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KOZHIKODE | 23 DECEMBER 2025
Every January, a quiet transformation takes over Kozhikode. The sea breeze feels charged with conversation, cafés brim, and the beach becomes a temporary home for some of the world’s most compelling literary minds. From January 22 to 25, 2026, Kozhikode, India’s first UNESCO City of Literature will host the Kerala Literature Festival. Billed as Asia’s largest and the world’s most attended literary conclave KLF 2026 will host 17 countries, 650,000+ visitors, 400+ speakers, 250+ sessions and Germany as the Guest Nation.
Kozhikode, a historic city in North Kerala, is celebrated for its rich tapestry of culture, history, and literature. Known as the spice capital of the world since ancient times, Kozhikode gained prominence when Vasco da Gama first landed here in 1498, establishing the city as a gateway for trade and cultural exchange. The city’s vibrant culinary scene, earning it the title of South India’s food capital, mirrors its diverse heritage, with 17 communities from across India settling here centuries ago for trade and economic activities.
The city’s literary heritage is rooted in its historical openness under the rule of the Zamorins, fostering an inclusive environment conducive to intellectual and cultural exchanges. Kozhikode’s legacy is further enriched by literary giants such as Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and Thunjath Ezhuthachan, whose works have elevated Malayalam literature to global acclaim. Their influence, alongside that of numerous writers, poets, and scholars, has shaped Kozhikode into a vibrant hub for literary excellence.
Some of the notable attendees at KLF 2026 include Nobel Laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah, Olga Tokarczuk, and Abhijit Banerjee, Booker Prize winner Kiran Desai, Olympian Ben Johnson, business leader Indra Nooyi, artist and illustrator Cheyenne Olivier, writer Gabriela Ybarra, economist Arvind Subramanian, linguist and author Peggy Mohan, author and columnist Shobhaa De, writer and former diplomat Amish Tripathi, actor and singer Piyush Mishra, curator Helen Molesworth, writer and activist Banu Mushtaq, writer and journalist Deepa Bhasthi, celebrated essayist Pico Iyer, renowned environmental activist Dr. Vandana Shiva, Jnanpith award-winning writer Pratibha Ray, eminent historian Romila Thapar, acclaimed novelist Anita Nair, noted Telugu author Volga, conservation biologist and writer Neha Sinha, actor and social commentator Prakash Raj, author-diplomat Pavan K. Varma, and author, parliamentarian and public intellectual Dr. Shashi Tharoor.
For those you love travel, culture, ideas, music, performances, or simply the pleasure of exploring a city through its food and neighbourhoods, Kozhikode during the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) is one of the most atmospheric destinations you can experience in India.
Here’s everything one can see, taste and take home while they are in Kozhikode.
Places to Visit:
Gujarati Street
A mosaic of old trading houses, spice stores, heritage cafés, and pastel-toned façades. Ideal for slow evening walks, people-watching, and picking up local snacks and curios. It is similar to the township of Fort Kochi.
Kuttichira & Tali Heritage Quarters
These neighbourhoods reveal Kozhikode’s multicultural past—centuries-old mosques, traditional Kerala homes, tiled roofs, and the historic Tali temple. Perfect for travellers who love intimate heritage walks.
Beypore Uru Making
One of Kozhikode’s most extraordinary experiences. Watch master craftsmen build massive wooden Uru boats by hand—an art that has survived for centuries. The shipyards feel timeless, meditative, and almost cinematic.
Regional Science Centre and Planetarium
The Regional Science Centre and Planetarium in Kozhikode is a hub of scientific learning and exploration. With the Science Centre located nearby, it offers an exciting and educational experience, making it a must-visit for families, students, and science enthusiasts.
Kadalundi Estuary
A serene, bird-filled landscape where the river meets the sea. Visit early morning for glassy waters, migratory birds, and a sense of stillness that contrasts beautifully with the bustle of KLF.
Elathur & Chaliyar River Cruise
A must for slow travellers. These waters offer a calm, green escape—mangroves, quiet backwaters, and the gentle movement of Kerala’s river life.
Smrithipadham
A modernized cemetery set within a garden, reimagined as a cultural and social space. It offers places to sit for coffee, hosts public events and book readings, and was notably the first of its kind to host book launches.
