Confession: I used to be against the cafe culture.
Back when I lived in the city, I saw cafes as bougie indulgences—an excuse to spend way too much on coffee and ambience. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. That is until I started treating them as my little productivity havens. Slowly, they became my go-to spots for a good workday with great food, a warm mug of coffee, and a cosy corner that somehow made deep focus easier.
Still, I didn’t think this would extend beyond city life. Cafes feel like a quintessential urban thing to me. So, when I found myself in a relatively remote town in Kerala for Kalaripayattu training, cafes were the last thing on my mind.
Also read: A Journey into Kalaripayattu at a Gurukul in Kerala
But life surprises you in the smallest, sweetest ways.
Here I am, eagerly driving half an hour every week, not just to discover cafes, but to return to them again and again. I’ve fallen in love with the whole ritual—ordering my usual, settling into a comfy spot, and watching my productivity flourish while I savour good coffee and food.
The most surprising part? In Perinthalmanna, this doesn’t even feel like the indulgence it used to. The prices are so nominal compared to the city that I don’t have to limit myself to a once-a-month treat. These cafes have become a weekly retreat—my perfect blend of work and joy.
Here are three cafes that stole my heart in this unassuming little town:
Just Loaf
This is my absolute favourite. While their vegetarian menu started small, every single item is a chef’s kiss (they’ve expanded it now). My go-to order was always a cappuccino and their incredible Code Green Fries. Pair that with their to-die-for Biscoff Cheesecake, and I was set for hours. In fact, I never left without spending at least three hours here, getting solid work done while enjoying the warm, inviting vibes.
Planet Cafe
The entrance to this place is the cutest—it instantly puts a smile on your face. Their menu offers a variety of options, and it’s such a cosy spot to work from. I made it a little tradition to try something new from their cold brews every time I visited, and not once was I disappointed. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel at home, even when you’re buried in your laptop screen.
Cake Studio
If you love honey cake, you need to try theirs. It’s next-level good! But what really sets this place apart is the ambience. One time, my friends and I—none of us even remotely good singers—found a microphone kept for live performances and decided to give it a shot. We were absolutely terrible, but the staff didn’t flinch. They smiled, indulged us, and let us have our little moment of joy. That kindness is something I’ll never forget.
It’s funny how something I once dismissed has now become a regular part of my routine—even in a town as small and quiet as Perinthalmanna. Cafes here aren’t just about coffee and ambience; they’ve become little sanctuaries of productivity and comfort.
So, to anyone passing through Perinthalmanna or settling in for a while—don’t sleep in these cafes. Who knows? You might just fall in love with them, too.
