Certainly one of the best beach, having a great cliff connecting through another beach and having all restaurants/cafés and shops over the cliff. Must recommend the morning walk through the cliff and have a great sight during sunrise. For party ppl Evening time is great fun.

One of the best beaches in Kerala..easily accessible from Trivandrum and Kollam.. it’s best to visit here on evening to enjoy the beautiful sunset..weekends will be very crowded

Loved the place. Very special beach not like other beaches. Beautiful cliff beach with long sand shore to walk and good for street shopping

VARKALA VS GOA BEACH. 1) very short strip of beach and has black grainy sand whereas Goa has long stretches of beach and has golden sand 2) entire coastline is rocky so you have to walk up and down to actually reach the beach. Goa has very tiny stretch of cliff stretch 3)Almost entire cliff coastline is packed with resorts and cafe. Goa has more scattered resorts where south Goa is less crowded and North Goa is more crowded ( Bagha, Morjim, Anjuna ) 4) Both have good vegetarian options like pure vegan cafes. But you can enjoy the entire Varkala culture of cafe without scooty as everything is on one single cliff by walking. That can’t be done in Goa. 5)The beach at Varkala has no facilities like toilets, cloack room, changing room, shower room. Goa has sufficient facilities. 6) More foreigner touristy culture at both places. You just have to find right spot at both the places. 7) lots of swiggy and zomato options and both places. But Varkala has no taxi union problems like Goa.

Varkala Beach, emphasize the stunning natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, vibrant cliffside, and the range of activities available. dramatic red cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea, clear blue water, lively market and cafes along the cliffs, and spectacular sunsets. There are options for relaxation, adventure, wellness, and cultural experiences, making Varkala a versatile destination for all types of travelers

The Varkala Beach does not allow people to bathe in the water. The beach is always crowded but it very closely to the stays. The beach is in walking distance of 3 to 5 KM only. It is the most unique Beaches in Southern part of India. The views from cliff is Stunning. It is well known for its lively atmosphere with many cafes and restaurants along the cliff, catering to visitors. After sunset, it's possible to witness bioluminescence, an aquamarine glow in the water, making for a magical experience. Swimming is not always not safe due to strong currents, so visitors are advised to be cautious and not allowed during season time. It's Good place to relax and unwind. But the food is costly and I don't highly recommend.

Varkala Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala — clean, calm, and perfect for a relaxing getaway. The golden cliffs, clear waves, and serene atmosphere make it truly special. Watching the sunset from the cliff is a magical experience you shouldn’t miss! There are plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby offering great food with sea views, and the people are warm and welcoming. A perfect spot to unwind, take long walks, and enjoy nature at its best.

I recently visited this temple and had a wonderful experience. The atmosphere here is truly special there’s a peaceful, spiritual vibe that makes you feel instantly calm and welcome. The temple is impressively neat and clean, with well maintained surroundings that add to the sense of serenity. The staff and volunteers are very friendly and always ready to help or guide visitors, which made my visit even more pleasant. The temple’s architecture and overall ambiance beautifully reflect its ancient heritage, giving you a sense of connection to history and tradition. Overall, it’s a fantastic place for anyone seeking tranquility and a touch of spiritual energy. Highly recommended for both devotees and tourists alike!

One of the divine and nearest temple in varkala. Also 2000years old. At the temple entrance, small pond is available. The water is refreshing, & even spotted a little turtle. The temple was neat, clean, and maintained with care. While it looked like many other traditional temples as well. It was quite hot during my visit, For Gents - The shirts and inner baniyan to be removed due to temple customs. The god looked unique from others. It was an pleasant moment but it stayed out for more than half an hour because of prasadham offering for the god.

A peaceful and spiritual place with centuries of history. The architecture is traditional and well-maintained. The temple is located on a hilltop, offering a serene atmosphere and beautiful views. It’s very calm inside, and devotees come here to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu.

