MALAYALAM Restaurant in Eastbourne

We spotted this restaurant as we were walking by. It was full of people & really buzzing. We checked out the menu & really liked the food choices. We booked for next day & the restaurant didn't disappoint. We were served with politeness & we asked for recommendations & they were happy to assist. Starters were the dosa, & prawns cooked fresh. We had the lamb biriyani. I had vegetarian dishes the mixed vegetables, mushroom & pototoe curry & the paneer spinach plus chappatti. The food was delicious & the spice was absolutely spot on for us. The service was excellent & we would certainly go back if we're in Eastbourne.

This place is an absolute delight. We came down overnight from London to walk along the Severn Sisters and chose this restaurant for our first meal in Eastbourne. I was a little sceptical that it would be good as we know and love Keralan food and didn't expect to find somewhere better than the places we go to all the time in Tooting. However, I was wrong. The food was superb and every dish was authentic, but more importantly, you could tell that these were family recipes because they tasted unique, and yet familiar. This was knockout food. I don't think we'll do the walk again anytime soon but this is a serious destination restaurant. My silky aubergine curry and my husband's beef curry were both out of this world, and the vegetable korma was beautiful and layered and rich. We both left smiling and wanting to go back for more.

Of all the amazing Indian regional cuisines, Keralan food is the best, in my opinion. The cooking at Malayalam is truly authentic. Really friendly service and some of the most delicious Keralan food I've ever eaten, including in Kerala. Totally recommended.

Nice food, enjoyed the visit here. Large portions of main course, we couldn’t finish our food. The dips got a little repetitive as same dips/sauces served with everything but enjoyed all the food we had. The starters were particularly good and I loved the biryani I ate although I had chicken - the pieces of chicken were a little dry.

The food was delicious and great value. We all thoroughly enjoyed our food and the staff were brilliant. They explained the dishes and made great recommendations on what to accompany our mains. The food available was a good choice that is different to the usual Indian menu and would definitely recommend this for a great place to eat out!

What a great find - recommended by a friend and went with a group of girls. We all had the taster curry dish and highly recommend it was delicious. If you like Indian food you'll love the Kerala flavours in their dishes

Great place great food and great staff. Highlight of our stay in Eastbourne and have already recommended to family to pay a visit

We found this restaurant purely by accident on our first trip to Eastbourne last month. Since then it has become our favourite restaurant, not just Indian, but of any cuisine, so it came as no surprise when my wife requested we make the 45 mile trip to Eastbourne to celebrate our wedding anniversary at the restaurant last night (32 years! Not that that has any real relevance as to this review, other than she deserves to celebrate anywhere she pleases for putting up with me for so long!) Anyway, to the restaurant. It is decorated beautifully and with care. The service is impeccable, you really couldn't ask for friendlier, more professional staff, in fact the only thing that beats the quality of the service, is the quality of the food. This is no run of the mill, "average" Indian restaurant. You won't find the anglicised "vindaloos" and "tikka masalas" on this menu. Instead what you find is delicious food from the state of Kerala, cooked and served by people from the state, proudly serving the food of their homeland to people they treat as friends as much as customers. Our first ever meal here was their "Malayalam Mazhavillu" (a "Malayalam Rainbow") ..... their version of what other restaurants call a "thali" (a selection of small versions of the curries from the menu, with some rice to accompany them. What they do differently, is add a starter (a delicious seafood soup) and a dessert, turning it into a true 3 course meal. As we sipped our first spoonful of soup, my wife and I both looked at eachother, mouthing "wow" - when the main thali arrived we dug in, almost worried that it couldn't live up to the soup - we needn't have worried - each of the 7 dishes was met with the same level of excitement - and that has been the case with every dish we have had the pleasure to experience. Last night was our 6th visit to the restaurant (including 2 for breakfast - a revelation in itself, as no other Indian restaurant has offered that to us before (all the ones local to us open at 5pm, well past breakfast!) As if the quality and delicious flavours of the food isn't enough, I should point out that my wife is coeliac and almost every item on the menu is naturally gluten-free! Of all the items on the menu, there are 1 starter, 2 main courses and 1 dessert which aren't gluten-free ..... oh and the 2 mains .... they can be made gluten-free on request! As my wife and all other coeliacs can attest, finding a restaurant where you don't have to start your meal with "do you have any gluten-free options please?" (and as my wife puts it feeling like "THAT customer") is a rarity - and being a "mixed couple (1 coeliac and 1 "muggle") being able to share your meals with eachother is even more rare - and when the food is so good you WANT to share it (and this food really is THAT good), it just adds to the enjoyment of the moment. If you live in Eastbourne, you NEED to eat here - at LEAST once - and if like us, you DON'T live in Eastbourne, it's worth making a trip (as I said, 45 miles in our case), JUST to eat here although Eastbourne itself is worth a visit.

