Malabar Cafe Reviews

One of the best Kerala-style restaurants you’ll find around Bray. The biriyani is absolutely amazing, and the pothichoru is just as delicious. I used to go there almost every weekend since we live in Bray — it’s that good!

The chicken shawarma wrap is a must-try — for a pan-fried shawarma, they’re doing a fantastic job. They also offer a great variety of Kerala snacks like pazham pori, puffs, and cutlets. And don’t miss the mango shake — it’s definitely worth trying!

The staff are very friendly and welcoming, especially Mythili and Noorjahan, who always make the experience even better.

I’ve been a regular customer at Malabar Cafe for quite some time, and it’s one of my favorite places to visit. The food is always delicious, the atmosphere is cozy, and even though it’s a small space with just three tables (seating up to four people each), it feels warm and welcoming.

What truly makes this cafe special is the amazing staff. Everyone is friendly and makes you feel at home, but I’d especially like to mention Darshana. I only recently learned her name, but she’s been serving us for a while. Her energy, cheerful attitude, and genuine friendliness always brighten our visit. She goes above and beyond to make customers feel comfortable, and her positive vibe is one of the reasons we keep coming back.

If you’re looking for great food, a cozy ambiance, and exceptional customer service, I highly recommend Malabar Cafe. A big thank you to Darshana and the entire team for making every visit such a pleasant experience!

Lovely addition of authentic Indian food to Bray! We ordered the masala dosa and medu vada, and both were delicious and not overly spicy.

It’s a small spot with just two tables (four chairs each) placed outside the cafe, so it’s better suited for takeaway rather than dining in.

There’s only one dosa making counter, so during busy times the wait can be a bit longer but it’s absolutely worth it. Everything, from the dosa to the medu vada, is made fresh to order, which is a big plus.

Suggestion for the cafe: Consider introducing an online order and collection option via your website. At the moment, orders need to be placed by phone, which may not be convenient for everyone.

I ordered chicken biryani, chicken puff, beef cutlet to take home. I found the girls behind the counter very nice and kind. My biryani box for packed full. We tried the chicken puff and beef cutlet in the car and were blown away by the flavors.. Yes, the puff was not fresh from the oven, possibly sat under heat lamp for the whole days considering I went just before they were closing but the flavors were there.. Very tasty.. Who knew spicy chicken in large puff pastry could taste so nice.. Beef cutlet was very much like shami kabob recipe but had good taste.. Yes, the chicken biryani had two pieces of chicken but it was flavorful, fragrant.. The way biryani supposed to be.. it's not spicy hot but rather fruity, fragrant.. The portion filled me up very much and I usually eat a lot of rice.. It should be mentioned, they don't use basmati, they use proper small grain rice.. It's the only one in Ireland that I thought was true biryani.. Most other places layer rice and meat curry and bake.. that's just rice and curry.. I am anxious to try their other items..

Malabar Cafe is an absolute gem. The food is authentic, rich in flavor, and beautifully presented. Every dish tastes freshly prepared with high-quality ingredients, and the spices are perfectly balanced. The staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The ambience reflects true South Indian charm while still feeling modern and clean. Service is efficient without feeling rushed.

If you’re looking for consistently delicious food and excellent hospitality, Malabar Cafe is definitely worth visiting.