Pondicherry is also known as the French Capital of India. Almost every building, cafe, or restaurant’s architecture seems to be taken straight out of a storybook. Apart from the serene beaches, the other things Pondicherry is famous for are its cafes and restaurants. The best restaurants in Pondicherry are an endless array offering a unique experience and subtle vibe. hotels in Pondicherry are ready to host you with unbeatable hospitality, budget-friendly rooms and huge discounts.
Explore the best restaurants in Pondicherry
Best Non-Veg Restaurants in Pondicherry
1. Shree Kamatchi
If you have searched for the best non-veg restaurants in Pondicherry, you are bound to come across this restaurant. It is located in the centre of Pondicherry near the Indira Gandhi Statue. The interiors are intricately designed to reflect the French heritage as well as the local culture.
Trying seafood at this restaurant while at Pondicherry adds beautiful flavours to your trip. Furthermore, the highlight of having a meal here is trying the popular Trivandrum technique of mixing an equal quantity of rasam and buttermilk with the non-veg dish. It is considered the best way to end an amazing meal at one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry.
Location: 50, 100 Feet Rd, Sundararaja Nagar, Thanthai Periyar Nagar, Puducherry
Timings: 11:30 AM- 4:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 800
2. Food Paradise
Food Paradise is amongst the best restaurants in Pondicherry, with its bestsellers such as grilled chicken and Arabian biryani. Located near the Balaji Theatre, it provides high-graded quality service. For the last few years, they have been regarded as one of the best non-veg restaurants in Pondicherry for their commitment to hygienic halal dishes.
The highlights of the restaurant are the exquisite interior design which depicts the perfect combination of Indo-French heritage and art. The dishes are popular for their exquisite preparation technique and the rich flavours of the local community. Apart from the dishes, the lighting and interior are equally impressive. It offers a cherishing dining experience with friends and loved ones.
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Location: 29, Vallalar Salai, Bussy Street, Near Balaji Theatre
Timings: 11:30 AM- 4:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 600
3. New Banana Cafe & Restaurant
New Banana Cafe and Restaurant is a small rooftop restaurant near Ganesh Garden. Indulge in a unique Latin vibe to Indo-French cuisine at one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry. Experience a rare delight away from the hustle and bustle of the main city. Some of the prominent highlights of the restaurant are its tasty cheese salads, roasted chicken and desserts.
To add to this, try the fruitcakes, lemon pie and crepes, offering foodgasm with each bite. The restaurant’s spacious interiors and seating arrangements offer enough privacy and comfort. Over the last many years, it has been regarded among the best non-veg restaurants in Pondicherry.
Location: 76, Kamaraj Salai, Ilango Nagar, Puducherry
Timings: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (All Days Except Monday)
Average Cost for Two: INR 400
4. Les Saveurs
Les Saveurs is a highly recommended cafe by many food bloggers and travel magazines. It is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry. Since it is regarded among the best non-veg restaurants in Pondicherry, try their Croque Monsieur, which is the best-selling dish.
Stop here on a hot summer day for a quick and cool refreshing meal. The must-try drinks of the cafe are lemon mint and ginger mocktail. Gorge on the desserts, including macrons, pastries and fruit cakes. The interiors are designed in retro Indo-French style with Chinoiserie chairs, slab-cut tables and dim lighting from the 1930s refurbished lanterns and chandeliers.
Location: 36, Dumas St, White Town, Puducherry
Timings: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 1200
Best Italian restaurants in Pondicherry are –
1. Cafe Xtasi
Cafe Xtasi is a relatively small cafe compared to the others on the list but it offers authentic Italian dishes. This cafe has its own set of beliefs and rules that you would be more than happy to follow. The walls are adorned with beautiful artwork depicting the culture, heritage, and history of Pondicherry. It is a popular hangout spot for youngsters as it is always buzzing on social media platforms for various events and shows.
Featured in many travel magazines and blogs, it is one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry. If you are looking for exotic and the best Italian restaurants in Pondicherry, Cafe Xtasi offers board games, including chess, jenga, scrabble and monopoly.
