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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery
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Cafe Malabar brings the bold and vibrant flavours of Kerala’s Malabar Coast to the Victoria Public Market. Led by chefs Kiran Kolathodan & Karma Tenpa, our menu showcases authentic Keralan dishes like Alleppey Fish Curry and Chicken Malabar Dum Biriyani, crafted with island-grown vegetables and sustainable seafood. Recognized as the #5 Best New Restaurant in Canada by Air Canada Enroute in 2024 and named Best South East Asian Restaurant by YAM Magazine, we offer dine-in, take-out, and delivery.
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 12–3 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 12–3 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Friday | 12–3 PM, 4–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 12–3 PM, 4–8:30 PM |
| Sunday | 12–3 PM, 4–8 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 407 Swift St, Victoria, BC V8W 1S2, Canada
Phone: +1 778-584-7072
Website: https://cafemalabar.ca/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.ca
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Cafe Malabar
At Cafe Malabar, you’re invited to experience the warmth and vibrant flavours of Kerala, brought to life in the heart of Victoria, BC.
Cafe Malabar Restaurant – Victoria, BC | OpenTable
Led by Chef Kiran Kolathodan and Chef Karma Tenpa, our award-winning restaurant was named #5 Best New Restaurant in Canada by Air Canada enRoute.
Cafe Malabar | Coastal Kerala Cuisine (@cafemalabar.ca) – Instagram
#5 Best New Restaurant 2024, Air Canada Enroute. Experience Malabar coast flavours & modern South Indian cuisine in Victoria, BC.
Reviews
Chris Dunn
Seen the hype online. Was pretty good.
Hostesses were awesome.
Service was great.
I am a cook myself. Food was abovrr average but i didnt have my mind blown.
I have ate at alot of places and have high standards ..but there was some intersting things that gave me ideas for fusion recipes.
It was very good food and great atmosphere
… moreHostesses were awesome.
Service was great.
I am a cook myself. Food was abovrr average but i didnt have my mind blown.
I have ate at alot of places and have high standards ..but there was some intersting things that gave me ideas for fusion recipes.
It was very good food and great atmosphere
Hunter Arcese
We got the Dine-around menu and it was fantastic!
A real pop of umami and fresh herbs with the amouse-bouche.
Warm spices, heat, and a hint of smoke with the prawns.
Juicy fried chicken with a mild but fresh, tangy and minty sauce.
The fish curry was excellent. Hot and aromatic. The spanish mackerel’s oiliness combined very well with the gravy. The coconut rice pairing was tasty too. But we preferred pairing the curry with the vattayappam we ordered as an extra.
The chicken curry was also excellent. Not quite as hot as the fish curry and with fresh minty and herbal notes.
The desserts were good, but not as outstanding as the savoury dishes
… moreA real pop of umami and fresh herbs with the amouse-bouche.
Warm spices, heat, and a hint of smoke with the prawns.
Juicy fried chicken with a mild but fresh, tangy and minty sauce.
The fish curry was excellent. Hot and aromatic. The spanish mackerel’s oiliness combined very well with the gravy. The coconut rice pairing was tasty too. But we preferred pairing the curry with the vattayappam we ordered as an extra.
The chicken curry was also excellent. Not quite as hot as the fish curry and with fresh minty and herbal notes.
The desserts were good, but not as outstanding as the savoury dishes
Greg Strauss
I could keep going back just for the Kerala Fried Chicken starter; they’re that good. With all the different fried chicken focused restaurants downtown, none come close to what Cafe Malabar offers.
But of course, Cafe Malabar is so much more than the fried chicken. Their other dishes are equally as good, as is the dining experience itself.
We had the Beef Roast and Kadala main dishes with sides of Matta rice and Parotta bread, and the Chicken Biriyani. I had the Pacific Chai Drift beverage, which was also fantastic.
I need to go back and try some of the other dishes as well. But that Kerala Fried Chicken… wow.
… moreBut of course, Cafe Malabar is so much more than the fried chicken. Their other dishes are equally as good, as is the dining experience itself.
We had the Beef Roast and Kadala main dishes with sides of Matta rice and Parotta bread, and the Chicken Biriyani. I had the Pacific Chai Drift beverage, which was also fantastic.
I need to go back and try some of the other dishes as well. But that Kerala Fried Chicken… wow.
