Coimbatore Race Course Road meals information: Best locations to eat

Originally, it was precisely what its title suggests: a racecourse the place thoroughbred horses as soon as thundered down the monitor. As the races light into historical past, the land gave option to quiet, tree-lined residential streets. Bungalows with sprawling gardens and driveways outlined the world, housing town’s elite.

In the late Nineties, Race Course started evolving as soon as once more. Wide pavements made it a favorite amongst morning walkers and joggers, a status that also holds robust. But as foot visitors elevated, so did the meals exercise. Eateries started to spring up — first a number of bakeries and juice outlets, then eating places, cafés, and meals stalls. Today, Race Course is greater than only a health circuit. It has reworked into Coimbatore’s most vibrant meals hub, providing every thing from conventional Kongu delicacies to experimental avenue meals.

We got down to discover this culinary monitor. (We gained extra energy than we burned throughout our stroll round Race Course.)

Hibiscus tea at Yes Yes Bakes

Our first cease is Yes Yes Bakes, a modest bakery that has stood the check of time. Nestled reverse the Horse and Jockey statue, it has been serving clients since 1999. Owner CR Sornam remembers the early days:

“When we began, Race Course was quiet. There had been only some walkers, and most of the people got here right here for train, not meals. Our menu was easy — simply tea, espresso, and some snacks. But over time, as extra individuals gathered right here, we expanded.”

Today, their menu is intensive, that includes every thing from egg bonda, cutlets, paniyaram, and Maggi noodles to distinctive drinks like hibiscus tea. Intrigued, we order a cup. It arrives steaming scorching, a fragile floral aroma wafting from the deep purple brew, with an precise hibiscus flower floating inside. The first sip is soothing, although rather less sugar would have made it excellent.

Dragon momos at Dappakaarar’s Momos Factory

A couple of steps away, we spot a stall with a peculiar title: Dappakaarar’s Momos Factory. The title comes from proprietor Logeshwaran R’s household background in box-making (“dappakaarar” roughly interprets to “field man” in Tamil). But his ardour lies elsewhere: momos.

A former IT skilled, Logeshwaran left his job to begin his personal meals enterprise after a visit to Assam launched him to the world of genuine momos. He spent months researching recipes earlier than launching a stall that now boasts 75 varieties.

We attempt his Dragon Momos, made with complete wheat flour and filled with spiced rooster. Instead of the standard mayo, it’s served with a fiery garlic chutney — a daring transfer that pays off.

“When we began in 2017, momos had been largely present in high-end eating places. We wished to make them accessible, so we experimented with totally different flavours like Guntur Kaaram Momos (Andhra-style) and Malabar Chicken Momos (Kerala-style). Race Course was the proper location as a result of it attracts individuals from all walks of life,” Logeshwaran explains.

Mud Soufflé at Café Totaram

Next, we step into Café Totaram, a heat, welcoming house adorned with Manto illustrations and quotes from Ismat Chughtai. An indication on the wall reads: “All sizes, colors, ages, cultures, aliens, religions, and beliefs protected right here.”

The café is finest identified for its soufflés with ice cream, and we go for the chocolate soufflé topped with chilly vanilla ice cream. The mixture is divine with the nice and cozy, fudgy soufflé melting into the ice cream, making a wealthy, creamy swirl.

Founder Ranjana Singhal, who additionally runs On The Go and All Rise, says: “We began with On The Go in 2010. When I look again 15 years, Race Course was very totally different—there have been fewer high-rises and fewer eating choices. Now, it’s a thriving meals vacation spot. The problem for us now could be maintaining with new generations, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Despite the digital age, I’ve observed that younger individuals nonetheless love flipping via a bodily menu. It’s a studying curve, and we adapt accordingly.”

Pichu Pota Kozhi at Valarmathi Mess

From European-style soufflés, we head to a spot that serves pure Kongu meals: Valarmathi Mess. Established in 1986, this no-frills eatery has been visited by everybody from school college students to celebrities like F1 racer Narain Karthikeyan and actor Vikram.

We order their signature Pichu Pota Kozhi, the place tender, marinated rooster is slow-cooked in freshly floor spices and roasted to perfection. It’s a dish filled with deep, smoky, caramelised flavours.

Manager Sam, who has labored right here for over a decade, says: “When we began, Race Course was largely residential. But as the world modified, so did we. Having been right here since 1986, we’ve had the privilege of serving virtually two generations of shoppers. Many of them come again not only for the style but additionally for the nostalgia. For occasion, when the Law College was nonetheless right here, its college students had been regulars at our Mess. Even now, these former college students go to us, relive their recollections, and share tales of the nice outdated days.”

Ferrero Rocher ice cream at Richie Rich

To wrap up our journey, we cease by Richie Rich, an ice cream parlour with a legacy relationship again to 1977. Revived at Race Course by Vaishnav D, son of founder R. Dileep, the model has stood the check of time.

We attempt the Ferrero Rocher ice cream with darkish chocolate sauce — a hazelnut-infused delight, elevated by the bittersweet chocolate drizzle.

Though he complains of an growing rubbish disposal drawback due to the proliferation of meals joints and folks, Vaishnav confirms Race Course has turn out to be one of the best hang around spot within the metropolis.