Hours
| Sunday | 12:30–10:30 PM |
| Monday | 3–10:30 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 3–10:30 PM |
| Thursday | 3–10:30 PM |
| Friday | 3–10:30 PM |
| Saturday | 12:30–10:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: Essex, 36 N Station Rd, Colchester CO1 1RB, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1206 984256
Website: https://cafemalabarcolchester.co.uk/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: cafemalabarcolchester.co.uk
order.cafemalabarcolchester.co.uk
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Cafe Malabar – Best South Indian Restaurant in Colchester
Experience authentic South Indian cuisine at Cafe Malabar in Colchester. Our menu features delicious dosas, curries, and more. Order through our website.
Cafe Malabar | Colchester – Facebook
Essex, 36 N Station Rd , Colchester, United Kingdom, CO1 1RB. . Colchester, UK. Links … Embark on a Culinary Journey at Cafe Malabar: South Indian …
CAFE MALABAR (@cafemalabar.uk) · Colchester – Instagram
… Colchester CO1 1RB 01206 984256 cafemalabarcolchester.co.uk … Malabar is Colchester’s go-to destination for delicious South Indian-inspired cuisine.
Last Updates
Reviews
George Kochu
This is an immersive and honest review based on the dining experience I had at this restaurant a few weeks ago.
Visit & First Impression — 3/5
Visited on a weekday around 7 pm. Seating was immediate in a quiet dining room. The welcome was polite but understated. The interior feels relatively new, with minimal décor that prioritizes function over atmosphere.
Atmosphere — 3.5/5
Warm lighting and comfortable temperature create a relaxed setting. The space is clean and calm, with no background music. Pleasant for conversation, though added ambience would enhance the experience.
Table Setup & Service — 3/5
Tables were clean with simple, practical presentation. Service was calm and courteous, but organization felt uneven — menu delivery was slow and table clearing slightly premature. Overall interaction was friendly, yet confidence and flow could improve.
Portion & Presentation — 3/5
Portions are generous and satisfying. Food arrived warm, but plating is basic, especially for starters. The mains lacked the texture and aroma expected from freshly finished dishes, reducing perceived quality.
Drinks — 3.5/5
Fresh juices were refreshing and good value. Presentation is minimal but acceptable for the price point.
Starter (Samosa) — 2/5
Delivered in 10–12 minutes. Texture was dry and firm, with mild seasoning and little pastry character. Functional rather than crafted, with basic presentation.
Mains (Chicken Manthi) — 3.5/5
Generous portion with pleasant seasoning and moderate authenticity. Satisfying overall, though texture suggested reheating rather than fresh finishing.
Desserts
No desserts were available during the visit.
Pricing & Value — Fair
Total bill around £20–23. Good value for portion size, though improvements in presentation and freshness would elevate satisfaction.
Overall — 3.2/5
A cost-effective South Indian restaurant offering generous portions in a calm setting. Strengths lie in value and approachability, while presentation, service flow, and freshness execution present clear opportunities for refinement. I would return to see how the experience evolves.
… moreVisit & First Impression — 3/5
Visited on a weekday around 7 pm. Seating was immediate in a quiet dining room. The welcome was polite but understated. The interior feels relatively new, with minimal décor that prioritizes function over atmosphere.
Atmosphere — 3.5/5
Warm lighting and comfortable temperature create a relaxed setting. The space is clean and calm, with no background music. Pleasant for conversation, though added ambience would enhance the experience.
Table Setup & Service — 3/5
Tables were clean with simple, practical presentation. Service was calm and courteous, but organization felt uneven — menu delivery was slow and table clearing slightly premature. Overall interaction was friendly, yet confidence and flow could improve.
Portion & Presentation — 3/5
Portions are generous and satisfying. Food arrived warm, but plating is basic, especially for starters. The mains lacked the texture and aroma expected from freshly finished dishes, reducing perceived quality.
Drinks — 3.5/5
Fresh juices were refreshing and good value. Presentation is minimal but acceptable for the price point.
Starter (Samosa) — 2/5
Delivered in 10–12 minutes. Texture was dry and firm, with mild seasoning and little pastry character. Functional rather than crafted, with basic presentation.
Mains (Chicken Manthi) — 3.5/5
Generous portion with pleasant seasoning and moderate authenticity. Satisfying overall, though texture suggested reheating rather than fresh finishing.
