Kerala Roasts
The Kunjikozhi Roast was described as soft and juicy, with a balanced, richly spiced Kerala-style masala.
CALICUT KALLAYI RESTAURANT
Deira
Calicut Kallayi Restaurant in Deira serves Kerala and broader Indian-Arabic fare, with reviewers returning for dishes such as Kunjikozhi Roast and Manavaatti Chicken. It also has a sizeable upstairs dining area, and some customers appreciate its welcoming atmosphere and South Indian comfort-food focus.
Reputation Score
3.6
★★★★☆
823 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Seafood Cooking
The grilled seabream in the Chemeen Tharavadu Curry meal was praised for being fresh and perfectly cooked.
Dish Variety
Customers mention a broad choice of flavorful dishes, including Kerala specialties, chicken dishes, grills and desserts.
Breakfast Setting
One breakfast visit found the food fresh and well prepared, with a clean, comfortable and welcoming ambience.
Parking Nearby
A reviewer reported ample RTA parking around the restaurant and additional parking at Al Reef Mall roughly 300 metres away.
Generous Portions
The chicken biryani was described as tender and aromatic, with a generous portion size.
What to Eat at CALICUT KALLAYI RESTAURANT How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For CALICUT KALLAYI RESTAURANT, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of CALICUT KALLAYI RESTAURANT, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 2
-
Manvaati chicken Net +3
“Absolutely yummy food... Lovely ambience... Heart touching hospitality, especially Mr Sreejith who attended us and guided us to try their signature dish Manavatty Chicken.. Worth a try.. Highly recommend the place♥️”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Absolutely yummy food... Lovely ambience... Heart touching hospitality, especially Mr Sreejith who attended us and guided us to try their signature dish Manavatty Chicken.. Worth a try.. Highly recommend the place♥️”June 2026
“Amazing food and great service! We tried Manvaati Chicken and Monjathi for the first time, and everything was absolutely delicious. The flavors were outstanding, and each dish was prepared perfectly.”June 2026
-
Fish mango curry Net +2
“Food was very nice you must try their fish mango curry I feel the real kerala mango curry taste the service team was fantastic spcl tnqz to Aromal and nizam”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was very nice you must try their fish mango curry I feel the real kerala mango curry taste the service team was fantastic spcl tnqz to Aromal and nizam”June 2026
“Absolutely sumptuous and tasty dishes that we had …. Mango Fish curry and Mutton Varattiyathu.”February 2024
Honorable mentions (16)
-
Beef biryani Net +1
“Beef biryani was great as well as the salad tray and complimentary tea. Thank you!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Beef biryani was great as well as the salad tray and complimentary tea. Thank you!”December 2022
-
Chicken tikka Net +1
“I had rice and chicken tikka was nice but should be a bit spicy and the service very good .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had rice and chicken tikka was nice but should be a bit spicy and the service very good .”June 2026
-
Chocolate falooda Net +1
“Tried the chocolate Falooda at Kallayi Restaurant today and it was mouth-watering! 🍫😍 Perfectly sweet, rich and refreshing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tried the chocolate Falooda at Kallayi Restaurant today and it was mouth-watering! 🍫😍 Perfectly sweet, rich and refreshing.”May 2026
-
Fish fry Net +1
“This used to be my go-to weekend lunch spot, and the fish fry never disappointed.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This used to be my go-to weekend lunch spot, and the fish fry never disappointed.”June 2026
-
Fish malabari tawa Net +1
“Food was very good You must try their sig dish fish malabari tawa the staff was very friendly spcl tnqz to all service team especially sreejith and sudheep”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was very good You must try their sig dish fish malabari tawa the staff was very friendly spcl tnqz to all service team especially sreejith and sudheep”June 2026
-
Green chilli charcoal Net +1
“AVOID THIS PLACE ! the food's a snooze (except the green chilli charcoal, it got a pass). Service is slower than traffic on a Sharjah highway Skip it!" Better?”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“AVOID THIS PLACE ! the food's a snooze (except the green chilli charcoal, it got a pass). Service is slower than traffic on a Sharjah highway Skip it!" Better?”March 2026
-
Grilled seabream Net +1
“The grilled seabream was fresh and perfectly cooked.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The grilled seabream was fresh and perfectly cooked.”July 2026
-
Kerala meals Net +1
“Kerala meals 👌🏼🥰No word to say that it was awesome.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Kerala meals 👌🏼🥰No word to say that it was awesome.”February 2025
-
Kunjikozhi roast Net +1
“Absolutely loved the Kunjikozhi Roast and Kada Fry at Kallayi Restaurant! 🔥 The kunjikozhi roast was perfectly cooked—soft, juicy, and coated in a rich, spicy masala that had that authentic Kerala flavor in every bite. The balance of spices was just right, not too overpowering but full of depth.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Absolutely loved the Kunjikozhi Roast and Kada Fry at Kallayi Restaurant! 🔥 The kunjikozhi roast was perfectly cooked—soft, juicy, and coated in a rich, spicy masala that had that authentic Kerala flavor in every bite. The balance of spices was just right, not too overpowering but full of depth.”July 2026
-
Monjathi Net +1
