The always-anticipated Air Canada ‘Best New Restaurants’ longlist is out for 2024 and just one spot from Victoria made the cut!
This longlist is one of Canada’s most prestigious honours that prompts foodies from across the country and beyond to seek out as many of the eateries as possible.
Café Malabar is a food vendor stall in the Victoria Public Market that serves food featuring the authentically vibrant flavours of the Kerala state of India.
They use fresh ingredients from the Pacific Northwest to emulate the flavours of the Southern Indian region.
Some highlights from Café Malabar’s menu are their Spicy Prawn Fried Rice (KAYAL CHEMEEN), Crispy Fried King Fish aka (PORICHA NEYMEEN), rice and coconut rolls (PUTTU) and of course, their rice pancakes (APPAM).
They have a myriad of authentic Keralan curries and biryanis as well.
Earlier this year, Café Malabar also won Yam Magazine awards for being the Best South/Southeast Asian Restaurant and they were second runner-up for Best New Restaurant.
The writer who described their experience at Café Malabar in their Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants writeup painted a picture for those seeking something new from the food scene in Victoria.
“I press the button for service at a kitchen stall in Victoria Public Market and moments later I’m lit up with the fiery lick of a proper chai, ginger and cardamom at the fore,” they wrote.
“A parade of dishes arrives at communal tables: clay pots of fish chatty choru, flaky egg puffs and lacy rice hoppers.”
The Kerala Pepper Beef Roast was described as having plentiful spice, while only giving a gentle prickle of heat.
“The gravy, sticky with onions, garlic, tomatoes and ginger, is deftly mollified by coconut oil. Southwest India seems that bit closer.”
In November, the longlist of 32 restaurants will be cut down to just 10—so Café Malabar only stands a near one-in- three chance of making it through and achieving top honours with Air Canada.
Have you tried Café Malabar before? If so, let us know how it was in the comments!
