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Come on a journey to a

land of coconut palms & spice.

From tropical Kerala, South India

...to the forests of Melbourne's

Dandenong Ranges & the Yarra Valley

 

You’ll find the home cooked style dishes

you miss from Kerala

and a dash of India’s favourite street foods.

Welcome to

Babajis Kerala Kitchen

The Best South Indian Restaurant in Melbourne - Babaji's Kerala Kitchen

 Bringing our communities together with homely South Indian cooking
&
 a warm Aussie country welcome.


Melbourne's best South Indian restaurant

How is Babaji's Kerala Kitchen different to other Indian restaurants?

Most Indian restaurants in Australia specialise in North Indian cuisine. Instead we invite you to try South Indian cuisine, specifically that from our home state of Kerala, at the very bottom of South West India.

Like other Indian states, we have our own unique culture and a very distinct cuisine.

'Kerala' translates to the 'land of the coconuts', it's also where many of the world's spices are grown.

Our menu - expect lighter dishes perfect for an Australian summer with an emphasis on coconut, mustard seeds & curry leaves.

Give us lentils and we'll turn it into more than a daal - from crispy dosas to steamed idli ricecakes - this is healthy, wholesome, comforting goodness - cooked with love. 

View all of our frequently asked questions here

 

OUR TOP FIVE KERALA SPECIALITIES AT BABAJI'S KERALA KITCHEN! 

Melbourne's best Onam Sadya is at Babajis!

It's Onam 2026!  Be quick - we've just released our Early Bird Tickets!

Celebrate Onam with Melbourne's best Onam Sadya at Babaji's Kerala Kitchen.

Feel like your back home in Kerala for this year's Onam celebrations .

The drive through the mountains. Excitement. Anticipation. Mallu tunes playing. 

The food. Homely. Like mums. 

The hospitality. Welcoming. Generous. Smiles all around. 

Be quick! Tickets for Onam at Babaji's Kerala Kitchen are limited and ALWAYS sell out!

This year's unlimited Onam Sadya includes sambar, perripu, moru, puliserri, pineapple pachadi, beetroot pachadi, cabbage thoran, avial, olan, mezhukku, kalan, banana chips, upperi, mango pickle, lime pickle, inji curry, vermecelli payasam, channa daal payasam & matta rice. 

Optional Sides will be available for purchase - fish fry, chicken fry, beef fry. 

Sorry - only Onam Sadya available at this time. No other item will be available from our menu.

ONAM SADYA 2026 TICKETS - Limited tickets available!

$10 non refundable deposit required on booking.  (This is deducted from your final bill).

Adult $50 (seat).  $45 (seat) Early Bird special available  until 3rd August.

Child $35 (seat). $30 (seat) Early Bird special available until 3rd August. 

Kids under 5 - free. 

(Chicken nuggets & chips available as alternative to sadya meal).

Follow links below to book your ticket now!

Sat 22 August - Babaji's Kerala Kitchen - BELGRAVE.  Sessions - 12.30pm | 3pm | 6.30pm

Sun 23 August - Babaji's Kerala Kitchen, BELGRAVE.  Sessions - 12.30pm | 3pm

Sat 29 August - Babaji's Kerala Kitchen WARBURTON. Sessions - 12.30pm |  3pm |  Evening - Full Babajis menu with our standard sadya available. 

Sun 30 August - Babaji's Kerala Kitchen, WARBURTON. Sessions - 12.30pm |  3pm

Find out more about our two restaurants: 

Babaji's Kerala Kitchen Warburton, Yarra Valley.

Babaji's Kerala Kitchen Belgrave, Dandenong Ranges.

 

 

FIND US IN THE MOUNTAINS ...

The beautiful mountain drive to Babaji’s is just as much part of the experience as our Kerala cooking and our friendly Aussie welcome.

BABAJIS BELGRAVE, DANDENONG RANGES

Is just 50 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD at the start of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, a 5 minute drive from the 1000 Steps, Puffing Billy Steam Railway and 15 minutes from the Tesselaar Tulip Festival

Come for a hearty feed and hot chai, stay longer for a forest walk and to breathe the mountain air.

📍 1/1644 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave, 3160

☎️  Book here.  We only take bookings on line and not by phone.

At very busy times - 'walk ins' may not be accepted. Bookings will always be honoured.

📸  Explore our favourite local spots to visit in the Dandenong Ranges.

BABAJIS WARBURTON, YARRA VALLEY

You’ll find us 90 minutes from Melbourne.

Nestled at the start of the Yarra River | Birrarung in picturesque Warburton.

We’re 10 minutes from the majestic Redwood Forest and 20 minutes from Mount Donna Buang where you’ll find the closest snow to Melbourne in winter. 

Set in a 1930s cabaret dance hall, with open fires, a beer garden on the river and surrounding mountain views, Babajis Warburton oozes romance and Munaar vibes. 

📍 3305 Warburton Highway, Warburton, 3799 

☎️ Book here.  We only take bookings on-line and not by phone. 

At very busy times - 'walk ins' may not be accepted. Bookings will always be honoured.

🎁 Venue hire available for groups of 60-200.  

📸 Explore our favourite local spots to visit in the Yarra Valley.

