Name: Calicut Notebook Restaurant
Price range: $$$
Rating: 4.1

Description

Calicut Notebook is a Sharjah favourite for Malabar and South Indian cooking, tucked into the Industrial Area and drawing a steady following of Keralite expats and curious non-regional diners alike. The dining room is modestly styled but comfortable, and the kitchen leans into the coastal cooking of Calicut and the wider Malabar region with conviction - the food arrives on hot plates, the welcome drink and a complimentary Pazhassi salad of fresh leaves and condiments set the tone, and a choice of warm herbal water or mineral water follows. The menu rewards exploration. Biryani is a clear strength, with the chicken (Malabar-style) biryani among the best versions in the city. Seafood is the second headline: the chatti meen curry in a clay pot, the Kayal Chemmeen prawns, the Fish Tawa Fry, and the beach crab Kadaporum Curry are the dishes regulars return for. Among the chicken plates, the Pandana's (Padanadan) Chicken and the Majlis Chicken - spicy, assertive, paired naturally with appam, pathiri or parotta - hold their own, while the Hamour Elayil Thawa is a good bridge between the grill and the gravies. Vegetarians are well looked after with payasams, a weekday meal plate around 13 AED, and the Onam and Vishu sadhya service when it is on. Service is attentive, and front-of-house staff take time to explain dishes to first-timers. A few practical notes. Thursdays, Fridays and weekends are busy, and parking relies on the street, so arriving earlier helps. Occasionally, specific specials like king fish or karimeen run out by late evening, and a small number of regulars feel the sadhya pricing has crept up; home delivery is less reliable than dining in. For an authentic taste of Kerala - particularly the coastal Malabar dishes that give the restaurant its name - Calicut Notebook is one of the more dependable tables in Sharjah for the cuisine.

Guest Reviews

4.2

Excellent

27 reviews

Scool_sgm5.0

last month

Been here a few times, especially during their busy hours and here's the review... The Service is great, they recognize their patrons, staffs takes time to explain dishes. The plates are always hot when set on the table, yes i mean the plates Food is very very tasty. The Chicken biryani was fantastic, so was the fish gravy in a claypot. The tea, Spring hoppers, Parothas, and the Pandana's Chicken was very yummy as well. Oh, the Butter Chicken & Butter Chicken Masala is excellent as well. Management to look into: Tried their vegetable kurma which is average. Vegetable Biryani was finger licking good though more vegetable could be added in this dish. They don't serve Sambar at night, Sometimes, a plain curry dish is needed as a side dish when having the Spring hoppers & parothas with the Butter Chicken or their fish gravies Now, there is always parking available on either roadside And there is this drink that I have dared a friend to drink and I dare not take a sip- Green Fire It seems the drink clears the sinuses..so go ahead and try them while I muster the courage Btw, staffs that came in contact with us most times are Rahul, Jiju and several others, even the food clearing waiter gets a thumbs up.. Will definitely visit soon

VijayGop1.0

last month

All lies by the persons taking the order. They do deliver on time. When asked why the delay they say the person is near your building and then they ask where is your location Review collected in partnership with this restaurant

Raji Jayaraj J5.0

last month

It was an overwhelming experience! :) Had yummy food and i must say the "Crab Kadaporum Curry" (Beach Crab) is a must try to all the crab lovers. Thank you so much and the hospitality is something which makes one very special! Rock On! To add on Jay & Me are touched by the gesture of surprising us with Coconut Payasam as a wedding gift ! Value Service Food Review collected in partnership with this restaurant