“Amazing food and great service! We tried Manvaati Chicken and Monjathi for the first time, and everything was absolutely delicious. The flavors were outstanding, and each dish was prepared perfectly.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing food and great service! We tried Manvaati Chicken and Monjathi for the first time, and everything was absolutely delicious. The flavors were outstanding, and each dish was prepared perfectly.”June 2026
-
Mutton varattiyathu Net +1
“Absolutely sumptuous and tasty dishes that we had …. Mango Fish curry and Mutton Varattiyathu.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Absolutely sumptuous and tasty dishes that we had …. Mango Fish curry and Mutton Varattiyathu.”February 2024
-
Porotta Net +1
“We ordered porotta and some curry. The staffs were super friendly and very understanding. I was served by a lady(sorry I don't know details) and also a guy from trichur. They treated us just like we were long term customers. Even though they seemed little tired (obviously because they were working for long and we had gone at midnight around 1.30am) they didn't show any tiredness and kept their heart touching cute smile always with them. The food was really authentic Kerala style and made me feel like I'm having food from somewhere in my native Kerala.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered porotta and some curry. The staffs were super friendly and very understanding. I was served by a lady(sorry I don't know details) and also a guy from trichur. They treated us just like we were long term customers. Even though they seemed little tired (obviously because they were working for long and we had gone at midnight around 1.30am) they didn't show any tiredness and kept their heart touching cute smile always with them. The food was really authentic Kerala style and made me feel like I'm having food from somewhere in my native Kerala.”June 2023
-
Seafood bucket Net +1
“The food is really outstanding! Every meal we had was full of flavor and cooked to perfection. I really suggest the seafood bucket .the service was top notch”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is really outstanding! Every meal we had was full of flavor and cooked to perfection. I really suggest the seafood bucket .the service was top notch”February 2025
-
Special chemeen tharavadu curry Net +1
“We tried the special Chemeen Tharavadu Curry, and it was absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the special Chemeen Tharavadu Curry, and it was absolutely delicious.”July 2026
-
Wayanadan beef Net +1
“Tried the Wayanadan Beef and Manavaatti Chicken for the first time. I was honestly a bit worried about how it would taste, but they definitely didn’t disappoint. The beef was tender and full of flavor, and the chicken was delicious with a nice homemade touch.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tried the Wayanadan Beef and Manavaatti Chicken for the first time. I was honestly a bit worried about how it would taste, but they definitely didn’t disappoint. The beef was tender and full of flavor, and the chicken was delicious with a nice homemade touch.”June 2026
-
Chicken biryani Net 0
Mixed feedback
“I recently visited Calicut kallayi Restaurant and had the best chicken biryani l’ve tasted in a long time! The chicken was tender and full of flavour,and the spices were just right-rich,aromatic,And authentic. The portion size was generous,and the overall quality was excellent.the staff were friendly and the service was quick too”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“I recently visited Calicut kallayi Restaurant and had the best chicken biryani l’ve tasted in a long time! The chicken was tender and full of flavour,and the spices were just right-rich,aromatic,And authentic. The portion size was generous,and the overall quality was excellent.the staff were friendly and the service was quick too”April 2026
Drinks 3
-
Fresh milk tea Net +1
“The fresh milk tea was also great.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The fresh milk tea was also great.”February 2024
-
Straw berry falooda milk shake Net +1
“The straw berry falooda milk shake I like the service I will be back soon the customer care is massive lijo and sreejith”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The straw berry falooda milk shake I like the service I will be back soon the customer care is massive lijo and sreejith”June 2026
-
Watermelon, pineapple and mint juice Net +1
“I had ordered a Watermelon, Pineapple and Mint Juice as well, that was just divine.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had ordered a Watermelon, Pineapple and Mint Juice as well, that was just divine.”January 2020
What to Avoid (9)
Food 6
-
Beef sandwich Net −1
“I order 2 sandwich and fried rice, the food have very bad smell and not cooked well, the beef sandwich 1 kg of onion and like 5 pcs of beef very small.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I order 2 sandwich and fried rice, the food have very bad smell and not cooked well, the beef sandwich 1 kg of onion and like 5 pcs of beef very small.”July 2025
-
Fried rice Net −1
“the chicken still raw, then I said I will try fried rice but it's the same chicken.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“the chicken still raw, then I said I will try fried rice but it's the same chicken.”July 2025
-
Normal shawarma Net −1
“We ordered spicy shawarma, but they served us normal shawarma. The chicken was hard and had no taste.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered spicy shawarma, but they served us normal shawarma. The chicken was hard and had no taste.”January 2026
-
Prawn tawa Net −1
