Gecko Restaurant

Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)


Two friendly brothers run this cute blue-and-yellow-walled spot sprinkled with colourful artwork and wood carvings, and with daily seafood specials chalked up on boards. The offerings and prices aren’t that different from other tourist-oriented restaurants, but the personalised service and excellent cooking makes it worth a visit.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) attractions

1. Trimurti Cave Temple

0.24 MILES

At the northern end of the Mamallapuram Hill compound, the Trimurti Cave Temple depicts the Hindu 'trinity' amid guardian figures: Brahma (left), Shiva …

2. Ganesh Ratha

0.26 MILES

Decorated with lion-shaped pillar bases, the Ganesh Ratha is carved from a single rock and was originally a Shiva shrine.

3. Krishna's Butterball

0.26 MILES

You can't miss this enormous boulder (and favourite photo spot), balancing precariously on Mamallapuram Hill, right opposite the compound's northernmost…

5. Arjuna’s Penance

0.27 MILES

The crowning masterpiece of Mamallapuram’s stonework, this giant relief carving is one of India's greatest ancient artworks. Inscribed on two huge,…

7. Varaha Mandapa

0.28 MILES

Home to some of Mamallapuram's most brilliant carvings, the Varaha Mandapa depicts Vishnu's boar avatar, Varaha, lifting the earth out of the oceans (left…

8. Raya Gopura

0.29 MILES

Generally thought to be an unfinished gopuram dating from the 16th century.