Such a refreshing change . It's nice to have spiced and balanced food . We had to wait 45minutes for the stuffed sea bass . And it was fantastic worth the wait . I will be going again it was refreshing to have an Indian meal that wasn't chicken or lamb in a different colored sauce

Malayalam took us by surprise as we turned up at their opening time of 5.30 on a Saturday evening without a booking and the place was fully booked. Luckily they managed to fit us in as long as we vacated our table by 7.00 which was fine. The menu is not your usual Indian variety but a really good selection of “different” and excellent Indian cuisine. It’s difficult to comment on the style of cooking as it was our first visit, but my wife & I loved everything we ordered and the servers were excellent too. We would highly recommend Malayalam but probably better to book in advance

This was a repeat visit for us as we were so happy with the food and service we had had previously. I have to recommend the seafood soup (more of a chowder) to start - the taste is incredible!! And the beef curry is out of this world. We were served by Ashmiya who is just so lovely and could not have been more helpful. The whole team are extremely warm and welcoming, and they genuinely want every customer to love their food and have a great time. And we did!

Oh my word what a feast! We had the set menu thing. So well priced, well prepared & well served. Thank you. Looking for an excuse to go back!

My husband found this restaurant on line, so we visited for his birthday. We must have walked past many times but not noticed it as it does look quite dark from outside. We went at lunch time and was pleased to find it quite busy. The food was lovely, we were told that both of our main courses were medium but mine was a little more spicy than my husband's meal. The service was excellent and we enjoyed our meal. We will visit again.

I love this place for its delicious food and lovely staff. Ashmiya was so sweet and made sure we were happy with everything. Food is super authentic, tastes like homemade Keralan dishes I tasted in India. Highly recommend!!!

Food : excellent food and large portions Service : waiter Estha was TOP! We recommend this restaurant to good food lovers 😋👌👍

A very filling and enjoyable meal. The three of us met first in the Belgian Cafe 100 metres up the road (Terminus Road) for a drink at 6 pm and then to the table booked for 7 pm. We were very promptly served first for drinks and then our meal orders. I had a large glass of house red, my wife a bottle of Pinot grigio which we shared and my friend a pint of Cobra lager. I had a great lamb curry and my wife and I shared a Paratha and rice. The placed filled up we ate and fairly soon there were 20 diners! total for 3 was £89 which was good value. I will try this place again!

A brilliant meal. Estha served us with kindness and was highly attentive. The chefs did an amazing job of our dinner. Keralan food is just epic!

Malayam is the real thing! A genuine family run business still cooking with mum’s traditional recipes from Kerala. Each dish is packed with amazing melt in your mouth flavours and the atmosphere is always as warm and welcoming as the food.

Had a wonderful lunch here today. Our waiter Estha was brilliant and explained the dishes really well. It was our first time, but we will be returning for sure.

Great vegetarian food. Good options available and reasonably priced. From memory, it tasted like I was back in Kerala. If Kerala cuisine is new to you (but you're used to 'Indian' food, just be aware that it isn't as spicy and the bread is more like pancakes. But this is😊😊

This was our 5th or 6th time here for lunch and it has been excellent every time. The service is very friendly and efficient. The food is absolutely delicious and freshly cooked and spiciness can be asjusted. Also there are plenty of choices for vegans. We can't wait to eat here again.

We usually eat at a conventional Indian restaurant but thought we’d try something different, namely Malayalam, as it has such good reviews. We were greeted by Estha who served us with a smile, which made us feel we were welcome. He was very efficient, and described the different curries in the tali to us. The food was excellent, extremely tasty and more than enough. The service was first class with no sitting around waiting for the next course. The restaurant is bright and welcoming. We shall definitely go again to lunch and for dinner to try some different curries.

An excellent meal, great service, helpful staff, pleasant surroundings. Keralan cuisine subtly different to most Indian local restaurants. This was our first visit - it won't be the last.

Great food wonderful service, we were a party of 24 but they managed to serve us all together southern Indian so subtly different

Such a lovely meal! A table for 22 is not easy but you made it look effortless! You made my other half’s 50th! Thank you for being so accommodating & for such a wonderful evening!

