The short answer
Chrissie's Cafe: what visitors should know first
Yes, especially for breakfast: the buffet and rooftop setting make it one of Kumily's more relaxed places to eat, useful after an early boat ride when you want something other than another curry. Reserve for dinner in high season, as tables fill.
Useful facts
Chrissie's Cafe facts at a glance
- Location
- Thekkady bypass road, Kumily
- Dining style
- Rooftop cafe, buffet breakfast and a la carte
- Price signal
- Mid-range for Kumily
- Signature order
- Try: the breakfast buffet or a Middle Eastern main
- Good for
- Post-boat-ride breakfast, a change from Kerala thalis
Why it matters
Why Chrissie's Cafe is worth your time
In a town whose restaurant scene is mostly built around Kerala and South Indian staples for good reason, Chrissie's Cafe fills a specific gap for travellers who want variety partway through a longer Kerala trip, and its rooftop position makes it one of the few spots in Kumily with an actual view to eat by.
Its long-running presence and consistent reviews also make it a safer bet than trying an unfamiliar roadside place after a long day in the reserve, particularly for families or older travellers who prefer a predictable, comfortable dining room over exploring blind.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Breakfast buffet
A substantial spread popular with guests coming straight from the early Periyar boat cruise.
- 02
Middle Eastern and continental menu
Homemade breads and Middle Eastern dishes offer a genuine change from Kerala's coconut-based curries.
- 03
Rooftop views
Seating above the surrounding rooflines gives one of Kumily's better outlooks over the town and hills.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Chrissie's Cafe sits on the roof of Chrissie's Hotel on the Thekkady bypass road and has built a following less for Kerala cuisine than for a homemade continental and Middle Eastern menu, an unusual mix in a town otherwise dominated by South Indian and Kerala fare. The breakfast buffet is the best-known draw, popular with guests coming straight off an early Periyar boat cruise who want a substantial, familiar meal.
The rooftop setting gives views over Kumily and the surrounding hills, and the kitchen's range extends to homemade breads, hummus and Middle Eastern dishes alongside more familiar continental options, a useful break if you have been eating Kerala thalis for several days straight. Service tends to be relaxed rather than fast, which suits the cafe's role as a place to linger over a view rather than grab a quick bite.
It works well bookended around a cultural evening in Kumily: an early dinner here before a Kathakali or Kalaripayattu show a short distance away keeps the evening simple without much travel between stops.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Reserve for dinner in December–February peak season
- Ask about lift access if rooftop stairs are a concern
- Arrive early for breakfast during the busiest boat-ride hours
- Confirm current menu and hours directly with the cafe
- Pair with an evening show nearby to avoid extra travel
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Thekkady bypass road, on the roof of Chrissie's Hotel, Kumily
- Time needed
- 45–90 minutes for a meal
- Best time
- Breakfast, right after a morning boat ride, or dinner in the cooler evening air
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Rooftop seating is reached by stairs or a lift depending on the building's layout; ask staff about lift access if stairs are difficult, and request a table away from the open edge if a view isn't essential.
- Tickets and access
- No booking needed for breakfast, but dinner reservations are worth making in the December–February peak season, either by phone or through your hotel.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Chrissie's Cafe
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Rooftop seating is reached by stairs or a lift depending on the building's layout; ask staff about lift access if stairs are difficult, and request a table away from the open edge if a view isn't essential.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Chrissie's Cafe good for breakfast after the Periyar boat cruise?
Yes, its breakfast buffet is one of the more popular options in Kumily for exactly that timing.
Does Chrissie's Cafe serve Kerala food?
Its menu leans continental and Middle Eastern rather than traditional Kerala cuisine, which is part of its appeal as a change of pace.
Do I need a reservation?
Not usually for breakfast, but booking ahead for dinner is worth it during the December to February peak season.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.