10 Most Amazing Cafes & Restaurants in Gokarna
Gokarna, a quaint coastal town in Karnataka, is known for its pristine beaches, temples, and beach trek. The small eateries are also famous in Gokarna, serving delicious local food. While it might not have a great cafe culture like Varkala, it has a few good spots that you should visit.
After visiting Gokarna for the nth time(I have lost count :p), I have curated a small list of cafes and restaurants that you should try when visiting Gokarna.
The cafes and restaurants are listed based on which ones I liked the most, so let’s get started with the list of the best cafes and restaurants in Gokarna.
1. Dattaprasad Tiffin Centre – Homely food
A trip to Gokarna and having food in Dattaprasad go hand in hand. They only serve vegetarian food which is very wholesome and delicious at the same time. Not using any additives just like how you get it at your home.
The place is usually crowded and has a smaller seating area, but that doesn’t stop tourists waiting for even 15-20 minutes to get a table. I can never get tired of this place and can also have all my meals here. You need to try the dosa, thali, and Mangalore buns(Banana) here, well you can try everything. Lastly, the food is so economical.
Price for two: ₹200 – ₹300
Location: Ratha Beedi, Car St, Car Street, Gokarna
Things to try at Dattaprasad Tiffin Centre: Everything
Timings: 7 am – 10 pm(Wednesday Closed)
2. Sunset Cafe
It was only last year when I tried the food at Sunset Cafe and I loved the food so much. Cut to my trip this year(Mar’24) I had almost all my meals here and loved every bit of it. The staff is super friendly and gives you the best food suggestions. What tops it is the sea view right in front of you and then as the name suggests it is one of the best places in Gokarna to witness the sunset. This has to be my most favorite cafe in Gokarna.
And you need to try their piri piri fries they are so delicious that even on my way back from Gokarna I got them packed so I could have them on the bus.
PS: They even got a projector for the current IPL season.
Price for two: ₹700 – ₹900
Location: Main Beach, near Kariyappa Temple, Gokarna
Things to try at Sunset Cafe: Peri Peri Fries, Peri Peri chicken strips, Masala Omelet, Irish Coffee Shake, Chicken Tawa Fry, Veg Patiyala, Pizza
Timings: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm & 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
3. Mantra Cafe
The two things that come to my mind when I hear about Mantra Cafe are the amazing views and the super delicious Chicken ghee roast. I haven’t had a more delicious Chicken ghee roast even in Bangalore(please give suggestions 😛. The other dishes and juices are delicious too and you can also work from here.
Price for two: ₹700 – ₹900
Location: Zostel, Kudle Beach Rd, Dandebagh, Gokarna
Things to try at Mantra Cafe: Chicken Ghee roast, Paneer Ghee Roast, Juice and Cold Coffee
Timings: 8:30 am – 10:30 pm (Wednesday Closed)
4. Hostel Exp
I have just fallen in love with this hostel chain, while in Varkala they had the best vibe here in Gokarna they had the best place and ambiance. They have a small cafe here in Hostel EXP Gokarna which serves some delicious food. And you can not miss the juices and coffee. The majority of my afternoons were spent working from here and having amazing food.
Price for two: ₹300 – ₹500
Location: Belehittal, 312/BW, Kariappa Katta Temple Rd, Gokarna
Things to try at Hostel Exp: Thali, Masala Dosa, Badam Milk, Coffee
Timings: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
5. Halfway home
It was only on my last trip that I got to know about this place from a friend. The first time I was here for lunch, I tried the thali and omg it was so delicious and authentic. The place is famous for its pizza, garlic bread, and Kombucha. It was my first time trying kombucha and I really loved the ginger and the green tea flavors, the garlic bread also had a unique taste and was really delicious.
You should also try the Mangalore buns(Banana buns) here for breakfast
Price for two: ₹500 – ₹700
Location: Kudle Beach Rd, Dandebagh, Gokarna
Things to try at Halfway Home: Thali, Kombucha(Ginger, Blue Tea), Garlic Bread, Pizza, Mangalore Buns
Timings: 8 am – 3 pm & 6 pm – 10 pm(Wednesday Closed)
6. Sea Rock Cafe
This was the first cafe and place I stayed at in Gokarna back in 2017. Since then this place has not changed with their food quality or service, only improved. The food here is really delicious and it’s right on the Kudle beach. You should definitely try their breakfast while enjoying the sea views.
Price for two: ₹400 – ₹600
Location: Kudle Beach, Gokarna
Things to try at Sea Rock Cafe: Omelet, Dosa, Veg Thali
Timings: 8 am – 10:30 pm
7. Chez Christophe French Cafe
If you’re looking for a unique place to eat in Gokarna, try this French cafe – Chez Christophe. This is the oldest cafe on the Middle Beach, opened in 2010. The cafe has some great salads and desserts(Crème Brulée) to try. While it’s a little expensive, you should give it a try for once on your Gokarna trip.
It’s best to visit during the evening as they also have some live music.
Price for two: ₹800 – ₹1200
Location: Ratha Beedi, Car St, Car Street, Gokarna
Things to try at Chez Christophe Cafe: Crème Brulée, Lasagna, Pasta
Timings: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm & 7 pm – 10:30 pm
8. Namaste Cafe
If you know Gokarna, you might have already heard about Namaste Cafe on Om Beach. While the place provides an amazing sea view, the food is not really that great. It’s also the only cafe on Om Beach. You can definitely have a drink and enjoy the sea view for a while and later try other small shacks for food on Om Beach.
Price for two: ₹500 – ₹800
Location: Om Beach Rd, Gokarna
Things to try at Namaste Cafe: Dosa & Uttapam
Timings: 9 am – 4:30 pm & 7 pm – 10:30 pm
9. Bhagwan Cafe
Bhagwan Cafe is a very laid-back cafe with hippie vibes. Though it might be a little hard to find, the food and service are legit really good. You can also enjoy the amazing sea views the cafe offers while reading a book or having a great time with your friends. And you can not miss their non-veg starts which are so delicious.
Price for two: ₹500 – ₹800
Location: Middle Beach, Gokarna
Things to try at Bhagwan Cafe: Hummus Platter, Chicken Starters, Veg noodles, and Manchurian.
Timings: 7:30 am – 10 pm
10. Om Shanti Paradise Cafe
This cafe lives on the Belekan beach, which is the other side from where you start the Gokarna Beach trek. The food here is really good and they provide quantity too. The place is secluded and you’ll barely find a lot of tourists. Which means you eat food while enjoying the sound of waves!
Price for two: ₹500 – ₹800
Location: Belekan Beach, Gokarna
Things to try at Om Shanti Paradise Cafe: Bangra Thali, Fried Rice and Noodles
Timings: 7 am – 10 pm
These were a majority of my favorite cafes and restaurants in Gokarna. While the list doesn’t end here I have added a few more places to eat below:
Other notable cafes and restaurants to try in Gokarna
- Pai Hotel
- Sea Spirit
- Marine Uana
- Cafe De Malgudi
- Navratna Udupi Pure Veg restaurant
- Hotel Shree Durgamba
Hope this list of cafes and restaurants helps you explore the flavors of Gokarna. I have written a few other Gokarna guides that will help you plan an amazing trip to Gokarna, do give them a read.
- 26 Top Places to Visit in Gokarna
- The Ultimate 3-Day Gokarna Itinerary (With Prices)
- Budget Trip To Gokarna within ₹4500 – Gokarna Travel Guide
Nearby places in Karnataka
If you have any other questions about Gokarna you can add them in the comments below or DM me at Stories.of.raku
One Comment
Sonali Tripathi
Thanks for sharing, really helpful ❤️