Chennai (Madras) Restaurants

Restaurants in Chennai (Madras)

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of 2

  1. A

    Amethyst

    Set in a stunning lemon-coloured, colonial-era building, this place is comfortably posh. The lush garden setting and patio dining takes the cake for restaurant ambience. Expect comfy couches, tasteful antique furniture and afternoon tea with lovely cucumber-and-mint-chutney sandwiches.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Coconut Lagoon

    Excellent Keralan and Goan fare with a focus on seafood delicacies, such as kari meen polli chathu (fish masala steamed in banana leaf).

    reviewed

  3. C

    Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Mylapore

    Dependably delish, 'meals' at the Saravana Bhavans, although this locale has some 'special meals' if you're willing to pay a bit more.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Zara’s

    Though this tiny place is a little tough to find, seekers will be rewarded by this ultracool tapas bar. Expect genuine Spanish flavour: everything from squid and olives to tortilla and sangria. Three-course lunch specials with wine or beer are a decent deal at Rs225/245 for veg/non-veg. The bar here doubles as a popular hang-out in it’s own right.

    reviewed

  5. Sparky’s Diner

    Sparky’s is a wall-to-wall homage to kitsch. This expat-run ‘American’ diner is plastered with US state licence plates and movie posters, has Sinatra crooning on the radio, and decks its waiters out in baseball shirts. Look out for OK American specials like deep-fried chicken or Cajun gumbo.

    reviewed

  6. Fisherman’s Fare

    This small, spotless, AC dining room gets packed to the rafters come lunchtime, with punters digging into well-prepared fish fare ranging from shrimp to fish curries to tandoori fish. There’s a great lunchtime special for Rs155.

    reviewed

  7. E

    Kitchen K

    Earth tones, clay pots and wrought-iron chairs make for a soothing ambience at this café serving Hyderabadi and Northern dishes. Cake Walk next door has tiramisu, apple pie and black forest cake, among other indulgences.

    reviewed

  8. F

    Hotel Saravana Bhavan

    Dependably delish, ‘meals’ at the Saravana Bhavans run around Rs50, though the Mylapore locale has some ‘special meals’ for Rs95 and up. The Thousand Lights branch is more upscale, with an Rs180 buffet and silver cutlery.

    reviewed

  9. G

    Ratna Cafe

    Though often crowded and cramped, Ratna is renowned in Triplicane and beyond for its scrumptious idlis and the hearty doses of sambar (soupy lentil dish with cubed vegetables) that go with it.

    reviewed

  10. H

    Amaravathi

    Amaravathi serves hot Andhran specialities on banana leaves. Try the biryani or mango prawn masala (an Andhran interpretation of a Keralan classic), but we'd stay away from the mutton-bone soup.

    reviewed

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  12. I

    Ponnusamy Hotel

    This well-known non-veg place serves curry, biryani (steamed rice with meat or vegetables) and Chettinad specialities. Look out for interesting options like pigeon fry and rabbit masala.

    reviewed

  13. J

    Gyan Vaishnava Punjabi Dhaba

    When asked about his excellent pure-veg Punjabi, Jain and other Northern dishes, Mr Vaishnava opened his arms and said, 'I'm giving quality… with love.' And that's the truth.

    reviewed

  14. K

    Gallopin' Gooseberry

    This American diner-style place does fab Cajun, mushroom and tikka burgers, as well as pasta and sandwiches. It also delivers. The Fruit Shop next door has exotic juices and shakes.

    reviewed

  15. L

    Benjarong

    From the finely crafted furniture and calming ambience to the attentive service and superbly presented food, this Thai restaurant is an experience. Most mains are around Rs200.

    reviewed

  16. M

    Annapurna

    A bustling hole-in-the-wall that serves up a lip-smacking taste of Bengal in Chennai’s Egmore district. Try the bhetki paturi (fish baked in banana leaves). Yum.

    reviewed

  17. N

    Copper Chimney

    Vegetarians might want to give this meat-centric place a wide berth, but others will drool over the yummy North Indian tandoori dishes served among plush furnishings.

    reviewed

  18. Murugan Idly Kadai

    Those in the know generally agree this particular branch of the small chain serves some of the best idli and South Indian meals in town. We heartily concur.

    reviewed

  19. O

    Vasanta Bhavan

    Excellent ‘meals’ (Rs40). The older Vasantha Bhavan down the street at No 10 is not as good but has more charm and also sweets.

    reviewed

  20. P

    Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Thousand Lights

    This branch is more upscale than some of the others, with a buffet and silver cutlery.

    reviewed

  21. Q

    EcoCafé

    So-so food in an atmospheric garden, under arty lamps hanging from an almond tree.

    reviewed

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  23. R

    Suriya Sweets

    Chennai's second-favourite sweets, with an organic veggie market.

    reviewed

  24. S

    Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Triplicane

    Dependably delish, 'meals' at the Saravana Bhavans.

    reviewed

  25. T

    Hotel Saravana Bhavan, George Town

    Dependably delish, 'meals' at the Saravana Bhavans.

    reviewed

  26. U

    Romallee

    Open-air Hyderabadi barbecue.

    reviewed

  27. V

    Grand Sweets

    Chennai's favourite sweets.

    reviewed