Opening Hours

Mon, Thurs, Sun 12-8pm, Fri & Sat 12-9pm. Open public holidays. Check our Google listings for unplanned closures.

🐕  Outside dog friendly dining available. 

Belgrave Restaurant Info | Warburton Restaurant Info

 

You say …

"We were swept off to Kerala for lunch. Decor is so vibrant that you can't help but smile from the moment you walk in'. Ria, Google, 2023"

"I had a nostalgic evening, eating dishes by mum and grandma used to cook when we were young'.  Shena, Google, 2022"

"Amazing place. With such ambience. Purely South Indian feels'. Maverick, Google, 2022 "

View our brochure

On the hunt for Melbourne's best South Indian catering?

The same philosophy that earned us a Good Food Guide Hat, two years running, is the same we bring to your wedding, family celebration or corporate event...Whether its for 12 guests or 500, the rule is the same:

The taste of Kerala.

No shortcuts.

Noone leaves hungry.

and 100% transparent easy to understand pricing.

Why choose Babaji's Kerala Kitchen for catering in Melbourne?

1. Award winning.  We're recognised as being the number one Kerala restaurant in Melbourne. Our catering is cooked by the chefs at Babaji's Kerala Kitchen Belgrave and Babaji's Kerala Kitchen Warburton. 

2. We understand cross-cultural relationships & events. Babajis was founded by Billy and Max, an Aussie girl from the Dandenong Ranges and a Kerala boy who's love language was in the food he cooked. Family expectations, dietary needs, bringing two (or more) very different cultures together and feeding a crowd - with love - this is our space. 

3. 100% transparency in our pricing and options available for every budget. No matter the event, fancy or humble - the price of our dishes remains the same.

If you'd like to pick up self serve curries direct from Babajis - there are no extra charges.

BUT if you are looking for the full Babajis live experience, from roaming canapes to lavish buffets - we'll listen to your vision and provide you with a customised all inclusive quote which includes chefs, service staff and styling. Every cost clearly seperated.

4. Live stations. From dosa, to appam (live hopper station) and a fresh fish tava... guests will delight in watching traditional South Indian dishes cooked live in front of them. 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW BABAJI'S KERALA KITCHEN SUPPORTS COMMUNITY IN THE DANDENONG RANGES & YARRA VALLEY

A community-driven South Indian restaurant in Warburton & Belgrave

Babaji’s Kerala Kitchen is a South Indian restaurant in Warburton (Yarra Valley) and Belgrave (Dandenong Ranges) — built on one simple idea:

Good humans helping other good humans.

Why giving back matters to Babaji’s

Babaji’s Kerala Kitchen began in 2014, when Max came from Kerala to start a new life in Australia with Billy from Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges.

Like many people starting again from scratch, it wasn’t easy. There was hard work, very little money, and a lot of uncertainty. At a time when Babaji’s was just a dream, two kind people stepped in and gave us a helping hand.

First, they helped us start our market stall. Later, they helped us open the doors to our first restaurant - Babaji’s Kerala Kitchen in Belgrave.

Without them, Babaji’s would not exist.

We have never forgotten that.

Everything we do to support our community comes back to one simple idea: good humans helping other good humans.

Community Days | Charity dining in the Yarra Valley

Every month from February to December, Babaji’s hosts fundraising Community Days. 

On these days, we donate 10% of all restaurant turnover to a local community group.

When you dine with us at our restaurants in Warburton or Belgrave, you’re not just enjoying South Indian food — you’re supporting local community fundraising across the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

See upcoming Community Days.

Local impact | Community fundraising in action

Babaji’s Community Days have helped:

Preschools build playgrounds

Scouts attend camps

Local artists rebuild after hardship

2025 / 2026 Community fundraising highlights

Waratah Animal Shelter, Warburton - buying medicine for sick wildlife

Gladysdale Primary School – school kitchen

Belgrave Lantern Parade – traffic control

Selby Community House – phone system upgrade

Upper Yarra Garden Club – event marketing

Body of Wellbeing – community events

Sherbrooke Little Athletics – first aid kits

Wesburn Dog Obedience Club – trainer development

3MDR Radio – broadcasting support

Upper Yarra SES – new truck

Millwarra Primary School – kitchen garden

Apply for a Community Day at Babaji's Kerala Kitchen | Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

Are you part of a local community group across the Dandenong Ranges or Yarra Valley looking to raise funds?

Babaji’s Community Days support:

Schools

Clubs

Community projects

Grassroots organisations

Tell us about your project — we’d love to help.

Pay It Forward meals | Supporting locals doing it tough

We know that for many people, every dollar counts.

If you need a meal, come in and have a chat — you’ll be looked after.

We also work with local food support programs like Community Casseroles and have donated over 1000 meals. 

You can support this by adding a small donation when dining in or ordering takeaway.

More than a restaurant

For us, supporting community is not an add-on. It’s part of who we are.

Babaji’s was built because someone believed in us.

This is our way of keeping that spirit alive.

BABAJI'S COMMUNITY DAY GOOD NEWS STORIES...

Babaji's fundraiser to help Upper Yarra SES

 

We are grateful to be able to cook and live on the lands of the

Wurundjeri & Boon Wurring people of the Kulin nation.