Cafe Kudumbashree brings Kerala flavours to Delhi’s India Gate

Cafe Kudumbashree, a women-run eatery inside the India Gate amenity block in New Delhi, has become a popular stop for Malayali travellers heading north. Run by Karmile Surendran, 52, known as Leena chechi, and a team from the Kudumbashree self-help network, the cafe serves authentic Kerala meals at affordable prices.

Breakfast includes set dosa with red coconut chutney and sambar. Lunch offers red matta rice with cabbage thoran, raita, papadam and pickle for Rs 80, with non-vegetarian options like fish fry or fish curry for Rs 80, and ghee rice with chicken curry for Rs 200. Evening snacks feature unniyappam, pazhampori, vettu cake and other traditional items.

Leena, who recovered from a spinal injury, said the cafe has empowered her to support her family. The Delhi outlet is Kudumbashree's first such initiative outside Kerala. Despite space constraints and induction cooking, Leena says they prepare everything fresh without artificial colours or flavours, cooking as they would at home.