The foodies bucket list: Gokarna, Karnataka

Gokarna, the temple and beach town in Karnataka is pretty much a paradise for South Indian food and seafood. From filter coffee to beer to idli-dosa and fish curry, this is the hippest beach backpacking experience there is in India post Covid-19.

Idli sambar

The healthiest breakfast in the world is a must have when you’re in the temple town of Gokarna. It’s available all day and everywhere. Just must make sure you have it from one of the numerous Pai restaurants in the town.

Wada sambar

Available all over the temple town. A perfect breakfast to have along with some sambar or and chutney.

Filter coffee

A flagship sold all over South India. Something you will easily find at every food stall in Gokarna.

Prawn pizza

Yes, it might sound a bit odd, but you will taste the best wood fire prawn pizza on the beach shacks of Kudle Beach.

Ice Nutella

The best way to beat the coastal heat is by having a chilled ice Nutella. It’s available only at a handful of shacks, so do check the menu before you start ordering.

Squid fry

Available in every cafe along the beach. If you’re a seafood lover, then this is a must try. It’s the perfect snack to have while sipping on chilled beer during the afternoons at Gokarna.

King fish tikka

Seafood lovers will go gaga over the King fish tikka. It’s the best thing to have from the tandoori batti along the seashore. It’s definitely worth the hype and the time that the order will take to deliver.

Fish burger

Home made burger patty which is served with chips and salad. If you thought you had the best homemade burgers in Goa, then you need to try the ones made at Gokarna. Less pricey and more tasty, that’s how it’s best to sum them up.

Squid butter garlic

Another one for the squid fans. The legendary butter garlic batter with squids tossed in them. The aroma is enough to make your mouth water.

Set dosa

As the name suggests, it’s actually a set of three dosas which are served with sambar and chutney. It is more than enough to fill your tank up for the morning.

Fish thali

Thali is pretty much synonyms to every part of India and Gokarna has their own twist to the fish thali which is a wholesome meal enough to fill one up.

Prawn rawa fry

The staple prawns fried in rawa and served with some tomato ketchup is divine.

Dahi wada

Available at nearly all the eateries in the temple town. It is a great dish to cool yourself from the extreme coastal humidity.

Prawn sizzler

A definite must have for lunch or dinner. The prawn sizzler is served with veggies and potato strips which are a mix between wedges and french fries. Don’t leave Gokarna without trying the prawn sizzler.

Prawn fritters

Deep fried prawns served with tomato ketchup is the perfect compliment to a chilled beer on a hot and sticky day at any of the beaches in Gokarna. This is best served at Om and Kudlee beach shacks.

Surmai platter

Surmai or king fish platter which is perfect, the whole king fish grilled or fried in the sauce of your choice. It’s best to order a platter if it’s three or more to eat.

King Prawns tandoori

As the name suggests, the king prawn tandoori is a grill stick of around eight prawns served after being baked in the hot tandoor.

Prawn koliwada

Red batter spicy prawns serve as a great compliment to your beer or even as a starter or snack after taking a dip in the sea.

Prawn curry

Coconut based prawn curry exactly how you expect it to be around the Konkan coast. It’s the kind of flavour which will leave your heart content. Best eaten with jeera rice or tava roti.