You might have already come across dipictions, articles, social media posts about Malnad region in Karnataka. There are several prominent things about this region that you can find information online. We are trying to outline things that you wont get to see everywhere. Being a Malnadiga im very proud to write this peice of article for a reputed and most genuine travel portal from the roots of Malnad Karnataka. The dream vacation to Malnad is one aspect of wrting a travel diairy about the region. Another perspective is little philsophical that a few of us get connected to when to comes to Nature. We all get spiritual, nature lovers, story tellers when travel the world.
Malnad is a different genre of travel that you can think of. The lanscapes of the region are so rich with cultural backdrop and touch of philosphy. The beauty of Malnad is not just the nature in it but its people. They are naturally the best hosts that you can imagine when you go on a holiday. The reason i picked to write this article for TravelMalnad.com is because they have been striving since 2008 to deliver best hospitality by genuine hosts of Malnad region to the people the world.
Malnad as a region
The region comprises several districts like Coorg, Chikmagalur, Hassan and Shimoga. The list of destinations for travel in this region are unlimited. There are several unexplored places as well that Travel Malnad keeps introducing every now and then. There are Taluks and Villages like Thirthahalli, Madikeri, Sakleshpur, Agumbe, Sringeri, Horanadu... that are most loved by travelers visiting for different reasons.
Food in Malnad
Once you decide to visit Malnad region you will be offered with several stay and food options by TravelMalnad.com. All you need to know is call or whatsapp their customer support and give your requirement so that your travel arrangements are meticulously and cost effectively planned and given to you. Food plays a major role in any travel planner and Malnad cuisines are just mouth watering. You will get to taste traditional Malnad cuisines at Malnad Homestays offered by Travel Malnad.
Traditional Breakfast Specialties
Akki Oti / Akki Rotti: Crisp, thin flatbreads made from rice flour dough, often seasoned with fresh dill leaves, finely chopped onions, and green chilies, baked on a clay or iron tawa.
Kotte Kadabu / Idli: Rice batter steamed inside woven jackfruit leaf baskets or teak leaves, imparting a subtle woody aroma to the soft cakes.
Halasina Pandi / Halasina Kadabu: Steamed sweet or savory rice dumplings layered with tender or ripe jackfruit pulp, wrapped in banana or teak leaves.
Neer Dosa: Ultra-thin, lacy crepes prepared from a light batter of soaked rice and coconut, served alongside hot coconut chutney or jaggery syrup.
Shavige (Rice Noodes): Hand-pressed, steamed rice noodles served either sweet (with fresh coconut milk and jaggery) or savory (tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies).
Benne Kadabu: Pillowy, soft steamed rice-flour dumplings infused with generous amounts of fresh farm butter (benne).
Signature Mains & Curries
Midigayi Uppinakai & Gojju: Tangy, spicy curry made using whole tender green mangoes (midigayi) preserved in brine and slow-cooked in a spiced mustard paste.
Kani / Kalale Curry: A seasonal monsoon delicacy made with tender wild bamboo shoots (kalale), soaked to remove bitterness and cooked in a coconut-mustard gravy.
Bende Majjige Huli: Tender okra cooked in a light, fragrant buttermilk-based coconut gravy tempered with cumin, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.
Halasina Kayi Palya: Savory, dry stir-fry made from raw, unripe jackfruit seasoned with ground spices and freshly grated coconut.
Huralikayi & Hurali Saaru: Nutritious, slow-simmered soups and curries brewed from roasted horse gram (hurali), prized for its warming properties during heavy monsoons.
Non-Vegetarian Delicacies
Nati Koli Saaru: Country chicken cooked in a rich, dark gravy made with dry-roasted whole spices, black pepper, poppy seeds, and fresh coconut, traditionally paired with Akki Rotti or Kadabu.
Kaada Koli Roast: Dry-marinated farm or game chicken roasted with freshly crushed black pepper, garlic, and wild herbs.
Meenu Saaru & Fry: Fresh river or tank fish simmered in a tangy coconut-tamarind gravy infused with green chilies and coriander stems.