Desserts
No desserts were available during the visit.
Pricing & Value — Fair
Total bill around £20–23. Good value for portion size, though improvements in presentation and freshness would elevate satisfaction.
Overall — 3.2/5
A cost-effective South Indian restaurant offering generous portions in a calm setting. Strengths lie in value and approachability, while presentation, service flow, and freshness execution present clear opportunities for refinement. I would return to see how the experience evolves.
Parvathy Prasad
Cafe Malabar is a wonderful spot for anyone who loves authentic South Indian food. The flavors are rich, comforting, and feel truly homemade. Every dish is prepared with care, using traditional spices that bring out the best of South Indian cuisine. The food is consistently delicious, fresh, and satisfying.
The ambiance is simple and welcoming, making it a great place for a relaxed meal. Whether you’re craving Mandhi, flavorful curries, and desserts like falooda, Cafe Malabar delivers on taste and quality.
Highly recommended for South Indian food lovers looking for great flavor and an enjoyable dining experience. ✨
… moreThe ambiance is simple and welcoming, making it a great place for a relaxed meal. Whether you’re craving Mandhi, flavorful curries, and desserts like falooda, Cafe Malabar delivers on taste and quality.
Highly recommended for South Indian food lovers looking for great flavor and an enjoyable dining experience. ✨
Sharun Joshy
Tried chicken dum biriyani, masala dhosha, chillichicken, fried rice, porota
Chicken dum biriyani was nice, is good for those who likes non spicy.
Chillichicken – chicken pieces were very dry and hard to chew and sweet.
Chicken Fried rice- felt like a pulav. Hardly find chicken in it.
Masala Dhosa- was good. ( my son commended, he liked the dhosha but sambar is too sweet.
Porota- was soft and good
Gravy- felt a bit old
Was a long wait to get served.
… moreChicken dum biriyani was nice, is good for those who likes non spicy.
Chillichicken – chicken pieces were very dry and hard to chew and sweet.
Chicken Fried rice- felt like a pulav. Hardly find chicken in it.
Masala Dhosa- was good. ( my son commended, he liked the dhosha but sambar is too sweet.
Porota- was soft and good
Gravy- felt a bit old
Was a long wait to get served.
Syed Mudassir
Good south Indian food option in Colchester.
Tried most things and they never disappoint.
Also great tea.
… moreTried most things and they never disappoint.
Also great tea.
neshmiya Sajeev
This restaurant didn’t just serve food , it served happiness on a plate! Every bite was a flavour explosion, and the team made us feel like family. If you love Indian cuisine, your taste buds will thank you
… moreEyitoyosi Onadipe
Friendly staff, lovely food and reasonable price. Ordered the Chicken Biriyani which was absolutely nice! My friends ordered Kappa Mutton and the other Fish Mango Curry with Porotta which they enjoyed. I didn’t like the orange juice though, tasted different, if I come here again, I’ll stick to the can drinks. But all in all, good food.
… moreMaryam Saleh
Ordered from deliveroo some days ago and there was hair in the food mandhi. Ofc I like their food and I was eating happily unless I found hair!! I had to throw the food away.
… moreConstantina
Highly recommended! Delicious and generous food portions for good prices! Love their spiced chicken, fried fish and paneer dosa with potatoes. The staff is wonderful, always with a kind smile on their face. I love that they offer also Horlicks in their drinks menu haha, delish!
… moreA N
This place is excellent. Super high quality Dosas.. you could be in Wembley. Very welcoming owner and staff, clearly dedicated to their food. Very happy this is in Colchester wish I had discovered this place much sooner. I will be back often. Loved the Dosas, esp. the Mutton from the specials menu, also loved the Biriyani which is my teenagers favourite. It is great that you can bring wine from next door and no corkage. Amazing value, love Malabar <3
… moreMatthew Clarke
I dined alone this evening after a recommendation from work colleagues. I was not disappointed…..the staff were super polite and friendly. I sort recommendations and they were very supportive…….the porotta are the nicest I’ve ever eaten. I can recommend the Malabar Mutton ( not very spicy) and the Chicken Mandhi….comes with so much rice. Seating is limited and basic but didn’t detract from a very positive dining experience. I would recommend supporting this relatively new establishment…… Thank you
… more