I can’t tell you how exhilarated am I to showcase the coastal towns of Kumta and Honnavar which are a part of the Uttar Kannada district in Karnataka. Kumta is my native place and Honnavar next door have been the destinations for me every vacation since childhood, things have changed a lot since then in terms of infrastructure but the towns continue to be sleepy with very good quality of life. Anyways my agenda always is food and these two towns are known for its seafood devouring residents. People who have originated from here also have a nose for good fish, like my parents the exception being me who always scouts of veggie food. Anyways hope you enjoy the pictures.
Kumta
The Devray’s ( Canara cold drinks) handmade icecream is a must have and so is his Ellu neer ( Seasame and milk drink). I had them all but forgot to click as I hogged the Rs 7 scoop of Chickoo and mango icecreams one after the other. Hotel Shubhas near Gudgar Galli and Hotel Kini in the market are very good for local snacks. Lastly hotel Moonlight is good for fish and veggie meals alike.
Backyard, coconut and fruit farms
The white version of Kokum kadii made with unripe fruit at Devray’s Canara coldrinksAmbya Humane a sweet, spicy and sour delicacy made with local mangoes, Jaggery and tempered with Mustard, chillies and Curry leafHitta or Khotte are idlis steamed in jackfruit leaves. Best accompaniment is jaggery sweetened and cardamom flavoured coconut milkMisal Bhaji … Coconut , jaggery and chilli flavoured rice flakes/thin poha doused with coconut gravy and topped with thick sev and chilli peanutsPatrade/ Aloo wadi made from Colocasia leaves stuffed with a sweet and sour lentils and then rolled and steamed. Fiinally sliced and pan-fried with a semoliina crustSour Mango pulp with salt and pepper being sun-dried to make Ambya Sathee also called Aam papadAmbya Sathee after being sundriedKagal Beach in Kumta…. Untresspassed hence tranquil
Honnavar
Sheetal coldrinks is go to place for their Gadbad, otherwise did not come across a destination eatery but for the Bhattara in Gunvante. There are a lot of tiny restaurants and mass brands like Kamat’s and I bet you will find a lot of fish places if you look around, I did not!
A must have pitstop on the national highway. Breakfast for 5 at Rs 200. Known for its Benne DosasThe owner of Bhattara in actionSweet and leavened deep fried buns with a coconut gravyBuns….Benne Dosa aka Butter dosa at Gunvante, HonnnavarKashay. A hot beverage made with Coriander seeds, fenugreek, Cumin and more.Free fish pedicure at a Kund in Gunvante , HonnavarGadbad.. 3 scoops of handmade ice cream with sugar soaked fruits and dried fruits.Ragi Neer… Made by grinding and cooking Nachni/ Finger Millet. The drink is sweetened with jaggery and flavoured with cardamom. A very good coolantcoal smoked kokum kadi made with fresh fruitMallika Mangoes.. taste reminiscent of Alphonso, Dusseri and TotapuriKadgi Phodi- Panfried semolina crusted breadfruitKasarkod beach in Honnavar with clean shore and clear waters
Please add to the list in comments if you know more and better places 🙂
Reading the above article I was reminded of our summer holidays in kumta. We used to love to drink soda sharbat at geeta cold drinks near the bus stand, and gadbad ice cream. I donot know if the shop exist now. Anyways those holidays were really lovely.
Indian Gourmand 
Reading the above article I was reminded of our summer holidays in kumta. We used to love to drink soda sharbat at geeta cold drinks near the bus stand, and gadbad ice cream. I donot know if the shop exist now. Anyways those holidays were really lovely.
Thanks Archana. I definitely share the same feeling as you. Pure nostalgia!
I agree with Archana, I am from Kumta as well and cannot forget Soda Sharbat and Gadbad ice cream from Geeta Colddrinks.