Trilokah Kerala and South Indian Restaurant

I was soooo excited that this opened in such a great location here in the city. I want the restaurant to succeed because we really don’t have accessibility to good South Indian cuisine in this city. I really loved the ambiance and how clean the space was. Having Madras coffee really hit the spot, especially when served in stainless steel. It really reminded me of India! The decor very thoughtfully curated as well. Some opportunities for improvement include the following. Food: The Idli and Dosa were great, but both could have been served at a much warmer temperature. The sambar tasted authentic but was watery and also not hot enough. Service: We had to look around a lot for help, so perhaps more service staff could be helpful. I understand it has only been a week though so hopefully this gets better! Either way, super excited this place has opened! I would go back!

March 24th: Our order : Thattukada chicken varuthathu(chicken fry spicy) to go - this was delicious, i finished an order just by myself . I remembered to click a pic only after eating half of it. March 23rd: They opened in the city yesterday, we loved their food in Mt Prospect center and we're excited that they opened in the city . We were stoked to be their 1st official order after opening The complimentary Samosa and pakoda they served after their grand opening were really good too. Our order: Thalaserry goat biriyani- was very flavorful, we enjoyed it. Pottichooru - this was our favorite, three was kerala rice, cabbage sabzi, fresh coconut chutney , fried sardines and omelet in the wrapped packet. And an accompanying fish curry on the side. The flavors in the fish curry were spot on especially paired with kerala rice. Kutthu parota - this felt drenched in oil, we didn'teat much of it. ,

Someone like me who grew up in Kerala, eaten the cuisine all over the world ... Trilokah started in Mount Prospect about 6 years ago was a dream come true. There is no other place like this that serves authentic Kerala food in the Midwest. You won't be disappointed, give it a try. Kerala Porota, Thattukada Chicken Fry and Beef Curry are my top 3 favorites.

I was really excited to learn that Trilokah was moving in from Mt. Prospect because there are very limited options for Kerala food in the city. However, I was left quite disappointed after my visit. Mysore masala dosa had a great tang from properly fermented batter and generously filled with tasty red chutney and masala. All the accompaniments were great but came in quite small portions. Unfortunately, the dosa was very greasy despite my request for less grease. Tandoori chicken was heavily coated in marinade yet somehow was bland and slightly dry. The most memorable thing about the pothichoru was the single piece of underseasoned fish in its side curry. As for the appams, they lacked the expected delicate, lacy edges and were as thick as pancakes throughout. Service was spotty and slow. Hopefully, things will be better as they ease into this new space.

Trilokah moved to the city and brought their authentic and variety of Kerala cuisine to Lincoln Park. Porotta and Beef roast are the test of Malayalee food and as always Trilokah s is just right blend of spices , texture , softness. Can't go wrong with the beef roast. Mussels (Kallumakaaya) are spot on.

I recently tried Trilokah Kerala & South Indian Restaurant, and I can confidently say this was one of the best South Indian meals I’ve had in Chicago. It was also my first time trying Kerala-style curries, and wow… I’ve truly been missing out. Here’s everything we ordered: • Medu Vada • Veg Uttapam • VEG Kothu Porotta • Veg Varutharacha Curry (with rice and paratha) • Kadala Curry with Puttu • Mysore Masala Dosa • Veg Cutlet • Lime Soda Let’s break it down: The Medu Vada, Uttapam, and Dosa came with sambhar that was incredibly flavorful—rich, well-balanced, and clearly made fresh. I was honestly sipping it like soup. The vada was crispy on the outside and soft inside, the uttapam was hearty and satisfying, and the dosa was perfectly crisp with just the right amount of spice in the masala. The Veg Kothu Porotta might have been my favorite dish. It was bold, spiced beautifully, and had so much texture and flavor in every bite. If you’ve never had it before, think of it like a flaky paratha stir-fry that hits every note—savory, spicy, comforting. The Kerala-style curries blew me away. The Varutharacha curry was rich, coconut-based, and packed with depth. It paired perfectly with both the rice and the flaky paratha (which by the way—was unbelievably soft and fluffy). The Kadala Curry with Puttu was another standout. Earthy, hearty, and full of warm spices. It was my first time having puttu, and I loved the texture contrast with the curry. The Veg Cutlet was crispy, lightly spiced, and served as the perfect starter. And the Lime Soda was refreshing, the kind of drink that just ties everything together—simple but effective. On top of that, the owner was there that day and took the time to greet and chat with us. He was incredibly kind and welcoming, and you could tell how much pride and care goes into every plate. The hospitality alone would make me come back, but paired with the food? Easily a new favorite. If you’re vegetarian and looking to try authentic Kerala cuisine—or just want a South Indian spot that does it right—Trilokah is the place. I’m already planning my next visit.

This place is a gem and I hope more people are able to come for a visit. The ambiance is great, the staff and owner are all so friendly, and the food was exceptional. We had the Thalassery Dum Chicken Biryani, Beef Fry, Kerala Porotta, and Mysore masala dosa, and all are must gets in my opinion. The price is also very fair. Will definitely be coming back!