Ugyen Choden
The place was decent in terms of ambience and setting. I liked the idea of having high chairs for most of the seating, though next time I would prefer to sit at a low-height table. The service was good, and the servers were humble and helpful. We ordered a mix of recommended dishes and items we wanted to try, and everything was served on time without any delay. I also loved the South Indian filter coffee. On my next visit, I’d like to try their South Indian fish dishes and the items prepared in banana leaf. Overall, it was a nice experience.
… moreS L
One of the best Indian restaurants in town! Beautiful waterfront location with a clean and modern interior. This is South Indian cuisine, so you won’t find butter chicken here, but the flavors are incredibly authentic.
We had the beef roast — very tender but quite spicy (a spice level warning would’ve been helpful). It paired perfectly with the parotta and appam. Parotta was flaky and rich -almost like a nann, while appam had a light, slightly sweet flavor.
The halibut fish pollichathu was amazing, though the portion was a bit small. Same for the beef roast — small, but packed with flavor.
Lamb shank biryani was excellent — no gamy smell at all, and the meat was perfectly cooked. The yogurt sauce on the side was also delicious.
Desserts were a highlight: both the coconut cream caramel and paalada payasam were sweet but well-balanced.
Mango margarita was decent.
Overall, fantastic experience. Highly recommend and would definitely come back!
… moreWe had the beef roast — very tender but quite spicy (a spice level warning would’ve been helpful). It paired perfectly with the parotta and appam. Parotta was flaky and rich -almost like a nann, while appam had a light, slightly sweet flavor.
The halibut fish pollichathu was amazing, though the portion was a bit small. Same for the beef roast — small, but packed with flavor.
Lamb shank biryani was excellent — no gamy smell at all, and the meat was perfectly cooked. The yogurt sauce on the side was also delicious.
Desserts were a highlight: both the coconut cream caramel and paalada payasam were sweet but well-balanced.
Mango margarita was decent.
Overall, fantastic experience. Highly recommend and would definitely come back!
Sandeep N
One of the Best South Indian Food we have ever tasted in Canada. We casually visited this place however we were surprised by the ambiance upon entry. Staff was very friendly. Food was so good that I ended up coming the same day after couple of hours to have more. We definitely now have a to go place whenever visiting Victoria. Must try place if you ever wanted to try real authentic flavors of South India.
… moreAngel Chan
Best Indian restaurant I have been to! Our waitress was amazing and she explained everything very patiently. All her recommendations were a hit! I really enjoyed how it’s very different than the typical Indian restaurant we have here. They focus on southern Indian spices/cuisine with local produce and catch. The least impressive part of our dinner were our drinks.
… moreAstral
We had ordered eggs puffs and veg cutlet as starters and it went so well with our drinks. The bartender was sweet enough to suggest zero proof drinks upon requesting.
The fish moole- Fish fillets cooked with coconut milk, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies in a Kerala-style preparation was kept authentic. It paired well with the rice hoppers.
The beef roast is a must try and paired well with their Malabar parottas.
Overall, it was worth it. The portions can definitely be a bit more generous for the pricing.
… moreThe fish moole- Fish fillets cooked with coconut milk, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies in a Kerala-style preparation was kept authentic. It paired well with the rice hoppers.
The beef roast is a must try and paired well with their Malabar parottas.
Overall, it was worth it. The portions can definitely be a bit more generous for the pricing.
Mohamed nawab
My friend took me to Cafe Malabar and it was a great experience. We had Kerala Fried Chicken, Idiyappam, Parotta, Mutton Ishtu, Nilgiri Chaya, and Coconut Crème Caramel—everything was delicious and well presented. Nice ambiance, great view, and excellent service from the manager Alexa, and team. Highly recommended!
One important note make reservations they are always busy
… moreOne important note make reservations they are always busy
ljlmeds
Dine around town deal!
Was very impressed. I don’t give 5 stars all around lightly.
Food: amazing, flavour was out of the park. First amuse bouche was nothing I’d had before. Light but spices depth.
Seevice: I wish I was better at names. Our server was knowledgeable and could tell enjoyed their work.
Packed house till 930pm. We were the last to leave.
Support local, this is where it is!
… moreWas very impressed. I don’t give 5 stars all around lightly.
Food: amazing, flavour was out of the park. First amuse bouche was nothing I’d had before. Light but spices depth.
Seevice: I wish I was better at names. Our server was knowledgeable and could tell enjoyed their work.
Packed house till 930pm. We were the last to leave.
Support local, this is where it is!