S.M. Street:
Kozhikode’s iconic shopping and food street halwa shops, banana chips, handloom stores, and the vibrant energy of a marketplace that has existed for generations.
Bookshops
The City of Literature features a large number of bookshops spread across the city, with a major concentration around the stadium area. It also hosts an exclusive permanent KLF bookstore with a dedicated discussion space, promoted by DC Books and active throughout the year.
Basheer’s Residence
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s Beypore home, known as Beypore Sulthan’s House or Vailalil Veedu, is a preserved and much-visited site where he lived and wrote. It stands as a living testament to his life and a key stop in Kerala’s literary tourism.
Where to Eat:
Kozhikode is a feast. Every corner, every stall, every family-run eatery tells a delicious story.
Paragon & M-Grill
Paragon remains Kozhikode’s culinary landmark, famous for its velvety Malabar biryani, crisp seafood, and decades-old legacy that locals treat almost like a ritual. Its sibling, M-Grill, brings a more contemporary menu with global grills and refined plating, making it perfect for an indulgent evening after a day of sessions at KLF.
Edayilae Hotel, Kuttichira
This unpretentious, always-buzzing eatery is open round the clock and beloved for its homely Malabari staples served fresh, fast, and fuss-free. It’s the kind of place writers adore — comforting, authentic, and deeply rooted in Kozhikode’s old-town charm.
Sagar Hotel
A favourite for biryani loyalists, Sagar delivers bold flavours, aromatic rice, and perfectly spiced fish fry that has become a local legend. Ideal for travellers seeking that classic Kozhikode hit of heat, crunch, and nostalgia.
Puka – The Smoke House
Known for its smoked meats, Puka brings a modern, edgy dining experience to Kozhikode. Their pulled beef and brisket are slow-cooked perfection, making it a great dinner stop for those who love robust flavours and craft-driven cooking.
Lissy, Karanthoor
Lissy’s is where you go for a quintessential Kerala-style lunch — piping hot rice, tangy curries, and some of the freshest seafood in the region. Its no-frills ambience only highlights the honesty and purity of its flavours.
Chandrettan’s Kada, Kunnamangalam
Famous for its fish breakfast, this small but iconic eatery dishes out early-morning meals that are soulful and hearty. It’s a slice of local life that travellers rarely forget — simple, flavourful, and deeply satisfying.
Milk Sarbath Shop
A Kozhikode specialty, the milk sarbath is a refreshing combination of chilled milk, sweetened syrup, and crushed ice. Stopping here is almost a rite of passage for first-time visitors — the drink is nostalgic, soothing, and uniquely local.
Beach Food Street
A vibrant stretch by the shoreline, this area bursts with stalls serving everything from spicy seafood to Kozhikode favourites like muttamala and kappa. Perfect for an evening stroll where the salt air mixes with the scent of frying fish.
Rahmath Hotel
Rahmath is synonymous with Kozhikode’s iconic biryani tender meat, fluffy rice, and a spice mix locals swear by. A plate here feels like tasting a piece of the city’s culinary heritage.
Amma Mess / Ambika Hotel / Alakapuri
These classic eateries serve some of the best fish curry meals in Kozhikode, known for their fiery gravies, coconut-rich sides, and perfectly balanced flavours. Ideal for travellers craving an authentic Kerala thali-style experience.
Where to shop:
S.M. Street
Perfect for handloom fabrics, local snacks, spices, and nostalgic Kerala gifts.
Hilite Mall & Gokulam Mall
Great for branded shopping, bookstores, coffee breaks, and air-conditioned escapes between sessions.
Kalyan Kendra & Jayalakshmi
Elegant silk sarees, festive wear, and Kerala’s textile heritage at its finest.
Halwa Bazaar
Rows of jewel-toned halwas—each flavour unique, rich, and gift-worthy.
Vasudevan Chips
Famous for authentic Calicut banana chips—crisp, golden, and impossible to stop eating.
Kozhikode during KLF 2026 offers something few destinations do a perfect union of literature, travel, food, heritage, and the ineffable thrill of being part of a global cultural moment.
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