Place was super great! First time at a Kerela based restaurant, felt great to support local. They were slammed on a Saturday Lunch rush but vibes were still up. Food was so amazing. We got the gobi Manchurian (so fire), then chilli/onion Uttapam (spicy but great), and chicken pollichathu, Very awesome!

Food was excellent! Authentic taste Service was very good ! Great Ambience! hats off to the cook . Thank you!!

Trilokah is a welcome addition to the Lincoln Park-adjacent food scene. I love South Indian food and was thrilled to have it so close to home. The restaurant is still relatively new in this spot and appears to be still working out some kinks, but I think they'll be great once they get into a better rhythm. My friend and I both had dosas. She ordered a butter chicken dosa and I got a masala dosa. Mine was very tasty but a little unevenly cooked, greasier than any other dosa I've had, and not very hot, while hers was perfectly executed. It made me think there might have been some timing issues in the kitchen. The chutneys were very good, one coconut and one peanut, the latter a little spicy. I also ordered a mint lime drink, which they forgot even though there weren't many other diners in the restaurant. But they delivered it right away after I asked. It was tasty but was flatter than I expected some a drink with club soda. The service was friendly and laid back. On the plus side, we felt welcome to stay as long as we wanted. On the downside, things were pretty slow, so it might be tough if you want to have a quick meal. Even though things weren't perfect on our visit, I'll definitely give them another try, maybe after they've had some more run time in the space.

Tried Trilokah for the first time and I'm seriously blown away. This was my first time having Kerala-style curries and WOW. so much flavor in every single bite. We got the medu vada, uttapam, Kothu Porotta, Varutharacha curry with rice + paratha, kadala curry with puttu, Mysore masala dosa, veg cutlet, and lime soda... and everything was The sambhar that came with the vada, uttapam, and dosa was so flavorful I could drink it. The paratha was fluffy and perfect. The Kothu Porotta and Kerala curries were next-level delicious. Also, the owner was there and SO kind and really welcoming and you can tell they care. Super impressed and definitely coming back. Veggie-friendly and full of flavor

Trilokah is a great spot if you're craving bold, flavorful South Indian dishes with a side of fusion flair. We ordered a variety of items and loved most of what hit the table, especially the dosas and curries. What We Loved: Mysore Masala Dosa - Perfectly spiced, crispy, and generously filled. A solid standout! Podi Dosa - Another hit! The podi added that nutty, spicy layer that made it extra comforting. Egg Curry with Appam - Rich, flavorful curry paired with soft, lacy appams--a must-try combo. Gobi Manchurian - Crispy, tangy, and addictive. A great starter to share. Vada Sambar - Flavorful and satisfying, though the vada could have been a little crispier. Drinks - We tried the mango shake and lime soda. While refreshing, they didn't quite hit the mark with our group--missing a bit of balance or boldness. Overall Vibe: Comfortable, lively space with great service Menu is creative but stays true to South Indian flavors Great for sharing plates and casual group dinners

Came in on Sunday and it was packed by 1pm. It's a small bustling restaurant. Refreshing to see a regional Southern Indian cuisine featured in the heart of Chicago. All the mutton/goat dishes were pretty good. The clay pot dish with fresh parotta (layered flatbread) topped with goat and pepper goat was the highlight. The kids liked cheese dosa and the kids approved the accompanying sambar (a must have veggie stew) and asked for more. The thallaserry biryani (similar to paella) and tawa roasted shrimp was good too. My toddler liked the shrimp and dosa very much. My only qualm is that there was bit too much fat in goat dishes but taste was good. The preparation is pretty authentic so be prepared to see bone in pieces. Though they may offer some usual dishes that Americans are used to seeing, I probably recommend stick to what they are known for ,which is the Kerala and Southern Indian specialties. It was nice that I could actually come in and speak to the host in my native language for the first time in the city in over 30 yrs.

Went here again! We just love this place :) The restaurant has never disappointed with any of its dishes! We love the chicken korma and the vegetable stew! Highly recommend the fish wrapped in banana leaf!! It was moist and tasty Shabin (restaurant owner) does a great job maintaining the place !! Great service and cute ambiance!!

We visited Trilokah over the Easter weekend. The restaurant was clean, well-maintained, and featured charming Kerala-inspired décor. We started with the Thattukada Chicken Varuthathu -- hands down my favorite dish of the evening. It was authentically prepared, with juicy chicken pieces fried to perfection. Unfortunately, the lime soda didn't live up to expectations and was a bit of a letdown. Next, we tried the Thalassery Chicken Biryani. It had all the right flavors and was quite enjoyable, though I found the masala a bit overpowering. My husband, on the other hand, absolutely loved it. We also had the Chatti Porotta with beef. The porotta was perfectly flaky, and the beef was decent. The dish came with a fried egg, but I personally would've preferred an omelette instead. Still, it was satisfying overall.