Location: 36, Dumas St, White Town, Puducherry
Timings: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 1200
2. New Farm Fresh
New Farm Fresh restaurant in White Town has been quite popular and is one of the best Italian restaurants in Pondicherry. It is popular amongst travellers and the local community, being in the top tier of the best restaurants in Pondicherry. The service staff and chefs keep customer satisfaction in their highest regard.
The vegetable pizza, pesto pasta, and ravioli are bestsellers and draw in the crowd daily. Moreover, you can also relish soothing drinks such as ice teas, fresh juice, cold coffee, and french filter coffee to complete your meal delightfully. The decor is soothing to the eyes and offers a peaceful ambiance, making the experience relaxing.
Location: 41, St Louis St, White Town, Puducherry
Timings: 12:00 AM – 10:30 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 700
3. The Pasta Bar
Italian has always been a popular and favourite cuisine of travellers. Pasta bar offers mouth-watering Italian dishes and makes them intricately unique in flavour and experience. Regarded as one of the best Italian restaurants in Pondicherry, it offers a wide range of pasta and relishing cheesy pizzas with mocktails and cocktails suited to your preferences.
If you thought pasta included a penne or macaroni, then the Pasta bar is a haven for all Italian lovers. They have a dynamic variety of pasta with seatings overlooking the sea in Pondicherry. Strapponi, Chitarra Cacio e Peppe, and Tortellini are bestsellers at one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry.
Location: 248, Mission St, MG Road Area, Puducherry
Timings: 12:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Weekdays) | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Weekends)
Average Cost for Two: INR 900
4. Italize
If you are thinking of digging into the rich and creamy flavours of pasta and the wood-fired pizza prepared with absolute perfection, then Italize is a must-try. Rated highly in the list of best Italian restaurants in Pondicherry, the meals are crispy and soft simultaneously, giving a hearty end to your meal. When we speak of elite Italian dining, Italize is one place that has a variety of refined and authentic dishes.
Tagliolini Pasta is a homemade pasta served with Padano cheese that surely provides a fulfilling Italian meal. The dishes contain the goodness of unique cheeses and if you like, you can request the chefs to add a little brandy to your meal. A classic Italian Tiramisu is exactly what you need after a delightful meal. Experience an enriching time at one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry.
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Location: 1, 137, Mission St, Above Karnataka Bank – Puducherry Branch, Heritage Town, Puducherry
Timings: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 900
Best South Indian restaurants in Pondicherry are –
1. Maison Perumal
Maison Perumal is one of Pondicherry’s oldest south Indian restaurants in a 130-year-old family mansion. It served as a significant homage to the Tamil heritage of Pondicherry, making it in the list of best South Indian restaurants in Pondicherry. Intricate designs on the entrance door and a simple yet beautiful courtyard add to the elegance.
There are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities such as hand art decoration, kolam making, exploring the city on a cycle rickshaw and a heritage walk by INTACH. It is one of the restaurants in Pondicherry serving mouthwatering traditional South Indian cuisine. The preparation is intricate and the aroma of the dishes cooked in spicy curry enriches the dining experience.
Location: 44, 58, Perumal Koil St, Heritage Town, Puducherry
Timings: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 900
2. A2B Adyar Ananda Bhawan
Many places in Pondicherry serve south Indian meals but what makes A2B Adyar Ananda Bhawan stand out as one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry is their secretive take on the preparation. The authenticity lies in its South Indian Thali, with as many as 10 food items made without preservatives. The chefs belong to the local Tamil community and prepare premium south Indian cuisines.
Try dosas and a proper authentic lunch thali to pay an important ode to authentic Tamilian meals. It is reasonably priced and offers many indulgent dishes that are probably the closest resemblance to the original taste of southern India. The food served here is like a home meal and it is one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry.
Location: 11, Jawaharlal Nehru St, near Mankula Vinayagar Temple, White Town, Puducherry
Timings: 7:00 AM – 10:45 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 450
3. Surguru
Surguru is one of the best south Indian restaurants in Pondicherry, a multicuisine restaurant offering an ecstatic variety of meals. The prices are affordable to encourage walk-ins. Interestingly, fresh meals are cooked every day sharp at sunrise. Suguru hotel gives the feeling of a gentleman’s club dedicated to great food and makes it one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry.