Incredible ❤️😍. So different from other temples and so beautiful. A must visit of Varkala. Some of highlights - - Vishnu Ji Murti is so beautiful and different - the number of diyas lit in the evening are just amazing - and to top it up there is Gajraj ji (elephant) in the temple complex 😍. Few tips - Try to go in night around 6:30 as diyas are lit that time , you can also help in that - In Mandir main compex you have to remove the shirt /tshirt

We recently visited this temple and had a very peaceful experience. There’s also a pond near the temple, which adds to the calm and serene atmosphere. One important thing to note is that boys need to remove their shirts during darshan, as it’s a mandatory tradition here.

Before entering the temple, I spent a few quiet moments at the temple pond right in front of the entrance. The water felt refreshing, and I even spotted a little turtle,it was such a calming start to the visit. The temple itself was neat, clean, and maintained with care. While it looked like many other traditional temples, there was a special peaceful vibe that I really felt. It was quite hot during my visit, and I was wearing a hat. A lady told me to remove it,possibly due to temple customs.

The Varkala Janardhana Swamy Temple is one of the most serene and spiritually uplifting places to visit in Varkala. Nestled close to the famous Varkala beach, this temple offers an ambience that is both divine and peaceful, making it a perfect spot for anyone seeking a quiet escape with a touch of spirituality. The moment you step inside, the calm surroundings and traditional architecture create a sense of devotion and reverence. One of the highlights of the temple is its beautiful pond, which is very well maintained and clean. The still waters reflect the peaceful atmosphere of the temple, and many visitors find it to be a place of contemplation and calm. The management has ensured that the sanctity and cleanliness of the temple premises are preserved, which adds to the overall experience. Another advantage is its location—just a short distance from the Varkala Sea. After offering prayers and experiencing the divine feel of the temple, one can easily walk to the beach and enjoy the scenic beauty of the coastline. The combination of spiritual bliss and natural charm makes this temple a must-visit. Overall, it is a place where faith and tranquility blend beautifully.

Nice restaurant with beautiful views of the beach and a decent variety of vegetarian options. The food was delicious - kids especially enjoyed the burgers, and the momos were a good choice for the order. Great spot to relax and enjoy a good meal by the sea!

Amazing location on the cliff, good spot to have a nice time during the sunset and at night, just a bit hot to hang around if there's no fan. The food was decent and good, the gin and tonic cocktail was really good. The best was the "Watermelon mint cooler". They had live music going on which had vibe going. All in all good experience, will be back for more juice haha.

So we went for lunch at Darjeeling Cafe. We ordered the famous momos, fried rice, butter chicken, and butter naan . Fried rice, butter, chicken was the only thing that was decent. The momos tasted so bad plus for the amount of money we are giving, It was not worth at all and the fried rice also was very cold. So if you want to skip Darjeeling Cafe, it totally fine because you won’t be missing anything except for the view and view you can get it from some other cafes in the same spot, but the ambience is nice. You have like a direct view from the cliff to the beach to the sea, so it is pretty good, except for the View there is nothing which Darjeeling Cafe offers, so yeah, just feel happy to skip it

Mixed Experience at Darjeeling Cafe! Darjeeling Cafe in Varkala has a great location and ambiance, but the food fell short of expectations. The staff was decent, but not particularly impressive. Highlights: 1. Great Location: The cafe's location offers stunning views. 2. Ambiance: The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing. Areas for Improvement: 1. Food Quality The food was not up to the mark. 2. Staff Service: The staff seemed a bit indifferent. Darjeeling Cafe has potential, but needs to work on its food and service. Quality Control: Implement quality control measures to ensure consistency.

The restaurant offers a beautiful view and serves high-quality food—especially the seafood basket, which was absolutely delicious. However, the overall experience was disappointing due to poor service. Orders took an unusually long time to arrive, and the staff lacked warmth and hospitality. Additionally, the washroom facilities were in very bad condition, which made it particularly uncomfortable for the ladies in our group. For a place that seems to pride itself on ambiance and food, the lack of basic cleanliness and customer service is a major letdown. Would recommend for the food, but only if you're willing to overlook the rest.

