Of all the cuisines in Kerala, Malabar cuisine is quite famous because of the exquisite smell of those dishes. Malabar dishes are visually so appealing that the tourists get hungry just by the very look of them. This cuisine is famous in the cities of Kozhikode and Thalasseri. Chicken is the widely used ingredient in Malabar dishes, however, of late; mutton, egg and fish are also being experimented with. Dishes prepared through this cuisine are hot favourites because they are a blend of different styles. Vegetarian dishes are also prepared using the Malabar style; however it is the non- vegetarian foods that are more popular among tourists.

The biryanis of Malabar cuisine are mouth watery. Malabar cuisine is famous for its dum biryani. Chicken, mutton, egg, fish etc. can be used for these dum biryanis. The vessels in which they are prepared are exposed to heat at the top and bottom portions to add that peculiar flavour to the dishes. Malabar is famous for its soft, flaky parathas. These parathas when eaten with the authentic chicken curry or mutton curry of this region can take the food lovers to ninth heaven.

A gravy- like dish made of kallumakkaya, also known as green mussels has its origins in Malabar. The areas around the Malabar region are dominated by a huge Muslim population. Therefore during the month of Ramzan, there is a huge variety of dishes prepared here to cater to the needs of the people. Tourists, who visit here during this time, are simply mesmerized at the sheer variety and quality this place has to offer, in terms or vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, sweets and snacks.

Pazham nirachathu is a sweet delicacy that tastes absolutely divine. It is one of the most sought after deserts in Malabar cuisine. Pazham means banana and nirachathu means filled. So, in simple terms, this dish is nothing but a ripe banana with fillings of coconut or sugar, as per the needs of the customer. The Kozhithalayana dish is one of the most traditional dishes from Thalasseri and has a huge fan-following even today. This dish can be literally translated as Chicken Pillow. A combination of onions, tomatoes, spices, egg and salt are nicely ground to a paste and filled inside the chicken piece. The sides of the chicken are tightly sewn together and deep fried. There are various other special dishes from Malabar namely, Chicken Cake, Fried Chicken Ghee Rice, Layered Chicken with Crepes, Chicken Erachi Puttu, Rice Roti, Mussel Stuffed Rice Dumplings, Stuffed Plantain curry etc.

It is not only the taste that makes Malabar cuisine a huge hit with tourists from all over the world. It is the fact that Malabar cuisines still keep their traditions intact, that attracts the tourists. In an era of fast foods, Malabar cuisine clearly stands out, because of the authenticity of its foods. Dishes made in the Malabar style of cooking are truly representations of the deep, historical culture of the place. One has to taste these dishes, to understand and feel the speciality of the Malabar culture.