At India Gate, Cafe Kudumbashree serves a Kerala stopover for northbound travellers

Mohammad Inaam, a college student from Kannur, had stopped at Cafe Kudumbashree three times while passing through Delhi on trips north. His latest visit came while travelling to Nepal with two Malayali youths he met on a train.

The women-run cafe operates from an India Gate amenity block that houses eateries from different states. Kerala government allotted the space, which is registered in the name of Karmile Surendran, 52, known as Leena. She runs the outlet with women from Kudumbashree, a women-led self-help and community network.

Breakfast includes set dosa, sambar and red coconut chutney. At lunch, the cafe serves red matta rice with sambar, cabbage thoran, raita, papadam and pickle for Rs 80. Fish fry or fish curry is also priced at Rs 80, while ghee rice with chicken curry costs Rs 200.

Evening trays carry unniyappam, ela ada, pazhampori, vada and other Kerala snacks. Leena said the team prepares food fresh on induction cooktops and does not use artificial colour or flavouring. “We cook the way we do at home,” she said.