“Dropped by for a quick bite – had the prawn tawa and chicken biryani. The prawns were alright, nothing fancy – your basic masala job.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Dropped by for a quick bite – had the prawn tawa and chicken biryani. The prawns were alright, nothing fancy – your basic masala job.”June 2025
-
Spicy shawarma Net −1
“We ordered spicy shawarma, but they served us normal shawarma. The chicken was hard and had no taste.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered spicy shawarma, but they served us normal shawarma. The chicken was hard and had no taste.”January 2026
-
Vada Net −1
“Samovar Tea and vada was not upto the mark rest all was good.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Samovar Tea and vada was not upto the mark rest all was good.”December 2022
Drinks 3
-
Ginger tea Net −1
“When giving parcel orders like lime tea, ginger tea, or regular tea, it would be better to provide the tea bag separately. Otherwise, by the time it reaches the customer, the tea becomes too strong and difficult to drink. I personally had this experience, and the tea was not enjoyable.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“When giving parcel orders like lime tea, ginger tea, or regular tea, it would be better to provide the tea bag separately. Otherwise, by the time it reaches the customer, the tea becomes too strong and difficult to drink. I personally had this experience, and the tea was not enjoyable.”March 2026
-
Lime tea Net −1
“When giving parcel orders like lime tea, ginger tea, or regular tea, it would be better to provide the tea bag separately. Otherwise, by the time it reaches the customer, the tea becomes too strong and difficult to drink. I personally had this experience, and the tea was not enjoyable.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“When giving parcel orders like lime tea, ginger tea, or regular tea, it would be better to provide the tea bag separately. Otherwise, by the time it reaches the customer, the tea becomes too strong and difficult to drink. I personally had this experience, and the tea was not enjoyable.”March 2026
-
Samovar tea Net −1
“Samovar Tea and vada was not upto the mark rest all was good.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Samovar Tea and vada was not upto the mark rest all was good.”December 2022
Tips for a Better Visit
Confirm Shawarma. If shawarma is your main reason for visiting, confirm it is available before ordering; one customer waited an hour for a sold-out item.
Check Parcels. Check takeaway parcels before leaving, especially larger orders: one customer ordered three half pepper charcoal portions and received something different.
Clarify Spice. For spicy shawarma, clarify how the spice is prepared and check it before eating; one review said it was concentrated in a small area.
Pack Tea Separately. For parcel orders of lime, ginger or regular tea, ask for the tea bag separately so the drink does not become overly strong in transit.
Use Nearby Parking. RTA parking is available around the area; a reviewer also noted Al Reef Mall parking about 300 metres away.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Salah Al Din St
Al Muraqqabat - Deira, Dubai
| Mon | 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sat | 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sun | 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Freshness Concerns
Two delivery reviews alleged that food arrived smelling spoiled or appeared unfit to eat, making freshness a serious caution.
Availability Delays
A shawarma customer reported waiting an hour before being told the item was unavailable.
Wrong Takeaway
Customers reported receiving different food from the three half pepper charcoal portions they ordered.
Order Mix-Up
One customer ordering vegetarian food said non-vegetarian food was served instead.
Undercooked Chicken
A takeaway review reported that the chicken in a sandwich and fried rice was still raw.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
11 DHS
spicy shawarma
“The cook said the waiter did not mention spicy, but we were charged 11 DHS for spicy shawarma and received the normal one worth 10 DHS”Google review · January 2026
10 DHS
normal shawarma
“The cook said the waiter did not mention spicy, but we were charged 11 DHS for spicy shawarma and received the normal one worth 10 DHS”Google review · January 2026
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Calicut Kallayi Restaurant in Deira is a Kerala-focused restaurant with a wider Indian and Arabic selection. Reviewers come for dishes such as Kunjikozhi Roast, Manavaatti Chicken, chicken biryani and fish curries. The strongest food reports describe tender meat, balanced masala and authentic Malabar flavours, while the menu’s variety gives groups room to try different styles.
The dining room has seating across the ground and first floors, with some reviews describing a clean, comfortable ambience. Breakfast has also received praise for fresh preparation and presentation. Parking is another practical plus: one reviewer found ample RTA parking nearby and mentioned Al Reef Mall, around 300 metres away, as an alternative.
Service feedback is mixed. Many diners describe polite, attentive hospitality and quick service, but others report slow responses, rude customer handling or delays. Availability can also be uneven: a shawarma customer waited an hour before learning it was sold out, while takeaway customers reported wrong items and, in separate reviews, freshness and undercooked-chicken concerns.
For a first visit, confirm popular items before ordering, check takeaway parcels before leaving, and clarify spice levels. Delivery and takeaway deserve extra care given the specific quality-control complaints, even though other customers report satisfying meals and well-packed orders.