Enjoy The South Indian Experience At These 20 Places to Eat in Chennai

Chennai, like any major city, has so much diversity that influences from across cultures can be seen assimilated in to everything going on around and this is especially evident in the food.

With no shortage of great restaurants, cafes, street carts etc to eat at, the choices over the years has grown so vast that sometimes it can be difficult to agree on where to go and what to eat. But do not fret; our list of the 20 best places to eat in Chennai will guide you through your gourmet journey in the city.

Night Out Places to Eat in Chennai

1. Robot

Though unusually called Robot, the aptness of this restaurants name will be obvious once you step in; from greetings at the door to ordering and even table service, everything here is taken care of by our mechanical cousins at this high tech, new age restaurant.

Futuristic décor and the neon lighting add to the sci fi experience plus there are always a few human around to help out. Absolutely packed all days of the week, be sure to make a reservation a day or two in advance.

• Location: Semmancheri
• Timings: 12 Noon to 3 pm and 7 pm to 11 pm
• Cuisine: Chinese, Thai
• Cost for two: Rs. 1200

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2. Pumpkin Tales

One of the few places open early in the morning for a good continental or English breakfast is Pumpkin Tales in Alwarpet, Chennai. Raising their shutter at 7 am, the places ambiance and service is perfect for a leisurely breakfast of brunch out.

With so many options to customize your meals, you can be sure to get your order exactly as you like it. Not only is the breakfast menu great here, you can also find some delicious options for lunch and dinner, including a vegan menu.

• Location: Alwarpet
• Timings: 7 am to 10 pm
• Cuisine: English, Continental
• Cost for two: Rs. 1000

3. Amelies Cafe and Creamery

Open all day, Amelies Café is frequented by lunch and dinner goers too as they have quite an extensive menu. Italian and continental here is their specialty as are the wide range of delicious desserts and fun mocktails; breakfast is served here all day long too. A country inn vibe makes the places fell like home and the staff and service is excellent as well.

• Location: Alwarpet
• Timing: 11 am to Midnight
• Cuisine: Italian, Continental, Snacks
• Cost for two: Rs. 900

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4. Absolute Barbecue

As the name suggests, this place is all about grilled food. Though the main audience here is definitely the meat eater, there are quite a number of vegetarian options on the menu too, similarly prepared and equally delicious.

Head here if you want to satisfy your primal hunger pangs and prepare yourself for a meat feast! Ambience is bright and spacious with a great view of the kitchen in the background.

• Location: T Nagar
• Timings: 12 pm to 4:30 pm, 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm
• Cuisine: Barbecue, Indian, Continental
• Cost for two: Rs. 1800

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5. Royal Indianaa

Located within the Accord Metropolitan Hotel in Chennai, the Royal Indianaa restaurant specializes in North and South Indian cuisine. A huge selection of Indian specialties as well as many options for ‘Thali’ (a sort of buffet served to you at your table), the experience too is regal as the name suggests.

Being one of Chennai’s more popular restaurants for an authentic Indian experience, better make a reservation so you don’t get disappointed.

• Location: GN Chetty Road
• Timings: 12 om to 3 pm, 7 pm to 12 am
• Cuisine: North and South Indian
• Cost for two: Rs. 1600

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6. Animal Kingdom

Not strictly for kids, this children friendly restaurant in the south of Chennai is also a hit with adult on account of its great food, service and décor.

A multi cuisine menu means that everyone is happy once the food arrives. Jungle themed, the venue is decorated with fake wildlife but the fun is absolutely genuine.

• Location: Adyar
• Timings: 12 pm to 3 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm
• Cuisine: North and South Indian, Chinese, Continental, Thai
• Cost for two: Rs. 1200

Places to Eat In Chennai: Fine Dining In Chennai

1. Once Upon A Time

Located within the Green Park Hotel, Once Upon A Time offers a fine dining experience and can often be seen crowded with corporate clientele.

Offering a wide spread buffet, the a la carte menu too is excellent with some amazing North Indian delicacies and a sinful dessert menu. First class ambiance and service is what people have come to expect of this must visit establishment.

• Location: Vadapalani
• Timings: 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm
• Cuisine: North Indian (buffet available)
• Cost for two: Rs. 2000

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2. Lobby Café

Situated in the heart of the city, access to this restaurant is easy and convenient. For groups that all want different things on each of their plates, this has got to be the best option.

Indian, Continental, Italian, Chinese, Mughlai and more are all available here under one roof and to the credit of the kitchen, each dish churned out is authentic and spectacular. Within a luxury hotel, the restaurant too is tastefully decorated, civilized and quiet.

• Location: Arumbakkam
• Timings: Open 24 hours
• Cuisine: Multi cuisine
• Cost for two: Rs. 2000

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3. Winter Palace

Located within the Russian Cultural Centre in Alwarpet, the Winter Palace restaurant is a unique experience on all counts. Superb service, amazing ambience and fantastic food will make you come back for more.

The kebabs on the menu here, mostly European, are devoid of the usual spicy and overpowering masalas we may be used to, however, the change is most welcome and delicious. An elaborate menu having great vegetarian options too makes it ideal for a night out with friends.

• Location: Alwarpet
• Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
• Cuisine: Russian, Continental
• Cost for two: Rs. 1800

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Places to Eat in Chennai: Best Buffet In Chennai

1. Rajdhani

Best known for its excessive Thali and indiscriminate use of pure desi ghee, Rajdhani is an institution that has stood the test of time and is now the last word in most cities for this Indian style buffet.