This restaurant was amazing. The food was a beautiful mix of spices and nothing like the normal run of the mill Indian. You must visit and taste the wonderful cuisine. You will not be disappointed. Estha was a fantastic waiter and made us feel very welcome.

Just been for our second visit, and this restaurant is MUCH cheaper than a flight to Southern India. Look out management - I am moving in any day soon now!

Truly outstanding Keralan food - loads of fragrant spices - cardamom, black pepper - gorgeous. Felt healthy, not oily, and the flavours were really fresh and vivid. The black pepper chicken was outstanding, as were the lentil and spinach curry, and the chicken biryani was the best any of us had ever had. Really good traditional desserts too - all new to us. Also, the service was impeccable.

Estha made our visit to celebrate a birthday so special. Amazing food and warm welcome- with birthday excitement too! Thank you- we will be back soon.

We first visited Malayalam for dinner last night and had a superb meal. We ate the onion fritters, egg roast, crab masala and beef curry and all were properly reminiscent of meals in Kerala. Egg roast and crab masala were particularly good. Felt like the chef and staff all care about the experience of its guests, and we had a warm welcome and friendly service. Estha was our waiter and he was a delight.

Takeaway. Best ever..as a veggie/vegan family we are used to being palmed off with rubbish value frozen veg in a curry sauce. First time ordering a takeaway from Malayalam. The flavours are incredible. Clearly fresh produce. Chef obviously cares about what they’re providing. Just the...

A truly special evening spent at Malayalam with great service, lovely atmosphere and exceptional food. Can’t wait to come back!

Gorgeous authentic food with wonderful service. Estha was wonderful taking us through all the options. Highly recommend! Wish they’d dim the lights though! But bright for a Friday night!

Fantastic Lamb curry cooked with great spices & a medium heat. The Staff member who served me was very polite and helpful when I asked what he recommended.

Lovely restaurant, very welcoming when you arrive. The staff very attentive and helpful explaining the menu when we asked . The food is delicious,authentic and healthy !!! Estha who greeted and served us was absolutely charming. We will definitely go back again for another enjoyable...

Superb ambience, service and value. Food and wine was excellent, perfect evening all round. Looking forward to returning soon.

Oh my goodness the breakfast is amazing - especially if you're following the Zoe nutrition programme! Really delicious, refreshingly different - AND healthy! Highly recommended.

Excellent service and lovely food. South Indian cusisine is different from the food served in most British 'curry houses'. Very flavoursome; their chicken biryani (a dry, layered biryani) was very different from North Indian biryanis.

One of the very best Indian restaurants in the south of England. Very good (different) food and friendly service. Highly recommended

Excellent food and service. We had the feast menu which was great, lots of spices infused together wonderfully. A lovely night out.

Everything is awesome food, very good thali and starters. Very good receiving by restaurant people and kind

We recently went to this restraint to try out a different style of food and we were both blown away by the flavours in the dishes, we had a lamb curry, a duck curry and a coconut rice. The staff were lovely and explained the...

Well. They did it again! The guys at this restaurant have service at their heart. We were warmly greeted and shown to our table- we asked to be moved due to a large rowdy party going on near us and this was no problem! The...

A rare find - a quality Indian restaurant in East Sussex and not just any old Indian restaurant, this is a genuine Keralan restaurant such as you find in southern India. First rate food at reasonable prices. Quite a treat and with very efficient and...

We dropped in on the off-chance as we had never tried southern Indian food before. We hadn't booked but were warmly greeted and accommodated on a Saturday night! The food was excellent. My partner had the chef's special and I, being a vegan, often have...

Absolutely delicious,delicate flavours,tender and probably the most beautiful food I have eaten for a long time. You can taste the flavours and colours of Kerala. I would come back every day if I could. Amazing 👏

My husband and I are good cooks and begrudge paying out at restaurants and being disappointed . This time every mouthful Was popping with flavour it’s a must for something different rather than the normal curry or Chinese night out.

Stunning authentic Indian food, good wine and excellent service. It took me back to a beautiful trip with my sister to Kerola many years ago. I will definitely go again.

Incredible vibe and wonderful staff. Perfect for vegetarians all wanting to share a feast! I can see why this is rated Eastbourne’s best restaurant.

This place is literally amazing! I have eaten at Indian restaurants all over the world and all over the UK and this is right up there. The food is sensational and a million miles above the usual oily boring curry houses you find everywhere. If...

Yesterday my wife and I visited Malayalam for the first time for a celebration meal. Such a pleasure to experience South Indian Kerala food rather than the predictable Indian restaurant menu seen and enjoyed everywhere else. Food was excellent and plenty of items spotted on...

