At Babaji’s, we’re often asked: “Where exactly is Kerala?” or “What makes Kerala food so different?” We love these questions and telling you the stories of our homeland.
Our place - Kerala is a lush, tropical state on the southwest coast of India, right where the Arabian Sea meets a coastline of coconut palms, spice gardens and backwaters. Known as “God’s Own Country”, Kerala is famous for its natural beauty, ancient Ayurvedic traditions, warm hospitality, and of course, its unforgettable food.
Although it’s a bit colder in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges than it is in Kerala – the drive to Babaji’s restaurants, through mountains, lush forests and little villages – feels like you could be in Kerala. We’ll make that drive worthwhile and have your favourite Kerala dishes and a glass of toddy waiting!
Bringing Kerala to Australia
It’s Kerala where Babaji’s story starts. Growing up in a small fisherman’s village, Max’s days were spent helping mum grind fresh spices, tending to the garden, learning her home cook tricks and playing cricket on the beach. A simple diet of fresh fish and kappa every day, special treats were mutton and Kerala’s famous beef curry. Max watched his hometown of Varkala change from a sleepy village to one of Kerala’s most famous tourist destinations.
With little formal education but plenty of vision, Max could see his town changing and the opportunities shining and so, he opened his first restaurant on Varkala cliff. It was rustic, but hugely successful and it was here he met Billy – passing through as so many travellers do.
But this traveller never went home... she’d found a little spot of paradise
and the universe had spoken.
Bringing banana leaf feasts to the Dandenongs
Monsoons came and went, tourist seasons geared up and down and it was time for Max to come to Australia. With the unknown ahead, Max began life in Australia ... struggling to find ‘his place’ and missing the smells and flavours of home.
With very little cash, they started a market stall cooking dosa – with the dream to eventually open a small restaurant in Billy’s childhood home - the Dandenong Ranges. Initially, they didn’t describe their food as ‘Keralan’ as it wasn’t something well understood in the community.
As their confidence grew and their market stall gained popularity, they realised that Aussies yearned to learn more about South Indian cuisine and that the more authentic - the better it was embraced.
From those early dosa days, Babajis started introducing their community to some of Kerala’s most famous dishes – banana leaf sadya, beef fry, fish fry and Malabar parotta.
‘Why do you serve beef?’
Kerala beef curry to us is like a parma is to an Aussie. We all have our favourite spots, usually at the Toddy Shop. Kerala has a big Christian and Muslim population and so you won’t find the usual taboos around beef. You can expect it to be tender, and the spicier the better!
'I feel like I’m eating at ‘home’ at Babajis’
This is the best complement you can give us at Babajis. We learnt from our mums and try not to make changes. We don’t cook in a large production kitchen and still hand cut every single fresh vegetable including for our avial dish with its hand cut winter melon, beans, okra, taro, carrots and plantain. We think you can taste the difference.
A restaurant for everyone
Whilst the food has to be delicious, there’s more to Babajis. From giving back to the community and being Melbourne’s only dog friendly Indian restaurant, Babajis welcomes everyone.
You don’t need a plane ticket
We don’t all have the funds or time to take ourselves off to Kerala. We hope that Babajis gives you just a little taste of Kerala without the expensive plane ticket. A steaming mug of rasam by our open fires at Babajis Warburton, a crispy dosa after a forest walk at Babajis Belgrave
... we’ll whisk you away for the time you are with us.
No passport needed. Just your appetite.
Ready for a taste of Kerala?
Book a table in Belgrave or Warburton
Reserve online now
Order takeaway
Place your order through Me&U
View our full menu
Download the latest menu (PDF)
Prefer to chat?
Give us a buzz on 03 8288 2982