Mutton Curry Malnad Style: Mutton slow-cooked in a coriander-and-green-chili green paste broth.
Chutneys, Herbal Tonics & Sides
Tambuli (Tambli): A soothing, uncooked cold soup made by grinding medicinal greens or spices (such as Brahmi, Ondelaga, ginger, toasted cumin, or pepper) with fresh coconut, mixed into seasoned buttermilk.
Mavinkayi Gojju: A sweet, sour, and spicy gravy made from ripe or semi-ripe local mangoes simmered with jaggery, dry red chilies, and sesame.
Heerekai Eerulli Chutney: Roasted ridge gourd peel and shallot chutney blended with garlic, tamarind, and red chilies.
Traditional Sweets & Beverages
Halasina Hollige: Flatbreads stuffed with a sweet filling of mashed ripe jackfruit, jaggery, and cardamom.
Kayirasa / Hasirasa: A sweet rice dish or payasam prepared with freshly extracted coconut milk, raw jaggery, and cardamom.
Kashaya: A caffeine-free herbal hot drink brewed from roasted coriander seeds, cumin, fennel, pepper, and dry ginger, sweetened with jaggery and mixed with hot milk.
Filter Coffee: Dark-roasted, chicory-blended coffee brewed in traditional drip filters, boiled with fresh whole milk.
Hidden destinations of Malnad
While popular Malnad destinations like Mullayanagiri, Jog Falls, and Madikeri draw heavy tourist footfall, the deep Western Ghats of the Malnad region house several pristine, offbeat, and lesser-known gems.
Hidden Forts & Ruins
Kavaledurga Fort (Thirthahalli, Shivamogga): A 9th-century hill fort built by the Keladi Nayakas, hidden deep within dense rainforests. The trail leads past seven concentric stone walls, ancient step-wells, moss-covered temple ruins, and a panoramic summit overlooking the Varahi reservoir backwaters.
Nagara Fort (Hosanagara, Shivamogga): Built on a elevated site in the 16th century by Shivappa Nayaka, this granite fort features unique water harvesting systems, intricate watchtowers, and underground chambers that remain overlooked compared to coastal forts.
Ballalarayana Durga Fort & Rani Jhari Viewpoint (Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru): Perched atop a isolated peak in the Western Ghats, this 12th-century Hoysala fort is accessible via an offbeat trek through grasslands. The adjacent Rani Jhari cliff offers dramatic, perpendicular drops into the Netravathi valley below.
Secluded Lakes, Backwaters & Rivers
Ayyana Kere (Chikkamagaluru / Kadur border): The second-largest irrigation lake in Karnataka, built during the Hoysala era at the base of the Baba Budan range. Surrounded by towering hills, it features a unique pyramid-like bund structure and remains quiet compared to Hirekolale Lake.
Honnemaradu Backwaters (Sagar, Shivamogga): Situated on the backwaters of the Sharavathi River, this secluded island hamlet is a hidden sanctuary for birdwatchers and quiet watersports (coracle rides and kayaking), free from commercial motorboats.
Amba Theertha & Elaneeru (Kalasa, Chikkamagaluru): Tucked away along the Bhadra River, Amba Theertha features natural river pools carved into massive granite rock formations. Nearby, the secluded Elaneeru Falls drops down step-like mossy rocks deep inside village plantation paths.
Pristine Peaks & Rainforest Trails
Devaramane (Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru): A quiet hamlet featuring rolling green Shola-grassland hills centered around the ancient Kalabhairaveshwara Temple. Its undulating ridges offer landscape views similar to the popular peaks without the crowded trails.
Kudumari (Chakai) & Koosalli Waterfalls (Interior Uttara Kannada / Udupi Border): Hidden within the dense, high-rainfall evergreen forest zones, these multi-tiered waterfalls require guided forest treks through slippery streams and canopy cover, keeping mass tourism at bay.
Kyathanamakki Hill Station (Horanadu / Kalasa): An isolated, 360-degree hilltop grassland ridge reachable primarily via 4x4 off-road tracks. It offers clear views of the surrounding mist-covered ghat valleys stretching toward the coast.