What to Eat in Kumbakonam Today?

Famous Food to Eat in Kumbakonam

Most food here is simple, vegetarian and made fresh through the day. These are the dishes to look for.

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee

Strong filter coffee made with fresh, full-cream milk and served in a brass tumbler and bowl. It is the town's best-known food, and you will see coffee stalls on almost every temple street.

Idli with Kadappa

Soft idlis served with kadappa, a mild, creamy gravy of potato and moong dal. It is a delta speciality that you will rarely find outside this part of Tamil Nadu.

Adai Avial

A thick pancake made from several lentils and rice, served with avial, a mix of vegetables in a coconut and curd sauce. It is filling and a good choice before a long day of temple visits.

Kuzhi Paniyaram

Small round dumplings of fermented batter cooked in a dimpled pan, crisp outside and soft inside. They come sweet or savoury and make a good evening snack.

Tamil Meals

A lunch of rice with sambar, rasam, kootu, poriyal and curd, served on a banana leaf. Staff usually keep refilling your leaf until you say stop.

Coffee and Snacks in Kumbakonam

Coffee is part of every break here. Stop for a cup after an early temple visit, and try kuzhi paniyaram or a plate of bajji from a street stall in the evening. You will also see Kumbakonam betel leaf sold for paan around the bazaars.

Food Tips for Travellers in Kumbakonam

• Go early for breakfast, as popular dishes sell out by mid-morning.
• Almost everything is vegetarian, and many places do not serve onion or garlic in some dishes.
• Eat lunch with your right hand on the banana leaf, as locals do, or ask for a spoon.
• Folding the banana leaf towards you after a meal usually means you enjoyed it.
• Drink plenty of water and buttermilk in the hot months.
• Carry some cash for coffee stalls and small eateries.