Kayees Rahmathulla Cafe
A no-frills Halal restaurant famous for its authentic, generations-old Kochi-style mutton biryani.
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Kayees Rahmathulla Cafe
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A no-frills Halal restaurant famous for its authentic, generations-old Kochi-style mutton biryani.
Arrive Early for Mutton Biryani
Mutton biryani is highly sought after; arrive before 2:30 PM or even earlier to ensure availability.
Parking Challenges
Parking is difficult, especially for cars. Consider parking further away and walking during busy times.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Indian
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+91 98460 41234
Address
Gujarati Rd, Near Gujarati Temple, Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala 682002, India
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Kochi Style Biryani
Savor generations-old recipes of mutton biryani that melt in your mouth. A true taste of Kerala.
Mutton Biriyani Melts in Your Mouth
Experience the unique, tender flavors of mutton biryani, a dish that's a nostalgic treat for many.
Generational Flavors
Established in 1951, this cafe serves iconic chicken and mutton biryanis passed down through generations.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early for Mutton Biryani
Mutton biryani is highly sought after; arrive before 2:30 PM or even earlier to ensure availability.
Parking Challenges
Parking is difficult, especially for cars. Consider parking further away and walking during busy times.
Pocket-Friendly Portions
Enjoy a satisfying meal with generous portions at an affordable price.
No Vegetarian Options
Biryani is available in chicken, mutton, and beef. There are no vegetarian biryani choices.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early for Mutton Biryani
Mutton biryani is highly sought after; arrive before 2:30 PM or even earlier to ensure availability.
Parking Challenges
Parking is difficult, especially for cars. Consider parking further away and walking during busy times.
Pocket-Friendly Portions
Enjoy a satisfying meal with generous portions at an affordable price.
No Vegetarian Options
Biryani is available in chicken, mutton, and beef. There are no vegetarian biryani choices.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Kayees Rahmathulla Cafe is celebrated for its authentic Kochi-style biryani, particularly the mutton variety, which many describe as melt-in-your-mouth delicious and a nostalgic experience. While the food is praised for its unique flavors and generous portions at affordable prices, some reviewers note a decline in quality over the years. The cafe's simple ambiance and challenging parking situation are also commonly mentioned.
"It was a great experience dining here. From here, We had a Mutton Biriyani and Chicken biriyani from here. Both of them was so delicious and melt it mouth. Just felt very nostalgic Authentic Kochi style biriyani. Chicken in the biriyani was well cooked and very soft. The rice was also very flavorful and soft. I prefer Mutton over chicken here. Mutton was very soft, succulent and so flavorful. The flavor of the mutton went well into biriyani and given biriyani a beautiful flavor. It just went like melt in mouth. It came along with nostalgic lemon pickle, dates pickle and pickled onion and pappadom. Even though it came with this much sides, I felt like the biriyanis served here can be finished without any sides. One of the most iconic and delicious biriyani in Kochi. It is that biriyani which is still a nostalgia. This place is situated in a very narrow road and hence parking will be an issue. So at peak time it is better to keep your vehicle safe somewhere a walk to here. Highly Recommended for that Authentic Kochi style biriyani. It is an old restaurant which still maintains that heritage so dont expect fancy interiors. It is a place with a minimal and heritage interior but serves some delicious dishes with great quality."
Nikhil Attuvallil
"Gone there for Mutton biriyani , was late to reach . Got delicious chicken biriyani. No place to park. You will be lucky to find parking space on the way . Good food."
Visakh Vp
"Tried the Kayees Mutton Biriyani recently. Taste-wise, it really hit the spot — rich, flavorful, and aromatic. The biriyani was a little on the oily side, but it didn’t take away much from the overall experience.
🍽️ Quantity was just right for one person.
🍛 Sides included dates pickle, regular pickle, and raita — all of which complemented the biriyani well.
🪑 Ambience: Comfortable seating with a decent crowd.
👨🍳 Service was prompt and courteous.
💸 Price: ₹260 — very affordable for the taste and quality."
Goutham Vijay
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The cafe is most famous for its authentic Kochi-style biryani, especially the mutton biryani, which is a recipe passed down through generations.
No, the cafe primarily serves non-vegetarian biryanis, including chicken, mutton, and beef.
It's recommended to arrive early, particularly before 2:30 PM, to ensure availability of the popular mutton biryani.
Parking can be challenging, especially for four-wheelers. It's advisable to find parking a short walk away during peak hours.
The cafe has a no-frills, minimal, and heritage interior. It's a simple space focused on serving delicious food.
Yes, reviewers mention that the portions are generous and pocket-friendly, often suggesting one serving can be shared.
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Kayees Rahmathulla Café is a well-known gem in Kochi, famous for its mouthwatering Malabar cuisine. This café is particularly beloved for its sulaimani tea and Kerala-style biryani, both of which are perfect for breakfast or an early lunch. The café offers a glimpse into the rich culinary traditions of the Malabar region, and it’s an excellent place to experience the authentic flavors of Kerala.
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Eating at Kayees Rahmathulla Cafe, popularly known as ‘Kayikkante Biriyani’, itself has to be one of the best things to do in Fort Kochi. Established in 1951 by one V K Kayee – a cook for the British Army – this restaurant serves delicious chicken and mutton biryanis. The biryani recipe has apparently been passed down, generation after generation, making it a Kochi famous food.
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This restaurant in the port city of Kochi has a history that goes with city’s culture. You trip to Kochi would be incomplete without trying Kayees’ famous mutton biryani. This iconic spot has been serving up this dish for generations, and it’s totally worth the hype.
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