Where a cup of coffee sits next to a painting.
A mud-walled, bamboo-roofed cafe on the Kottayam–Kumily road, built by hand and hung wall to wall with an artist's own work. Come for the cappuccino, stay for the gallery.
Resident Artist & Founder
Siby P. Martin & Family
Designed and hand-built the two-storey mud and bamboo structure. All oil paintings, clay modeling, and glazed ceramics across the cafe walls are crafted by Siby and his family.
Our story
A cafe built the way a painting is made — slowly, by hand
Clay Art Cafe began as artist Siby P. Martin's studio and grew into a two-storey house of mud and bamboo, raised the traditional way: rammed earth walls, a thatched roof, and window frames fitted by hand.
Every wall inside doubles as a gallery. The paintings, ceramics, and clay work on display are made on site, and visitors can request a live clay modeling demonstration at the wheel while enjoying fresh cappuccino.
Located along the Kottayam–Kumily highway near Ponkunnam, it serves as a peaceful art retreat and EV charging pitstop for travelers heading toward Vagamon or Sabarimala.
Storeys of mud & bamboo
Original works on the walls
Hand-built, no shortcuts
A cozy retreat for art, coffee, and stories
Step into an earthy sanctuary where every corner tells a story. Relax by our hand-assembled wooden tables decorated with global currency, explore our mini-library, and treat yourself to fresh cappuccinos and home-baked chocolate cakes.
GatherGlobal Connections
Sharing stories around our hand-built tables embedded with currencies from around the world.
BiteSweet Afternoons
Indulge in fresh home-baked layered chocolate cake and chilled fruit shakes.
CraftThe Master's Pour
Every cappuccino is crafted with care, bringing delicate latte art to your table.
RetreatA Quiet Corner
Find a quiet space to read, think, or write over a warm cup of coffee.
BakehouseDecadent Delights
Rich, multi-layered chocolate cream cake baked fresh daily in our kitchen.
ArtLiving Gallery
Take a stroll inside the mud-walled studio displaying original local art.
AmbienceEarthy Sanctuary
Relax in our traditional rammed-earth booths built slowly by hand.
StoriesMini Library
Browse through a curated collection of local literature, art books, and novels.
TravelersHighway Respite
A welcoming, peaceful pitstop for travelers on the Kottayam–Kumily highway.
MemoryLeave Your Mark
Sign our hand-bound visitor register and share your thoughts in our guestbook.
Original Studio Work
Art Gallery
Original oil paintings, clay modeling, glazed ceramics, and carved wood artwork crafted on site by Siby P. Martin & family.
The Vintage Voyage
Tap for spotlight view
Backwater Fisherman
Tap for spotlight view
Kerala Homestead Spoon
Tap for spotlight view
Kathakali Expression
Tap for spotlight view
Purple Twilight River
Tap for spotlight view
Miniature Teak Souvenirs
Tap for spotlight view
Terracotta Studio Vases
Tap for spotlight view
The guestbook
Notes left behind by visitors
“Stopped on the way to Thekkady and stayed an hour longer than planned. The mud walls actually keep the place cool, and the cappuccino was better than I expected from a roadside cafe.”
“Half cafe, half gallery, and somehow neither half feels like an afterthought. Watched a bowl get thrown on the wheel while I waited for my order.”
“My kids wanted to leave after ten minutes, we left after two hours. There's just something about drinking iced tea surrounded by paintings that made the whole family slow down.”
Follow along
From the cafe's Instagram
New work, fresh brews and the odd half-finished pot — @clayartcafe
Find us
On the road between Kottayam and Kumily
Look for the thatched bamboo roof and mud walls just off the highway in Ponkunnam — you'll know it when you see it.
Located on Kollam–Theni Highway (K.K. Road) · 30 km from Kottayam · Near Ponkunnam Post Office. Ideal pitstop en route to Vagamon, Sabarimala, or Thekkady.
Address
Kottayam–Kumily Road, Ponkunnam, Kottayam, Kerala 686504
⚡ EV Charging Station
Fast DC & AC charging on site while you enjoy fresh brews.
Hours
- Sunday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Monday – Saturday10:00 AM – 7:30 PM