I wish I could add more stars! The food, service and atmosphere deserve at least 8 stars. The menu is very intensive, pizza, pasta, seafood and Indian. I had molly fish with rice and steamed veggies. The veg was cooked to perfection and the fish rapped in banana leaf was a large serve and incredibly tasty. I sat on the balcony overlooking the ocean and sipped my long island iced tea. I'll come back tomorrow earlier to eat and watch the sunset. Now to go down stairs for some ice cream at bad manors cafe. Yum!

Honestly, shittiest service BY far i the area, took over half hour for menu (that too with us Hunting down the staff) OVER 2 Hours to complete the order (3-4 dishes). When it finally did arrive, it was so so only OTHER THAN THE VIEW, everything else was 2/5 the chicken biryani and paneer gravy wer the exception tough, they were good. Sadly the same can't be said about noodles or the famous banana leaf fish.

I recently visited the Black Sand Beach 🏖 near Varkala railway station. The beach is famous for its unique black sand ⬛✨… and honestly, seeing it for the first time felt special. Evening time 🌅 is the best to be here… the sunset glow makes the whole place come alive. 🚗🛵 Parking is a bit of a struggle, especially on weekends when the crowd gets heavy. First impression… yes, good ✅ But then, a little disappointed 😕 The place is not maintained properly. The beach is small, and with too many people, it feels crowded 👫👬👭 Still… the beauty is there 🌊 Bathing is allowed 🚿 and many enjoy playing in the water. For me, just sitting quietly and watching the waves 🌊☀️ was enough. The sunset was the highlight 💛 At night 🌙… the vibe is different. A solo walk 🚶 felt peaceful but also a little risky ⚠️—better to stay alert as thefts can happen. Overall… it was a new and happy experience 😍. Not perfect, but memorable in its own way. The black sand, the sunset, the vibe—it all made the visit worth it. 🌌

An absolutely mesmerizing black sand beach - a true gem of Varkala! The contrast of dark sands against the turquoise waves and towering cliffs in the background is breathtaking. Its wide, flat shore makes it perfect for long walks and beachside relaxation. Kid's absolutely loved running around the beach. Watching surfers ride the waves here adds to the vibrant, unforgettable charm of spot. This beach offers some stunning pictures.

Black Sand Beach is one of the famous beaches in Varkala. The specialty of this beach is the uniqueness of the black sand & sunset glow. Evening time is the best time to view the sunset and sea waves. There is much space for parking & worth visiting. Don't miss this spot.

Perfect sunset beach very calm and serene vibes. Sunset is very pretty here. Definitely a must vist place in varkala . I loved the sea , sunset and its hues here.

You should visit this place in the morning. Find a spot in the corner and enjoy. Surfing was good for beginners since waves weren't very good atleast in october

Good place, great vibe. Resorts and hotels around the beach makes it even better and adds to its charm.

It’s quiet, peaceful, and not very crowded. The contrast of the dark sand with the blue sea looks really beautiful. Perfect for just sitting, walking, or enjoying a calm sunset.

It has a very good infrastructure for a state of the art aquarium. But it looks like the place is running short of funds for maintenance. Mostly common fish species which could be found in a regular aquarium shop in town with a very few rare species. And many empty tanks which again reflect upon my guess on funds earlier. Entry fee is nominal and ample space for car parking. There is an attached kids play area which is quite big and has an amphitheatre kind of arrangement. Kids will love the play area. The play area is adjacent to the beach but is securely isolated. Felt safe to let the kids be on their own here. Hope the aquarium gets the required attention from the state to draw more crowds in the near future.

Entry fees Rs 30 for adults and Rs 15 for kids. Free for kids upto 5 years of age. The 3D theatre was closed when we visited. The children's park can be availed at Rs 10 per head. Overall a good experience for kids. Lots of fish and the mud crab on display with beautiful views and the acquarium overlooking the beach.

