About Us

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 "

Find out more

You can't ask that! (Sure you can!)

The elephants in the room...

We get the confusion, we're a bit of an unusual South Indian restaurant! ... Our story, our food, our locations and our love of community!

Where is Kerala and how is your food different to other Indian restaurants?

The state of Kerala is a little patch of India in the South. It's tropical, abounding with nature, mountains, river and 'backwaters'. Our food is quite different to the butter chicken and rogan josh's that many Indian restaurants are known for. It's 'lighter', often coconut infused, lentil based and includes stir frys, pachadis, daals and 'frys'.

What's the story of Babajis?

Our unusual story begins in a humble fisherman's village on the coat of Kerala, South India. It's 2008 and an Aussie girl from the Dandenong Ranges, Billy, meets an Indian boy Max (Mohammed) running his own restaurant. Together, they ran his beach side restaurant in Varkala, serving fresh fish and Kerala favourites to guests from across the globe.

Leaving this little spot of paradise was hard, but Billy's mountain home was calling... and so they started a new life in Australia. And like so many new immigrants, Max found himself in new jobs, not being paid legal wages and his skills ignored. And boy, did he miss 'his' cuisine which was so hard to find in Australia!

To survive early life in Australia - Babaji's Kerala Kitchen began. At first, with just $100 to our name, cooking dosa at small markets in the mountains. Until we were eventually able to open our first restaurant in Belgrave and then our second in Warburton in the Yarra Valley.

We are not a franchise and are run by the same team.

Why is Babajis in such unusual but picturesque spots?

We love how much the mountains feel like our Kerala 'home'... imagine Munnar in the Western Ghats with its mist, forests and rivers. We know you visit us for the food but our picturesque locations are as much a part of the Babaji's experience.

Ask us for the best spots for a forest walk after your feast or where to find the best view of the 'flatlands' (otherwise known to us as 'the city'!).