New indian restaurant location! My friend and I went to this location a week into it opening. The inside is nicely decorated with pictures and paintings. It definitely is a smaller restaurant and there was a short wait for the 2 of us. Definitely expect to wait a little. I don't think the staff expected it to be so busy, so the service was definitely very slow but I am hopeful that as they stay open longer, it'll improve. We got the masala dosa which was delicious and was paired with coconut chutney, peanut chutney and sambar. Wow, the sambar was one of the best I've had in Chicago. The egg noodles were under the indo chinese section and were honestly mid. The gulab jamun was good but cold and soggy by the time we got it. All in all, would definitely come back for the dosa but ultimately, would pass on the other things we got. Worth checking out if you're in the area and are craving dosa!

Went here the second day of the opening around evening. Ambience was clean and quiet. Staffs were extremely friendly and polite. It's an authentic kerala south indian restaurant. I am so glad we finally have one close to downtown and this might give a hard competition to thattu. What I like here about food is that there are a lot options from general Indian food menu to the authentic kerala dishes. Authentic dishes are quite on the pricey end for an Indian restaurant. On an average it comes upto $24 for few authentic kerala dishes. Love their tea and it's so refreshing. It's a bang on the buck. Appetizers we had Thelissery goat fry and I also did a take out for chilli chicken. Goat fry was good but chilli chicken was a bit messed up. Entrees I tried Veg stew with appam and also did a take out on vijayawada chicken biriyani. Both of them were fresh and rich in flavor. Appams were so tasty. For desserts I tried palada payasam it was a hit sweeter for me. It could have been a bit milder in sweetness and rich in flavor. Overall majority of the experience was good and food is fresh but can get a little bit pricey.I hope they keep up the same quality and can work on prices. Brownie points for the location and proximity to downtown.

Trilokah has a lot of potential to be even better! The restaurant has a charming decor with traditional artwork and lovely family photos that give it a warm, welcoming vibe. Service was a bit on the slower side, especially considering it wasn't too busy at the time. I'm giving it 4 stars mainly because my masala dosa was light on the masala potatoes, the coconut chutney lacked flavor, peanut chutney was super yummy (wish I had more) and overall, the Dosa dish was just warm--not hot. I needed more masala potatoes and chutney with my dosa. That said, the fish dish was excellent, and the Madras coffee was a standout. It's exciting to see a South Indian restaurant in this area offering such unique flavors and dishes. I'll definitely be returning to try more of the menu!

We visited the newly opened Trilokah on a Friday evening one week after their ribbon cutting. The restaurant has potential. The service staff tried hard but seemed overwhelmed by the full house. The food was interesting and enjoyable. The extensive menu offers both familiar Indian dishes (Chicken Tikka Masala) as well as more exotic South Indian cuisine. The vegetarian curry with black chickpeas was delicious. The Chef Speciality shown in photo was complex in its construction and an interesting dish. We will probably be back in a few months and provide an update.

We tried a couple of dishes Chicken Varuthathu (Fry) was mostly all bones and very little meat, not what someone would expect for the price. Chicken dum biryani was a small portion made of short grain rice, not sure if that's how it's prepped I would have expected long grain basmati rice. Taste was ok.

I ordered food today that said it was originally going to be ready at 8:08. The system updated to 8:23 which was completely fine. When I arrived at 8:23, I was consistently told 2 or 5 more minutes till 9. As the people waiting piled up, they continued to tell others the same thing. I was handed my food at 9 with several other people at tables looking around for their food.

Service is pathetic. Waiting for an hour and no signs of food. The host has no idea what is going on, even coffee arrived after waiting for an hour. The picture describes what you get after waiting for an hour

My wife and I had a chance to go today as we were craving dosa! I highly recommend getting their masala dosa. Beef fry and paratha was really good too! We will be back. Great service too!

I absolutely LOVE this place. The owner and staff are so genuine and the food is really good. They have quickly gotten very popular so I hope they have time soon to realize just how great they are doing! I work right across the street and it is very easy for me to get food from here. I am never disappointed and always try something new. This time I had the Shrimp Molly and wow did I get shrimp! The portion sizes are generous and you really do get a lot of tasty food for your dollar. Excuse my messy photo, we were just really excited for the food!

This has been one of the most disappointing service experiences I've had. The food is taking an unreasonably long time to arrive, and it's not just me--none of the tables seem to be getting their orders. What exactly is going on in the kitchen?

Not a good experience. Service is bad. Staff is not helpful at all. We waited for more than an hour and we left without getting food. Do not waste your time.

Great variety of shareable dishes, friendly and quick service, and cool cultural decor. Definitely recommended.

Horrible horrible service! Waited for more than 70 minutes to just get a cup of coffee that too without sugar. The staff was unbothered when asked about the wait time or update on food items. Terrible experience. Never going there again.

Great, authentic food. Everything we got was fantastic, will definitely be coming again!