With limited experience this place offers, yet there are some surprise elements like jelly fish, turtle in this aquarium. There is a lot of scope to improve for a better experience. It is near to black sand beach and there are ticket charges of Rs.30 per head.

Varkala Aquarium is manged by Kerala Fisheries department . This building is built in a spiral structure with three floors. It holds only few fishes in aquarium. My suggestion is to add more fishes so that it will be more interests to see. Ticket charge is just 30/- per head The park behind this aquarium is so nice and we can enjoy the beauty of Thiruvambady beach. This aquarium is not a must go place in Varkala and you can choose this place to spend few time here.

This was one of the attraction spot before in Varkala which is located near the black sand beach. I have visited it recently after couple of years. However the condition is very pathetic. Not properly maintained. Most of the fish tanks were empty. However the the place is located in place with scenic beauty and greenary around.. request the concerned officials to kindly take of this place since lots of tourist come to Varkala every day. They collect a very nominal fees with enough parking space available.

The aquarium is not that great. So many species of fish were missing from the tank. But the play area outside was lovely. My kid had loads of fun playing in the swing,etc. Great place for kids. Also, there's an entry ticket for the aquarium. Overall, it was a good experience.

This place needs much improvement .It was hard to find the entrance looking at the google map.It is close to black beach Varkala. I loved the way it constructed.There’s a garden next to sea with kids playing area. Will give good view during sunset. The aquarium experience was somewhat underwhelming as it lacked a variety of impressive fishes.Very few exotic species, majority are common species. Too much reflection, difficult to see or take photos during day time. The place doesn't have a very large variety of fishes, but is a pleasant and calm place to visit and spend sometime there. The place could be so much better if it was only maintained better, especially since it's next to the sea you'd expect to see some stunning marine life. So many tanks and mini pools, just empty. Some with just one fish per tank, all in all just disappointing. Don't go in with a lot of expectations.

Rock'n Roll cafe located at Varkala Cliff is one of the good restaurant in the beach side of Varkala. Very Nice ambience and good food they are serving. You can enjoy having food by viewing sea. I had dinner, and that was very nice. May feel prices are little bit higher. But that's fine for their serving food items. Must try restaurant at Varkala.

As the name suggests, the place with the most amazing Rock n roll music playing all day. Their burgers are delicious, specially 'burger with a lot', it's a beef burger with cheese, which is by far the best burger I've ever had. The service could have been a bit better. But no complaints as such, since the food and the music made up for it.

Best cafe in varkala cliff .

The owner was this drunk jerk who just took away the menus on our table before we could even order. We asked about it and the guy very rudely asked us to leave. Would advise all to stay away if possible. There are a lot of places that actually deserve your time and food-tasting skills in Varkala, this definitely isn't one of them!

Slowest service. There is no Rock n Roll music playing. Had to wait 40 minutes for our food to arrive and it tasted very average. Terrible let down. Not saying this outta spite. We just asked a waiter where our food is its been 45 minutes. He said i am not your waiter ask your waiter.

It's the only place open on Varkala beach cliff post 11pm. My strong suggestion is to eat at better restaurants early in the evening. RnR Cafe has an entry fee. The food is horrible and service very poor. The only upside is a dance floor for all those who are extremely drunk or tripping on the beach vibe...if you know what I mean.

Supposed to be a very happening place - with live performances and open mic. Probably is during the peak season. The food was nothing great. Ambience and view (like all shacks along the cliff) were great.