Surguru is popular for its authentic Chettinadu cuisine, which consists of 25 dishes. The thali requires your attention consisting of chicken and mutton chukka, ilaneer payasam and rasam rice. These are all part of traditionally Tamil food set on a banana leaf with 25 dishes unlimited for consumption.
Location: 104, S.V. Patel Salai, Pondicherry
Timings: 7:00 AM – 10:30 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 500
4. Dindigul Thalappakatti
The familiar air with a different fragrance and the familiar soil with a different hue are the mottos of this restaurant. Quite popular amongst travellers as it preserves the clear taste of the land, Dindigul Thalappakatti is one of the best south Indian restaurants in Pondicherry.
The meals are cooked with love and affection poured alongside ghee. Meals remind you of the local authenticity of southern India. A secret of the meals that have been protected for 65 years is served with love and cooked with hand-ground spices. Thus, the experience and food served here make it a remarkable addition to Pondicherry’s list of best restaurants.
Location: 108, Kamaraj Salai, near Balaji theatre, Sithankudi, Brindavanam, Puducherry
Timings: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 1000
Romantic Restaurants in Pondicherry are –
1. Coromandel Cafe
An equally amazing cafe, like all the others on this list, Coromandel Cafe offers a whole different level of ambiance and romantic panache to your evening. If you are looking for the best romantic restaurants in Pondicherry, this should be at the top of your itinerary. It offers an intimate and soothing french vibe as it’s based in a gorgeous old French home.
It is well known amongst the tourists and local community for its amazing desserts that perfectly blend Indo-Fresh cuisines. Adding this to your list of the best restaurants in Pondicherry makes your trip even more special. They also serve highly nutritious dishes such as Lebanese immunity platters, the top picks among health-conscious individuals such as athletes and sportspersons.
Location: 8, Romain Rolland St, White Town, Puducherry
Timings: 8:30 AM – 10:30 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 1000
2. Sky Garden
Regarded as one of the best restaurants in Pondicherry, Sky Garden offers a rooftop experience with a view of the sea waves. It is structured as an open lounge and you can relish the meals while observing the sun and the beauty of the Bay of Bengal. Situated in the area of the White Town, it is a premium place to visit if you are looking for peaceful and romantic restaurants in Pondicherry.
The barbeques and wood-fired pizzas are quite popular here, along with a wide variety of signature dishes and relishing drinks. The architecture is inspired by 17th-century French architecture and overlooking the sea adds an extra touch of panache. Meals are curated and prepared with the utmost care and brilliance.
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Location: 317, Mission St, MG Road Area, Puducherry
Timings: 12 AM – 10:30 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 1200
3. Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
Get a kick of Mexican flavours at Margaritas Mexican on your trip to Pondicherry. It has been winning the hearts of travellers with nachos, tortillas and palatable burrito bowls. Rated high amongst the best restaurants in Pondicherry, you are to fall in love with its unique take on blending Mexican and south Indian cuisines.
If you are looking for lively and romantic restaurants in Pondicherry, this should be at the top of your list. The meals are tailored to your preferences offering a satisfying experience. The interiors are elegantly designed in red with beautiful afremov prints on the wall.
Location: 178, Bussy St, MG Road Area, Puducherry
Timings: 12:30 PM – 10:30 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 600
4. Le Dupleix
Le Dupleix is situated in a 19th-century building with colonial furniture, gorgeous art and a classic French theme. When you think of the Romantic Restaurants in Pondicherry, know this one is synonymous with great food and art. It has perfected the blend of French cuisine and Indian touch in seafood and creole.
Coming to the food, salted crepes and pancakes transport you to delicious food heaven. The place also has a section with different kinds of chocolates, coffee beans, and other products made of chocolate and coffee. So, do not forget to buy souvenirs here.
Location: 7, Casern St, White Town, Puducherry
Timings: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (All Days)
Average Cost for Two: INR 1200
Pondicherry has ecstatic and dynamic food with beautiful views all around you and experiences the true beauty of the amalgamation of French and Indian Cultures. Visiting any of these best restaurants in Pondicherry surely adds an extra layer of finesse to your trip.
