Rock Cafe

Kovalam


A friendly, simple seaside old-timer with check-print tablecloths and reliably good fresh cooking, hidden behind fishing boats where Hawa Beach meets Lighthouse Beach. Sample local lobster, mussels and tiger prawns, banana-leaf-steamed fish of the day or a little something from the evening-only tandoori oven.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kovalam attractions

1. Lighthouse Beach

0.14 MILES

A powdery stretch of gold-and-black sand, Kovalam's main beach is notable for the candy-striped lighthouse at its southern end.

2. Hawa Beach

0.17 MILES

Popular with domestic day trippers, Hawa Beach is a busy sandy strand just north of Lighthouse Beach.

3. Vizhinjam Lighthouse

0.37 MILES

Kovalam's most distinguishing feature is the working candy-striped lighthouse at the southern end of Lighthouse Beach. Climb the spiral staircase – or zip…

4. Vizhinjam Marine Research Aquarium

0.56 MILES

About 500m northwest of Kovalam's lighthouse, this small series of tanks displays fish from Kerala's waters, including lionfish and eels.

5. Samudra Beach

0.6 MILES

Around the headland north of Hawa Beach, Samudra's sandy blonde expanse is overlooked by a gold-and-green mosque and the five-star Leela resort.

6. Mosque

0.68 MILES

Painted in gold, cream and lime green, this modern mosque sits on Samudra Beach.

7. Vizhinjam

1.01 MILES

About 1km south of Kovalam's Lighthouse Beach, Vizhinjam village has a busy harbour from where fishing boats head out each day, along with one of Kerala's…

8. Rock-Cut Temple

1.05 MILES

Amid neatly tended, banyan-shaded grounds 500m north of Vizhinjam harbour, this small shrine is one of Kerala's most ancient rock-cut temples. A sculpture…