boneless), and luckily asked for rice because they would have just brought me a plate of meat with two slices of cucumber garnish. This was probably the best mutton I've ever had (although my experience is limited). I ordered take-away too – paneer butter masala, a favorite, and na'an. The paneer butter masala was good, the na'an was different but quite tasty, even reheated.

Prices were on the high side of average, service was good, selection was good, and patrons all looked happy.

Update: My landlord said that when they go out they go here. I went a second time and didn't get as good service, although the food (not quite what I had ordered) was still good.

Address: G.T. Road (Mysore Road), Madikeri

Comparison: about average

Directions: On the left coming from town; the sign in the pic is the only indication of the place, and it's slightly hidden by the petrol station right before it.

Phone: 08272 229996

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Indian

Club Mahindra: Fine Dining in the Trees

This is a resort about 5 km from Madikeri – a short auto ride or a pleasant walk from the center of town. There's a very good restaurant with a lunch buffet, mostly mild spicing and mostly vegetarian, served inside a high-ceilinged hall or outside on a large covered patio surrounded by jackfruit and other trees. Service is exceptional.

I had the chance to go back, and the food and service were just as good. I also walked around the grounds, and they are beautiful – forest-facing rooms put your balcony right up in the trees (I didn't see the rooms). There's a pool with an "Indian barbeque"; organized sports, crafts, and local tours; massage and salon; DVD rental, and other things. Prices are steep.

Address: Galibeedu Road, Kalakeri Nidugane Village

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 08272 221114

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.clubmahindra.com