A traditional and pure vegetarian restaurant, the mouth-watering delicacies will leave you completely satiated. Dozens of dishes served to you on a huge steel plate with little bowls, the variety in this one meal is unreal and excruciatingly delicious.

• Location: Royapettah
• Timings: 12 pm to 3 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm
• Cuisine: Rajasthani, Gujarati
• Cost for two: Rs. 1000

2. Annalakshmi Restaurant

A favourite in Chennai, the Annalakshmi Restaurant is best known for its authentic and delicious South Indian and North Indian delicacies.

Vegetarian only, even hard core meat eaters will not have a thing to complain about with so much choice on the menu and buffet too. The spacious dining hall is welcoming, cosy and decorated in very traditional Indian tones.

• Location: Egmore
• Timings: Noon to 3 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm
• Cuisine: South Indian and North Indian
• Cost for two: Rs. 1200

3. Pind

A popular place for some great North Indian food like tikkas, butter chicken, paneer makhanwala etc. Pind is a great place to go to with family and friends. A cosy and relaxed ambiance along with some delicious delicacies makes for an amazing night out.

Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers a fantastic buffet as well with an amazing variety of specialties from the northern parts of the nation.

Location: Velachery
Timings: 12 pm to 3 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm
Cuisine: North Indian, Punjabi
Cost for two: Rs. 1000

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4. Ente Keralam

If you are craving some South Indian non vegetarian food then Ente Keralam is definitely one place you have to put on top of your list. Some of the best dishes from Kerala, the restaurant is an institution in the city.

With a wide selection of mutton, chicken, fish, beef and veg thali on offer here, the buffet style meals is a good bet if you’re not in a large group and want to try out a number of preparations.

• Location: Alwarpet
• Timings: 12pm to 3 pm, 7 pm to 10:30 pm
• Cuisine: Kerala specialty restaurant
• Cost for two: Rs. 900

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Places to Eat in Chennai: Best Quick Places Eats in Chennai

1. Wai Wai City

Anyone living in the city that loves noodles will be happy to hear that the famous Wai Wai City franchise is now in Chennai. With restaurants and kiosks in quite a few cities already, these guys are serving it up quick and hot in Semmancheri.
A wide range of options, combinations and permutations, you can even create your own bowl. Try some of the other snacks served here too like the chicken momosas for sure, a cross between a momo and a samosa!

Location: Velachery
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
Cuisine: Noodles, Chinese Snacks
Cost for two: Rs. 400

2. Nair Mess

Caption: Quick service, great food, typically South Indian – Nair Mess

An economical place to eat in, Nair Mess is also serving some of the most tasty non veg South Indian food you can find in Chennai.

A quick service restaurant, the place offers an authentic experience from the basic Udupi style décor to the service on banana leaf. Mutton masala, chicken fry, seafood thali, biryani and much more keep the place packed during lunch and dinner services.

Location: Triplicane
Timings: 11 am to 3 pm, 7 pm to 10 pm
Cuisine: South Indian (non-veg)
Cost for two: Rs. 350

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3. Hotel Saravana Bhavan

A favorite the world over and especially in India, South Indian food is simple yet simply delicious. With most of it being in a vegetarian format, these local delicacies are also very affordable and easily available.

With over 50 branches around the world, Hotel Saravana Bhavan is surprisingly still one of the best places to eat South Indian food and they have managed to maintain not only authenticity but also kept it affordable.

Location: All over the city
Timings: 7 am to 10 pm
Cuisine: South Indian, North Indian
Cost for two: Rs. 450

Places to Eat in Chennai: Best Street Food Places To Eat

1. Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre

Street food carts and kiosks are a big parts of any Indian city as they keep the hungry masses fed on the move. For some great South Indian vegetarian street delights such as uttapam, idli, podi idli, dosa and the kind, be sure to try out Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre in Sowcarpet. Tasty, clean, quick and downright cheap, this stall open every evening gets packed towards the night.

Location: Sowcarpet
Timings: 6:30 pm to 11 pm
Cuisine: South Indian Fast Food
Cost for two: Rs. 200

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2. Hemanth Chats

If you happen to be in Chennai, then take a walk around and discover the numerous stalls and carts on every corner serving a variety of local treats. If you want some great chat, especially pani puri, stop off at Hemanth Chats in Vepery shop for a quick fix. A value for money and light option, the stall opens late afternoon but gets pretty busy towards the evenings.

Location: Vepery
Timings: 3:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Cuisine: Indian Chat
Cost for two: Rs. 150

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3. Kings Vadapav

For a taste of Mumbai right here in Chennai, go down to Kings Vadapav in Purasawalkam and try the this burger from Bombay; you will not be disappointed. Located within a bustling shopping area of Chennai, Kings Vadapav is small on price but huge on taste.

With a number of combinations as well as a proper chat counter, this little roadside kiosk is a boon to hungry shoppers.

• Location: Purasawalkam
• Timings: 12 pm to 10:30 pm
• Cuisine: Vada pav and Chat
• Cost for two: Rs. 100

4. R.K. Sandwich Shop

As the name suggests the shops sells sandwiches; as averagely tempting as this may sound, R.K. Sandwich Shop is not your typical roadside sandwich wala.

A wide variety of this favorite snack can be had here with delicious combinations of fillings making the perfect quick bite on the go. Also a counter selling chilled pani puri as well as other chats will be sure to tempt you here.

• Location: Triplicane High Road
• Timings: 1130 am to 1030 pm
• Cuisine: Sandwiches, Chat
• Cost for two: Rs. 100

Now that you have all the information you need to start on your culinary quest, there should not be a question of what and where to eat but rather only when.

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