Cafe Malabar
A Kerala restaurant that started as a public market stall, winning the 2026 Vancouver Magazine Victoria Bronze Award, located near the Inner Harbour.
Starting as a small stall in the public market in 2023, it moved to Swift Street by the Inner Harbour in 2025 to become a full-service restaurant. Led by chefs Kiran Kolathodan and Karma Tenpa, who were named YAM's Chefs of the Year, it won the Bronze Award in the Victoria category from Vancouver Magazine in 2026. The menu highlights Kerala flavors, using coconut, tamarind, curry leaves, and black pepper to prepare local seafood. Dinner features fish curry, Fish Koyilandi, Kerala biryani, and appam, while lunch features dosas. Reservations can be made via OpenTable. Mains are around 22–31 CAD. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Located on the north side of the Inner Harbour, close to Chinatown.
Opening hours
Lunch: Wed–Sun 12:00–14:30; Dinner: Wed, Thu, Sun 16:00–20:00, Fri, Sat 16:00–20:30; Closed Mon and Tue
Nearby sights
- Victoria Chinatown & Fan Tan Alley
- Market Square & Lower Johnson
- Victoria Whale Watching
- Inner Harbour & Fairmont Empress
- British Columbia Parliament Buildings
- Royal BC Museum
- Fisherman's Wharf
- Emily Carr House