Breakfast at Taj?” IP messenger windows pop up across the IIM-Kozhikode campus at 6am. Within two hours, a jeep arrives at the Taj Residency carrying a group of hungry and sleep-deprived students.
“Just three hours would suffice to tour the city. Taj has an excellent spread, especially the Sunday brunch,” says Smrithi, a student from Chennai.
“I normally start with the dessert because it tends to get over by the time I finish the main course,” says Abhishek Mahnot, a second-year student.
Some students prefer to go further, down the bypass, towards the airport to Kadavu. “It’s THE place for anyone who wants to have an excellent English breakfast,” says Ankit Agrawal, a second-year student. “Priced reasonably, it gives you a range of veg and non-veg dishes to choose from, with sausages
being the hot favourite.”
A non-vegetarian delight, Paragon serves excellent sea food like karimeen porichathu and also biryani. Many students come here at least once a month. Mezbaan, on Mavoor Road, is the other biryani joint in the city, where the dish is cooked in mud pots. Students head to Coffee Beanz for some sea breeze.
“It gives you a break from the usual Indian and Chinese cuisine offered in other restaurants. You get the best burgers, sausages and barbeques — all of which are hard to find in Kozhikode at reasonably prices,” says Ankit, who hangs out here once a week.
“The atmosphere is almost similar to what you would come across in cafes like Barista or CCD, with light music playing in the background and a TV showing either sports or music channels. You’ll find many students hanging out here in groups/couples, giving the place a youthful touch,” he adds. Popular items here include Baked Chicken, CBZ Chicken, Drunken Beans, and Beanz-a-float.
Life is tough for vegetarians, though. Lovely Dhaba, near NIT, is the hot spot. It serves the best phulkas and parathas for the veggies in the city
The night canteen at IIM-K is the lifeline of every student. From heated case discussions to business and road trip plans — everything happens over signature dishes like Kiran Maggi (courtesy Kiran Vergis, ex-student) and Tinkoo. You can wash it down with endless glasses of lime juice and milkshake n
— rohit.koshy@gmail.com