The menu offers a decent variety of dishes, with a focus on seafood. While the presentation of the food is commendable, the taste was somewhat hit or miss. Some dishes, like the grilled prawns and fish curry, were flavorful and fresh, but others, like the calamari, felt a bit overcooked and lacked seasoning. The service was satisfactory, though it could have been a bit more attentive, especially during peak hours. The wait time was slightly longer than expected, but the friendly attitude of the staff made up for it. Overall, the restaurant is worth a visit for the view and ambiance, but the food could use some consistency. It's an ideal spot if you're looking for a serene place to unwind by the sea, but don't expect culinary perfection. Rating: 3.5/5

I visited Jai Ram Cafe only after seeing the positive reviews on Google, but honestly, I feel those reviews are completely misleading. The actual reality is very disappointing. The food here is not at all good – in fact, it’s one of the worst experiences I’ve had in a long time. We had to leave almost everything we ordered because it was simply not edible. The so-called “garlic bread” was nothing more than plain bread with a garlic cube on top – absolutely pathetic and unacceptable. This is not what anyone expects when dining out. One of the worst food experiences I’ve had after ages. Totally regret coming here. Definitely not recommended.

We went to this cafe by seeing the positive reviews and ordered and couple of things. To be honest the reviews are completely misleading. The food was average and eatable. The juices were really horrible and we ended up not drinking it. Even when we told the staff that it was bad they just didn't care enough to Even replace it with a better drink. The staff's behavior was so unbothered.

Really enjoyed the food, didn't like drinks being in plastic glasses! Went mid week when it was relatively quiet, good from our point of view. Have been past at weekends when for us it is too busy and the music is very loud. Would go again mid week as good portion size and tasty food.

The Resort location is perfect right on the cliff and the beach is just walkable distance. Rooms are good but you have to ask for things like cleaning room as well.the cafe was under renovation so there is no food available at the resort but you can find plenty of options nearby.the staff is friendly and the rooms are decent.

I felt like this place had the best food in Varkala. The pizza was next level and all the grilled meat dishes I tried were exceptional. The grilled calamari was the best I ever had. Affordable prices but gets very very busy in the evenings. Very sweet family running the place.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at SeaView Restaurant, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations! The food was absolutely delicious, with every dish bursting with fresh flavors and prepared to perfection. Whether you're a fan of seafood or prefer something from the land, the menu offers a great variety to suit every taste. What really stood out was the service. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. They were knowledgeable about the menu and made excellent recommendations. The ambiance was another highlight — dining with a view of the ocean was simply breathtaking. The serene setting, combined with the fantastic food and impeccable service, made it a truly memorable experience.

This place is definitely worth a visit for seafood lovers. It’s located right on the cliff so there’s a great view to go along with the food. I tried the calamari thoran with the paroota and it was great. I came back for the butter garlic crab and the prawn Molly curry. Both were great. Crabs are small so they’re a little difficult to eat but the flavour is great. Worth a visit for quality seafood and drinks for anyone visiting.

God’s Own Kitchen in Varkala is truly a vibe-filled paradise for anyone who loves good food, soulful music, and warm ambience. From the moment you step in, you can feel the energy of the place — cozy lighting, beach-town charm, and the rhythm of live South Indian music that instantly lifts your mood. The live music team deserves a huge shout-out — they were vera level! Their performance wasn’t just entertainment; it was an experience that brought everyone together. The way they interacted with the crowd made the evening even more memorable, creating a beautiful sense of unity among strangers through the love of music and food. Coming to the food — absolutely worth every penny! The menu offers a great mix of local and continental dishes, all freshly prepared and flavorful. The Tandoori Fish is a must-try; perfectly grilled and bursting with authentic spices. Portion sizes are generous, and the presentation adds to the experience. Overall, God’s Own Kitchen is not just a restaurant — it’s an emotion. If you’re in Varkala and looking for a place with amazing food, soulful live music, and the perfect vibe to unwind, this is the spot you shouldn’t miss.

Good place on the Varkala cliff which offers beers.. While there many good cafés around, this place had a different vibe with live music. Rocky did served was good booze and with a smile. The atmosphere turned vibrant with variety of songs being played to keep up the tempo.

Food is very good. Sea food nicely made. I love yhe vibe of live music. Band is soo good plays hindi and English songs as well with Local. Service is fast kids also enjoys. Special thanks to Promise Anna. He was too fast in Service. Desserts was yummy.. 10/10.

