Nestled amidst the breathtaking Nilgiri mountains, Ooty is surely heaven on earth. It is also one of the most popular destinations for tourists, families, and solo travelers alike. But apart from vibrant landscapes, Ooty also has a very flavourful food scene, making it a must-visit for every foodie who likes to explore. The quaint town offers a diverse range of flavors that will surely tantalise your taste buds. So, here’s a guide to the local delicacies and top restaurants that will answer your question as to what to eat in Ooty.
Local Delicacies
The food scene of Ooty is a mix of international flavors like Chinese and Italian, and traditional South Indian cuisine like Badaga cuisine.
Badaga Cuisine
Badaga cuisine is the cuisine of the Badaga community of the Nilgiris. The cuisine places a lot of emphasis on millets like finger millet, foxtail millet, and little millet cooked in ghee or butter. The Badaga cuisine is cooked in traditional ways, where they use traditional cookware and hand-ground spices. They offer a very unique blend of vegetarian and meat dishes from the Nilgiri region.
Where to try: Nilgiri Express, The Dining Hall
Nilgiri Express
If you wish to explore the authentic Badaga cuisine from Ooty, Nilgiri Express is the perfect place. This restaurant in Ooty is known to serve dishes from different regions in India and is known to serve the best from Badaga cuisine. They serve Badaga Thali, Badaga Chicken Curry, and more from the Badaga cuisine. Nilgiri Express is known to offer buffet and à la carte menus with balcony seating and live cooking facilities.
Cost for two: ₹1,000
Address: 25, Ramakrishna Mutt Road, R.K.Puram, Elk Hill, Ooty
Timings: 7:30 am to 10:30 pm
Must-Try: Badaga Thali, Central-Italian cuisine
Ooty Varkey
Ooty Varkey is an iconic and traditional crispy snack item that is native to this quaint town. It is a flaky biscuit made out of mava (a blend of rava, sugar, ghee, and banana), wheat flour, ghee, and spices. The dough is hand-kneaded and is baked slowly in wood-fired brick ovens, giving it a unique flavor and texture. You can visit any local bakery in Ooty and relish this unique snack.
Where to try: Local Bakeries like West Coast bakery, Ooty’s Goodies
Avare Sambhar
Avare Sambhar is a popular traditional South Indian curry cooked using hyacinth beans (Avare). This flavorful curry is made by cooking these beans after soaking and peeling them. It is a spicy, tangy curry with main ingredients like coconut, onion, tamarind, and red chillies. Cooked beans are added to this masala to create a thick, hearty sambhar, which is then tempered with mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves, and hing.
Where to try: Nahar’s Garden restaurant, Darshan Ooty
Jackfruit curry
Jackfruit curry is one of the most unique and famous dishes found in Ooty. It is native to the communities of the Niligiri region, like the Badaga community. Jackfruit is one of the local produce, and the cooking method is very careful as the sweetness of jackfruit has to be balanced with the rustic flavor of the spices. It is relished with dosa or rice, and surprisingly, it does taste heavenly.
Where to try: Angara veg, Darshan Ooty
Darshan Ooty
This restaurant in Ooty features one of the simplest interiors and the best vegetarian food. Darshan Ooty specialises in Asian and Indian cuisines with vegan options available. The restaurant has multiple floor seatings with mesmerising views of the hills and the lake. You can relish some mouth-watering local delicacies like Avare sambhar here with panoramic views of the hills.
Cost for two: ₹600
Address: Darshan Hotel, Woodcock Rd, Kandal, Ooty
Timings: 7 am to 10 pm
Must-Try: Dhingri Dolma, Avare Sambhar
Italian And Chinese
Apart from the famous Badaga cuisine, Ooty also serves the best Italian and Chinese cuisine. The gorgeous town has some of the best restaurants where you can easily satisfy your pizza and noodles cravings.
Earl’s Secret
Earl’s Secret is a fine dining restaurant in Ooty, which is located in the King’s Cliff Hotel. The restaurant offers a diverse menu with cuisines like Continental, Italian, Indian, Mughlai, and Asian cuisines. It offers a lovely glasshouse setting and cozy fireside areas with a hilltop ambiance. Earl’s Secret is the perfect place to have a relaxed time with friends or for couples.
Cost for two: ₹1200
Address: Havelock Rd, Police Quarters, Pudumund, Ooty
Timings: 12:30 am to 10:30 pm
Must-Try: Lasagna al Forno, Chicken Supreme Fillet
The Periodic Table
Talk about a restaurant in Ooty which is a loved and famous restaurant, and you will surely hear the name The Periodic Table for sure. This restaurant offers a gourmet dining experience, with dishes from European, Asian, and Chinese cuisine with some touches of Thailand, Japan, and Korea. The ingredients highlight rare and common herbs to create a symphony of flavors in multi-course meals.
Cost for two: ₹2,000
Address: Littlearth Square, Oriental Buildings, Commissioner’s Road, Ooty
Timings: 12:30 am to 10 pm
Must-Try: Pumpkin Soup with Prawns, Tofu Eggplant Dish
Nahar’s Sidewalk Café
If you wish to taste true Italian flavors, think no more and head straight to Nahar’s Sidewalk Cafe. It is one of the most revered vegetarian restaurants in Ooty that also serves gluten-free and vegan options. The restaurant is centrally located, making it easy to reach, and offers an inviting ambience. The biggest attraction here is the wood-fired pizzas with varieties like Nilgiri Special, Margherita, and more.
Cost for two: ₹750
Address: 52-A, Charing Cross, Upper Bazar, Ooty
Timings: 10 am to 10:30 pm
Must-Try: Spaghetti Neapolitan, Spicy Veggie Supreme, Mexican Salsa Burger
Summing up
Ooty has a mix of cuisines that it offers, from Badaga cuisine from the Nilgiri region to Italian delicacies in the restaurant. So we have given you a list of restaurants where you can savor both the local delicacies and other cuisines as well.
