MOTOFOODIE

Kumta is a bustling town surrounded by Arabian Sea on the west and Aghanashini river to the north that ultimately meets the sea – creating a triple ecosystem of sea, freshwater and estuarine fishes to savour 😀
While I haven’t encountered a “bad” (read NOT FRESH) seafood in Kumta, one seafood restaurant stood out.

Utsav Hotel, Kumbeshwar temple road, Kumta
Popular among locals, Utsav Hotel is a small, no-frill restaurant serving delicious fare of Mangalorean-style seafood at very economical prices.
A fish thali costs INR 70 !!

• Must eat: Fish Thali, chicken ghee roast, Anjal masala fry, prawns fry
• Ambiance: non-AC, family and kids friendly
• Parking: no dedicated parking space for cars and motorcycles (motorcycles can be parked in front of the hotel, not possible for cars)
• Mode of payment: Cash, UPI
• No toilet for men and women
• No soft drinks are available
• Timings: 11:30am to 3:30pm and 7pm to 10pm (open all days of the week)
• Location: Utsav Hotel, Kumta (Google maps link)

With the main course over, next building houses a popular ice-cream shop serving delicious Gadbud ice-cream 🙂

New Simla Ice-cream Parlour, Kumbeshwar temple road, Kumta
Hidden in a basement, they serve the best Gadbud ice-cream in Kumta.

• Must eat: Gadbud, Lighthouse ice-cream
• Ambiance: non-AC, family and kids friendly
• Mode of payment: Cash, UPI
• No toilet for men and women
• Timings: 10am to 9pm (open all days of the week)
• Location: New Simla ice-cream parlour, Kumta (Google Maps link)

After such a meal, walk down to the beach to relish the sea breeze and catch a nap under a tree 🙂
Or if you aren’t lazy , head to the beautiful Mirjan Fort about 15kms from Utsav Hotel.

Useful Information on Mirjan Fort:

• Mirjan fort is located about 15 kms from Kumta
• Best mode of transport: motorcycle/private car , there are buses/auto-rickshaw which ply from Kumta to the fort
• There is NO entrance fee to visit the monument
• Parking: speak to the shops outside the fort to allow parking of the car, motorcycle and return the favour by buying snacks, cool-drinks, tender coconut etc
• Fort Timings: 9 am to 6 pm (all days of the week)
• Carry water, sunglasses and a hat while visiting Mirjan Fort
• Fort-tour guide: Not available