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The views and fresh mountain air make Ooty a coveted destination for those looking to get away from big cities. Ooty was originally a British Raj summer resort and is still home to a working steam railway line. The restaurants in the resort town serve a mix of local cuisine and global fare. If you’re on a break in Ooty, we recommend some restaurants to try:
Ooty Coffee House
A small, old-school place known for serving good coffee, Ooty Coffee House also serves South Indian fare like dosas, idli and vada. The place is one of the most popular vegetarian restaurants in the region, and the food is also reasonably priced. Try the ghee roast dosa and pair it with a tumbler of filter coffee.
Location: 2nd Floor, Upper Bazaar, Elk Hill, Commercial Road, Ooty.
Timings: Daily, 8.15am-10pm.
Cost for two: ₹300
Earl’s Secret
Located inside a colonial-era bungalow, Earl’s Secret is a beautiful space with a glass atrium that has a great view of the lawns. The place is a favourite with locals and so booking beforehand is recommended. The menu is extensive and includes European, North Indian and Indian-Chinese fare.
Location: Havelock Road, Police Quarters, Pudumund, Ooty.
Timings: Daily, 12.30-3.30pm, 7.15-10pm.
Cost for two: ₹1,200
Shinkows
Established by a Chinese couple in 1954, Shinkows is a popular Chinese restaurant in Ooty. The menu is concise and mainly includes classics. Choose from sweet corn chicken soup, chilli chicken, chicken in hot garlic sauce, sliced fish with vegetables, chilli beef, chop suey, and different kinds of fried rice.
Location: Summer House Colony, Upper Bazar, Ooty.
Timings: Daily, noon-10pm.
Cost for two: ₹800
Curry and Rice
With dishes like Lord Channing’s curried duckling, Langra Dhobee’s ding ding curry, and Doctor Golis gol matol brown chicken ishtew on the menu, Curry and Rice is mainly known for Anglo-Indian, Armenian, Chinese, North Indian and South Indian cuisine. The restaurant is set in a former hotel ballroom and has intricate murals and paintings.
Location: Fern Hill Royal Palace, Ooty.
Timings: Daily, 7am-10pm.
Cost for two: ₹1,800
Kabab Corner
The menu at Kabab Corner lists a lot of Indian-Chinese dishes, but the true stars of the show here are, of course, the kebabs. There’s everything from Nilgiri kebab and tandoori chicken to reshmi kebab and mutton seekh. Kabab Corner is a small, corner joint and sees some loyal regulars.
Location: Commercial Road, Thalayathimund, Ooty.
Timings: Daily, 10.30am-11.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹1,200