Superb lunch - we had a couple of mains off the main menu and a couple of Lunch deals to share. Very tasty lovely service and the restaurant is a beautiful setting! Will come again!

Very good and enjoyed trying new things and flavours! For lunchtime I’m definitely going back but for dinner 🍽️

We went for lunch and had superb service, clean restaurant, and the food was out of this world. Melt in the mouth meat in the biriyanis and wonderful spices in the rice and curries.

We all ordered the Malayalam Special Mazhavillu. The curries start from something light and sour to something heavy and meaty. I can taste the love in the food from different spices and how well balanced the spices is. Good value. Toilet is clean. I love...

Absolutely fantastic food in a charming & friendly place. You won’t often get this type of Indian food in this country so it’s definitely worth a visit.

Heard good reports, went with friends and very pleased with the experience. The Keralan menu was an interesting contrast to more conventional Indian restaurants and the food was really delicious and definitely different.Excellent spicing and great depth of flavours for all our dishes. There is...

We were just passing and recognised the Keralan script so popped in for lunch. What a great find! Lovely authentic food and friendly service took us straight back to the backwaters and hills of that beautiful country. If we’re ever in Eastbourne again, we will...

After a student trip around Southern India, we developed a love for South Indian food and this restaurant provides an excellent and rare reminder of just how delicious Kerala dishes are. Excellent food, strongly recommended!

The food was delicious and the staff were attentive, also the interior of the restaurant was attractive.

Stunning, delicious food. Ordered a takeaway. Brilliant value & flavour. Had a takeaway saver chicken feast, Swarga Kozhi, Kerala Puffs & Nalikera Choru. Perfect for two people. Highly recommended. Keep up the amazing cuisine.

Fabulous food , with really interesting menu options we went for the tasting platters and felt it was good value ( we couldn’t eat it all) . The veggie soup was very very spicy but it did wake up my taste buds for the main...

Booked for Saturday night and we were given warm welcome and cosy seats .The atmosphere was electric the restaurant was fully packed but still we got five star service.staff were very helpful with the amazing menu that they have .The meal was super delicious the...

Second time in Malayalam Restaurant . Everyone has to go there and enjoy the spot with tasty food. The service was so amazing and very polite. The ambience of the Restaurant is so welcoming. we had a 3 course meal and its quality from starter...

The staff were pleasant however the food was ultimately disappointing. Would be very, very reluctant to return. Prices were fine.

Very delicately spiced authentic keralan cuisine. Great service Highly recommend a visit Attentive staff pleasant atmosphere

Three of us for a midweek meal. Restaurant was busy but we had booked. My starter was a vegetarian dosa which was excellent but a bit large! Main course was the special which was biryani with King Fish, really good. Service was spot on. This...

Been here for dinner twice and once for breakfast during our stay at Eastbourne, the food has been absolutely delicious all times. With very balanced flavours, authentic taste, warm, welcoming staff and nice ambiance, we highly recommend this place.

We were suggested Malayalam by some friends at a pub. As my partner need to have a gluten free diet and a vegan, we were confused but they were excellent at accommodating us. We got our dishes recommended by the servers there and all were...

I've eaten plenty of Indian food than probably any other cuisine and I have to say the meal we had at Malayalam was great meal as ever had. Friendly polite service presenting fresh aromatic delicious meal. Malayalam is now on our list of places to...

Excellent food. I really like it. I ordered fish in banana leaf and beef that was so amazing and tasty. We enjoyed every single bite of the food. High quality food and reasonable prices. Highly recommend to all.

Staff very pleasant but the food was beyond poor. Poppadoms were the worst I’ve ever had in my life, 3 sauces- one tasteless, one bitter and the best one was bland. Starters- had a reasonably nice flavour but were soggy and over done at the...

We went to Malayalam on a Friday evening and the place was buzzing. Our order was taken by the extremely friendly staff and the food arrived in no time. Masala Dosas are not often seen on Indian restaurant menus so those were a must. Light...

I had been on the hunt for a spot that could satisfy my cravings for delectable beef and appam, and my search finally led me to the Malayalam restaurant. Let me tell you, this place is a hidden gem for South Indian cuisine enthusiasts. Their...

We came to Malayalam for the first time tonight. When we first arrived we were greeted by our host who very quickly directed us to our seats. The menu was very varied and contained new dishes we had never experienced before. We ordered and sat...

