Visit, Eat and Shop at Kozhikode during Kerala Literature Festival 2026, Asia’s Largest Literature Festival

Here’s a curated guide to visiting, eating, and shopping in Kozhikode during the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) 2026, which runs from January 22–25, 2026 and is billed as Asia’s largest literary conclave with 650,000+ visitors, 400+ speakers, and Germany as the Guest Nation

Places to Visit
- Gujarati Street – Heritage cafés, spice stores, pastel façades; perfect for evening strolls.
- Kuttichira & Tali Quarters – Historic mosques, tiled Kerala homes, and the iconic Tali temple.
- Beypore Uru Shipyards – Watch master craftsmen build massive wooden boats by hand.
- Regional Science Centre & Planetarium – Family-friendly hub for science and exploration.
- Kadalundi Estuary – Birdwatching paradise where river meets sea.
- Elathur & Chaliyar River Cruise – Mangroves and backwaters for slow travellers.
- Smrithipadham – A modernized cemetery turned cultural space with book launches and coffee corners.
- S.M. Street – Iconic shopping street with halwa shops, banana chips, and handloom stores.
- Basheer’s Residence (Beypore Sulthan’s House) – Preserved home of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, a literary pilgrimage site.

Where to Eat
- Paragon & M-Grill – Legendary Malabar biryani and refined global grills.
- Edayilae Hotel (Kuttichira) – Homely Malabari staples, open round the clock.
- Sagar Hotel – Famous for bold biryani and spiced fish fry.
- Puka – The Smoke House – Smoked meats, brisket, and pulled beef.
- Lissy (Karanthoor) – Quintessential Kerala-style lunch with fresh seafood.
- Chandrettan’s Kada (Kunnamangalam) – Iconic fish breakfast spot.
- Milk Sarbath Shop – Nostalgic Kozhikode specialty drink.
- Beach Food Street – Evening stalls serving muttamala, kappa, and seafood.
- Rahmath Hotel – Another biryani institution, deeply tied to Kozhikode’s culinary heritage.
- Amma Mess / Ambika Hotel / Alakapuri – Authentic Kerala thali-style fish curry meals.

Where to Shop
- S.M. Street – Handloom fabrics, spices, snacks, and Kerala gifts.
- Hilite Mall & Gokulam Mall – Branded shopping, bookstores, and coffee breaks.
- Kalyan Kendra & Jayalakshmi – Elegant silk sarees and festive wear.
- Halwa Bazaar – Rows of jewel-toned halwas, perfect for gifting.
- Vasudevan Chips – Famous Calicut banana chips, crisp and golden.

Why Kozhikode During KLF?
Kozhikode offers a unique blend of literature, food, heritage, and shopping. The city transforms into a cultural hub where Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, historians, artists, and activists converge with readers and travellers.