Must-see restaurants in Chennai (Madras)

  • Amethyst

    Chennai (Madras)

    Set in an exquisitely converted warehouse with a wraparound veranda from which tables spill out into lush gardens, Amethyst is a nostalgically posh haven…

  • Peshawri

    Chennai (Madras)

    Perfect for a five-star splash-out, the ITC's signature Northwest Frontier restaurant serves inventive, flavour-popping creations at intimate booths…

  • Copper Chimney

    Chennai (Madras)

    Meat-eaters will drool over the yummy North Indian tandoori dishes served in well-lit, stylishly minimalist surroundings, but the veg food here is…

  • Annalakshmi

    Chennai (Madras)

    Very fine South and North Indian vegetarian fare, plus glorious fresh juices, in a beautiful dining room decorated with carvings and paintings, inside a…

  • Double Roti

    Chennai (Madras)

    'Double roti' refers to burger buns – the semi-open kitchen at this always-packed, super-casual, industrial-chic cafe plates them up with fun, flair and…

  • Enté Keralam

    Chennai (Madras)

    A calm ambience seeps through the four orange-toned, three- to four-table rooms of this elegant Keralan restaurant. Lightly spiced pachakkari vegetable…

  • Junior Kuppanna

    Chennai (Madras)

    From an impeccably clean kitchen (which you're welcome to tour) come limitless, flavour-packed lunchtime thalis, dished up traditional-style on banana…

  • Southern Spice

    Chennai (Madras)

    Silver palm-shaped plates, wood-carved pillars, candlelit tables and flower bowls recreate a swish South Indian palace setting for some of Chennai's…

  • Chap Chay

    Chennai (Madras)

    Zingy Thai curries, delicately flavoured dim sum and outstanding, unlimited build-your-own stir-fries set the scene at this classy (but pricey) pan-Asian…

  • Writer's Cafe

    Chennai (Madras)

    Half Higginbotham's bookshop, half casual cafe/restaurant, this is one of the best spots in Chennai for inexpensively priced, finely prepared,…

  • Hotel Saravana Bhavan

    Chennai (Madras)

    Settle in for the ultimate all-veg South Indian thali at this uberpopular Chennai chain, which is also excellent for South Indian breakfasts (idlis, vadas…

  • Chamiers

    Chennai (Madras)

    This bubbly 1st-floor cafe feels a continent away from Chennai, except that Chennaiites love it too. Flowery wallpaper, printed cushions, wicker chairs,…

  • Raintree

    Chennai (Madras)

    This refined, wood-ceilinged restaurant is arguably Chennai's best place to savour the flavours of Tamil Nadu's Chettinadu region. Chettinadu cuisine is…

  • Hotel Saravana Bhavan

    Chennai (Madras)

    The Thousand Lights branch of this prominent Chennai vegetarian chain is more upscale than most and does a 30-odd-item, ₹320 lunch and dinner buffet (11…

  • Hotel Saravana Bhavan

    Chennai (Madras)

    This famed vegetarian chain is brilliant for excellent-value South Indian thalis (lunchtime only here) and simple, authentic South Indian breakfasts of…

  • Hotel Saravana Bhavan

    Chennai (Madras)

    Dependably delish, Chennai's famous vegetarian chain doles out epically good South Indian thalis and breakfasts (idli and vada ₹45 to ₹70, dosa ₹70 to…

  • Mamagoto

    Chennai (Madras)

    An immensely popular Asian and Southeast-Asian street-food-style spot that's usually packed with fashionable foodies and waiters in cheeky-sloganed T…

  • Ciclo Cafe

    Chennai (Madras)

    Cycle-mad decor includes wheels on lamps, chandeliers made from chains and bikes dangling in the window. But this place is more than just a gimmick: there…

  • Dakshin

    Chennai (Madras)

    Upscale Dakshin specialises in the cuisines of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Traditional sculptures, mirrored pillars and…

  • Rayars Mess

    Chennai (Madras)

    Down a dusty narrow alley off Arundale St, shoebox-sized Rayars has been pulling in ravenous crowds for over 70 years with its crispy evening bonda …

  • Jannal Kadai

    Chennai (Madras)

    You take what you're given from the chap in the 'window shop', a fast-and-furious hole-in-the-wall famous for its hot crispy bhajias (vegetable fritters),…

  • Ratna Café

    Chennai (Madras)

    Often crowded and cramped, Ratna is famous for its scrumptious idli accompanied by hearty doses of its signature sambar (soupy lentil dish with cubed…

  • Tuscana Pizzeria

    Chennai (Madras)

    Tuscana turns out authentic thin-crust pizzas with toppings like prosciutto, mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes, as well as more creative takes such as…

  • Madras Masala

    Chennai (Madras)

    The Fortel hotel's restaurant has an impressive range of Indian veg and nonveg dishes, including great biryanis and all-day snacks. It's tranquil and…

  • Nair Mess

    Chennai (Madras)

    Big flavours are rustled up in a starkly simple setting at this no-nonsense, forever-busy spot, pocketed away in a lane opposite the Chepauk cricket…

  • Murugan Idli Shop

    Chennai (Madras)

    Those in the know generally agree that this particular branch of the small Madurai-born Murugan chain serves some of the best idli, dosa, uttapam and…

  • Murugan Idli Shop

    Chennai (Madras)

    An oasis of air-conditioning and tasty, cheap South Indian food in the George Town area, this place manages to be busy and exceptionally clean at the same…

  • Mehta Brothers

    Chennai (Madras)

    This tiny spot pulls in the crowds with the deep-fried delights of its signature Maharashtrian vada pavs – spiced potato fritters in buns, doused in…

  • Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre

    Chennai (Madras)

    It's all about deliciously griddled, ghee-coated idlis and uttapams at this 37-year-old eatery in the thick of George Town.

  • Adyar Ananda Bhavan

    Chennai (Madras)

    Tuck into cheap South Indian classics, veg biryanis or thalis (₹120) in the clean AC hall upstairs, or go for snacks downstairs.

  • Spencer’s

    Chennai (Madras)

    Good supermarket convenient for Egmore and Central train stations.

  • Big Bazaar

    Chennai (Madras)

    Big, busy supermarket stocking international products.

  • Nilgiri's

    Chennai (Madras)

    Handy supermarket for self-caterers.

  • Amma Naana

    Chennai (Madras)

    Well-stocked, upmarket supermarket.

  • Big Bazaar

    Chennai (Madras)

    Well-stocked, central supermarket.