Fish wrapped in banana leaf served with Kerala rice and spiced potato, superb , tasty and just the right spice. Accompanied with a cold beer.

Three of us visited this wonderful restaurant for dinner and highly recommend it We ordered the rasam, so good. The chicken biryani, okra, dal and saag paneer were divine, as a family we are used to highly spiced food and this is exactly what we...

We went for lunch (for the second time) and once again it was totally delicious. First time we had the set lunch which was a really tastyselection of dishes. This time we chose from the à la carte menu. (It was so difficult to decide...

We stopped here because we liked the look of the restaurant and wanted to sit outside on a warm evening in September. The food was amazing, lovely service from friendly staff, very authentic curry and rice dishes like we've never tasted before! Five star!

Lovely lunch at this pleasant restaurant on the street of independent shops which joins station to seafront. All dishes showcase the cuisine of Kerala, from which the owners hail. If you're inclined to always order the same few dishes on an Indian menu, allow yourself...

This is possibly the best Indian food i have had outside of India. Everything about the experience was just simply great. Food was divine and the service was impeccable. Definitely my go to place locally for Indian food.

A nice variation on the Indian restaurant theme. The food was delicious and tailored to the individual taste. A good atmosphere and excellent service at a reasonable price.

Had a most delicious meal. Every dish of the three course set menu was superb and different, and the service was excellent

Every time I am on a visit in England I visit at least one Indian restaurant. This visit I was in Eastbourne and found Malayalam online having very good reviews. These reviews are correct. They serve food from their native area in India, Kerala. This...

The restaurant served great South Indian food. We went for lunch. The friendly staff recommended a set menu of a dosa pancake with little dishes to go with it. I had the vegetarian option and it was delicious! The rest of the menu looked good...

Amazing experience, fresh and delicious food, reasonably priced, lovely spot outside and service was incredible, especially from Esthia

The menu has a lot of interesting choices and lots of information about each dish. Service is excellent really friendly and not intrusive. The food was superb, fresh and a little different which was nice.

Went here for the first time on Saturday evening. Very busy, just as well that we had booked. I had the fish served in the banana leaf. This was probably the most authentic South Indian curry I have had outside of Kerala. Wife had Kottappallil...

The food never disappoints. The special main (king prawn molly) was the best curry that I have ever experienced. It is great to have an authentic Keralan Indian in Eastbourne

The Masala dosa was ok, slightly below average. We are from London where we have a vast selection of South Indian restaurants such as Saravana Bhavans, Sagar and Chennai Sri Lalitha, so we expected the dosa to be of a similar standard. The dosa itself...

A very enjoyable evening with family for our son’s birthday. Great service and tasty food. We enjoyed all of the dishes and were very impressed with the variety of vegan options available and enjoyed all those we sampled.

Service and food were outstanding. It is very much an Indian restaurant in style - i.e. a bit plain. However, don't let that put you off, The service was outstanding as was the food - as one of our party put it, "as close as...

Very good experience with Malayalam restaurants. Excellent customer service and they provide tasty food. Variety of flavors. Pleasant atmosphere. Highly recommended to everyone.

Unimpressed! Despite many good reviews I wasn’t impressed with anything about this restaurant. I was seated close to the door despite it not being busy. I asked for poppadoms and was told that I had to have a minimum of 4! I was eating alone!...

Husband and I dashed in for their Fast track lunch today Wed Aug 2 2023. Excellent cuisine, lots of different and even delicate flavours in the vegetarian FT lunch option that we had, which included a beautifully prepared dosa, perfectly cooked plain basmati rice, and...

The food served at Malayalam is full of flavours from a taste-world relatively rarely encountered in the UK, Kerala. Each of our dishes had its own combination of tastes. If you’re within travel distance to Eastbourne, Malayalam is a good reason to travel there!

Incredible! Hidden gem that everyone should know about! We took recommendations for main course and it did not disappoint. If you love seafood soup… this is the place to be, the most flavoursome starter ever. We will definitely return and recommend. Flavours out of this...

Delicious Kerelan food Very original not the usual type of menu. Lots of vegetarian and fish options - highly recommended

Apart from the miserable looking man at the counter this was top rate. A lovely gently spiced veggie 'dish of the day', with a Dosa to top it off.' Loved the selection of little dishes with different tastes. Lots of Asian people dining which proves...

Fabulous restaurant in the shopping area of Eastbourne not far from seafront. The food was amazing and the staff excellent. We recommend pre-booking, especially at weekends as very busy and we noted walk-ins being turned away as restaurant full. There were pavement tables outside if...