Hotel Chanakya

I came with family for a traditional Kerala buffet lunch and enjoyed the food. Service was average, but it’s a pleasant spot to eat and relax with friends or family. Book seats before you go if you want one of the nicer, cozier places, since those were reserved for people who had booked. There’s also a small play area for children that all guests can use.

The setting is lovely, and they keep the surroundings clean and green. It’s a good place to have food and drinks with family, friends or colleagues. There’s live music with dinner in the evening, and you can even sing along with them. The parking area can fit quite a lot of cars.

They have parking for roughly 20 cars, with valet parking too. The buffet is on the first floor, where the view is pretty nice depending on your seat. Though it’s at ulloor junction, the place is tucked away from the road traffic. There’s also a beer parlour on the ground floor if you just want a quick drink. This place may be what started the buffet culture in tvm. It was around 150rs when they began, and by 2018 the price was about 400 rs. There’s a good range of dishes, including live counters for dosa, appam, omlette and masala dosa. The food is mostly mediocre to average, so don’t expect to be blown away. Still, it’s a good spot in a busy part of town.

I’d been getting buffet meals here for the past 5-6 years, but this time will be my last. I went for dinner with my parents and most dishes were cold, tasting like they’d been cooked the day before and reheated. The pine apple fried was cold and seemed like it had been made two days earlier. I vomited after dinner that same day. Horrible experience.