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Cafe Malabar, Victoria, BC

Cafe Malabar

4.6
4.6
35 Reviews
CAN$31 to CAN$50
South Indian
Unit 100, 407 Swift St, Victoria, BC V8W 0C1

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 10 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
  • Vegetarian-friendly
Cafe Malabar brings the vibrant flavours of Kerala’s Malabar Coast to the heart of Victoria. Led by Chef Kiran Kolathodan and Chef Karma Tenpa, our award-winning restaurant was named #5 Best New Restaurant in Canada by Air Canada enRoute.

Signature dishes include our Kizhi Parotta, a layered Malabar flatbread wrapped in banana leaves and steamed with fragrant curry, as well as our rich, slow-cooked Chicken Malabar Dum Biriyani. The atmosphere blends modern elegance with warm hospitality, inspired by Kerala’s spice-laden traditions.

Guests can enjoy a full meal at the bar with a partial view into the kitchen, scenic high-top seating near the windows, and an elevated back corner with a booth and glass table overlooking the entire restaurant. Whether for a casual evening or a special celebration, Cafe Malabar offers an unforgettable taste of Kerala with a West Coast sensibility.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    South Indian, Seafood, Indian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Chefs Kiran Kolathodan and Karma Tenpa
  • Catering
    Reach out to us at cafemalabar.ca@gmail.com
  • Private party facilities
    Reach out to us at cafemalabar.ca@gmail.com
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Victoria
  • Cross street
    Public Parking Lot at Store St & Fisgard. Drop-offs welcome.
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    A short walk away, Busses 14, 15, 24, and 25 stop at Pandora Ave at Store St
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 35 people are saying

Cafe Malabar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Victoria

    Best Food

  • Victoria

    Best Ambiance

  • Victoria

    Best Value

  • Victoria

    Kid-friendly

  • Victoria

    Innovative

  • Victoria

    Gluten-free-friendly

  • Victoria

    Healthy

  • Victoria

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Victoria

    Vegetarian-friendly

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cafe Malabar delights with "authentic and delicious" South Indian cuisine, earning praise for its prawn masala, Kerala fried chicken, and unique flavors. Guests appreciate the "impeccable" service, knowledgeable staff, and vibrant atmosphere. Despite some pricing concerns, the "spectacular" dishes and welcoming environment make it a must-visit dining spot.

35 Reviews
  1. Brittney

    Vancouver2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was amazing!!! I was not as impressed with the rest of the experience though, service was slow, bathrooms were not clean. I think it was an exceptionally busy summer day but wasn’t a great first experience.

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  2. Bertram

    Victoria5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This was an amazing experience. Every dish we tried was perfect. What we particularly appreciated was the manner in which air dishes were spiced. The spices crept up a you and then exploded in your mouth - they were incredible. The service was impeccable - and the explanation about the cooking before we ordered was really appreciated. We arrived with an unexpected guest and the restaurant was most accommodating and we had excellent seats. We can hardly wait to go back and continue working our way through the menu.

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  3. Brent

    Los Angeles1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Chefs Kiran and Karma continue to dazzle with each visit to Cafe Malabar. The prawn masala is a must, and the Kerala fried chicken is spectacular. We decided to try the special, a flavor-packed sole, and it was truly outstanding. Even though it's only been in operation for a few months, Cafe Malabar is already establishing itself as one of Victoria's most unique and delicious restaurants!

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  4. Shirley

    Vancouver1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Everything was great at cafe Malabar. Highly recommended

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  5. Alessandra

    Dublin7 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on April 19, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Food wasn’t up to the expectations. Service was extremely slow. They seemed understaffed

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  6. Terie VIP

    Vancouver32 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely delicious authentic food! Do NOT say no to the shrimp appetizer!

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  7. Kevin

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    When is the last time you had a meal that changed your feelings towards dining? We had one last night. Our meal was spectacular. Flavour bombs. Every dish! Our server was warm and inviting and she guided us through ordering to make the most of our meal. Chef Kiran has introduced us to regional Indian cuisine that we didn’t know we needed. Make your reservations early. This place is going to pop!

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  8. Denise

    Vancouver9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was a new food experience for us, and we had a delicious dinner! Our server was fabulous. He explained the origins of the food and made a couple of recommendations. We enjoyed it all especially the Chicken Biranyi and the Fish Molee. The place was almost full but the noise level was such that you could hear your table companions easily.

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  9. Melea

    Vancouver1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our meal was excellent, the staff was excited about their product and went out of their way to make sure we had a great experience.

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  10. Carolyn

    Vancouver2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We were looking forward to trying Cafe Malabar and were speechless after the first bite! The flavours were unlike anything we’ve experienced! Amazing! Cocktails were excellent and just as flavourful. Staff was informative and friendly. Can’t wait to return!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Cafe Malabar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (780) 600-0005.

Cafe Malabar is rated 4.6 stars by 35 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Vancouver / British Columbia
  4. Victoria
  5. Victoria

Make a reservation

2 people
11:30 PM
Booked 10 times today
Google Map for Cafe Malabar

Unit 100, 407 Swift St, Victoria, BC V8W 0C1

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Public Parking Lot at Store St & Fisgard. Drop-offs welcome.
  • Neighborhood
    Victoria
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    South Indian, Seafood, Indian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    A short walk away, Busses 14, 15, 24, and 25 stop at Pandora Ave at Store St
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chefs Kiran Kolathodan and Karma Tenpa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
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