-KH News Desk (cbedit@imaws.org)
Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the opening of The Malabar, its new fine dining specialty restaurant at Sterling Wayanad. Built as a destination dining experience, The Malabar brings Kerala’s culinary heritage into focus, combining heirloom dishes, cultural storytelling, and premium service rituals to create a memorable gastronomic journey for guests. It’s a place where the world once docked to dine.
The inauguration was celebrated with a series of traditional and cultural events that reflected the spirit of the restaurant. The day began with floral arrangements and rangoli at the entrance, followed by a puja ceremony. The ribbon-cutting formally declared the restaurant open, after which guests gathered on the terrace for a Theyyam performance—a dramatic art form from northern Kerala that symbolised the deep connection between food and culture. The festivities continued with a guided spice garden tour in the afternoon and concluded with a dinner service set to live performances and soulful Sufi tones, giving guests an immersive experience of The Malabar’s approach to dining.
The Malabar’s menu is compact and curated, spotlighting dishes that are both iconic and rare. Star offerings include Chemeen Biryani, Erachi Puttu, Malabar Mango Cloud Fish, and Koonthal Nirachathu, alongside forgotten classics such as Chakka Pathiri Nirachathu. The restaurant also gives vegetarian cuisine equal weight, with dishes like Koon Curry, Raw Jackfruit Cutlets, Mathanga Erissery, and Cheera Parippu Curry forming a complete, culturally resonant selection. Each plate is presented with careful attention to design and backed by stories that highlight its roots.
“The Malabar was built on the voice of our guests. Insights from 4,200 reviews and reorder patterns showed us that 45% were actively searching for heirloom Kerala dishes but couldn’t find them, and many remembered the view of Wayanad but not the meal. That disconnect — in a ₹700+ crore fine-dining market with no regional leader — became our opportunity. The Malabar answers with authentic recipes, theatrical service, and a fine- dining format that creates recall and loyalty. For Sterling, this is not just about food — it’s about transforming dining into a strategic asset that elevates every destination we serve. To dine here is to step into theatre of sea, spice and story.” said Dileep Nair – Head of Operations, Sterling.
For Sterling, the launch represents another new local-driven dining format, coming after the successful launch of Amo Odisha at Sterling Puri in 2024. From standard buffets to a concept dining format – it adds value to a guest’s expectation. By bringing together heirloom dishes, local ingredients, cultural rituals, and sensory detail, The Malabar has been designed to stand out as one of Kerala’s signature fine-dining addresses.