DO NOT opt for live cooking. We were a group of 8 they offered us a large fish , tiger prawns and squid with unlimited rice and and rotti options for a deal of 5.5k after which were charged for every extra refill not to mention the quantity was very less. They should call it a combo rather than 'unlimited'. Taste was good so better to order from menu

My go to place for having Malabar Fish Curry, Plain Rice and Ginger Lime whenever I visit Varkala.. the name is God’s Own Country Kitchen.. What an amazing a place !! Food, ambience, services.. all top notch. I have had this particular combination for a few times in lunch and now this amazing guy called Promise Pal there knows my order heart.. the place doesn’t just feed to satiate your hunger but these amazing guys like Promise Pal and others make you feel loved here. A must visit place !!

I had a fantastic experience at God’s Own Country Kitchen! The food was delicious and truly captured the authentic flavors of Kerala. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, made even better by the live music, which added a beautiful, relaxing vibe to the entire evening. A big shout-out to Promise and Jhonny for their exceptional service and hospitality. They were attentive, friendly, and ensured everything was perfect throughout our visit. Their professionalism really elevated the dining experience. Overall, great food, amazing ambience, wonderful live music, and outstanding service. Highly recommended, and definitely looking forward to coming back!

We are a family of 6 and stayed in Varkala between 14th and 19th February 2025, and we were fortunate enough to choose the Green Pepper on our first evening. We visited 8 or so other restaurants during our stay and we rated the Green Pepper as having the best food and best value for money .... so we had to visit for a 2nd time on our last night in Varkala! Our host and other staff was very attentive and made us welcome on both of our visits. The location is also very special with wonderful sea views. If you are looking for a restaurant with a relaxing atmosphere that offers superb food at very affordable prices, then it would be a mistake if you did not visit the Green Pepper restaurant .... enjoy!!!

We dint stayed in the property but had dinner and breakfast. Food was yummy value for money. Located in a beautiful place recommended for dinner as lunch will be too hot to enjoy the view.

If you like to spend peaceful holiday of yours please avoid this resort for stay. Our experience in this stay when we check in there is no water to fresh up in any restroom we managed and gone out and return in night but they didn’t sort it out the water issue and the food we pre order and what we received were totally different. No complements No extra pillow No bed sheets No dining space Restaurant is out of resort no dining allowed for food from resort

I stayed in the first floor Sea view room. Price they charged for the room was Rs.2500 for 24hrs. The location was awesome. It is located on the top of the cliff. You can go to the beach through the steps made on the cliff. If you want to purchase anything there is nothing to purchase. You have to go to North cliff by walking on the beach for 2kms or by car 3kms. If they maintain the rooms clean we can give 10/10. And one main thing they have DJ on every weekend, it is worth for the money don't miss it, if u stay here. Entry for DJ is Rs. 300, if u want unlimited food Extra Rs.500, if u want liquor you have to pay extra.

I am extremely disappointed with my recent stay. The room was lacking basic amenities—there was no water provided in the bathroom, which is essential for any guest. Additionally, we had requested an extra bed, but it was not provided, leaving our group uncomfortable. The most frustrating part, however, was the meal service. We had ordered chicken rice for 40 people, but when it arrived, it was served as egg rice instead. This mix-up caused a lot of inconvenience, especially since we were relying on that meal. Overall, the experience did not meet expectations, and I would not recommend this place.

The room reeked of a disgusting odor, making it unbearable to stay in, and the bathroom was filthy and poorly maintained. The water supply was unreliable, adding to the misery. To top it off, the food was atrocious—tasteless and clearly prepared without any care for quality or hygiene. This resort was an absolute disaster, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. If I could, I’d give it a negative rating for such a horrendous experience.

it was an absolutely terrible experience. The room had a foul odor that made it difficult to relax, and the bathroom was in a deplorable state, lacking cleanliness and proper maintenance. To make matters worse, there were significant water issues, which added to the inconvenience. The food was equally disappointing—poor quality and far from appetizing. Overall, the resort failed on every level, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. If I could, I’d give it negative marks for such a dreadful stay.