Writing - Eating out in Chennai
As a connoisseur of Good food and living in Chennai for the past decade, I stand witness to the amazing trasformation this city is currently going through, especially on the food scene. Yes, Chennai may not yet be close to Mumbai or even Bangalore in terms of options on the International cuisine, yet, Chennai is fast on the heels and is already home to a huge variety of options, something which was non existant hardly a decade ago.
I have been reviewing restaurants for a few leading magazines and famous blogs for the past 5 years and amongst the huge otpions available today, the following are my favourites. A word of caution here, these are, as I said, my personal preferences and has nothing to do with the completeness of the list. The list has nothing to do with any form of ranking as well and is just a list of options.
HIGH END (Star Category)
Name of Hotel, (part of), Kind of cuisine, Location, Phone number
1 Southern Spice (Taj), Southern Indian Cusines, Nungambakkkam, 044 55002827
2 Match Point (Taj), Contiental, Nungambakkkam, 044 66002827
3 Southern Aroma (Residency), Southern Indian Cusines, T.Nagar, 044 28156363
4 The Great Kabab Factory (Radisson), Kabab / Tandoor, St.Thomas Mount, 044 22310101
5 Raintree (Connemera), Chettinad, Binny Road 044 55000000
6 The Verandah (Connemera), Multicusine, Binny Road 044 28520123
7 Dakshin (Sheraton), Southern Indian Cusines, R.A.Puram, 044 24994101
8 The Residency (Sheraton), Multicusine, R.A.Puram, 044 24994101
9 Courtyard Marriot, Multicusine, Mount Road, 044 66764000
10 Trident Hilton, Multicusine, St.Thomas Mount, 044 22344747
11 Peshawari, Northern / Afghani, Cathedral Road, 044 2811 0101
12 Navarathna (Le Meredien), Indian Cusines, Kathipara Junction, 044 22314343
13 Cilantro (Le Meredien), Multicusine, Kathipara Junction, 044 22314343
Traditional South Indian / Tamil Nadu Vegetarian Cuisine
1 Saravanabavan, South Indian - Vegetarian, Multiple locations 044 24747755
2 Sangeetha, South Indian - Vegetarian, Multiple locations 044 2461 6671
3 Vasantha Bhavan, South Indian - Vegetarian, Multiple locations 044 2648 1010
4 Murugan Idly, South Indian - Vegetarian, Besant Nagar, T Nagar 044 28155399
5 New Woodlands, South Indian - Vegetarian, Radhakrishan Road 044 28113111
6 Ratna Café, South Indian - Vegetarian, Triplicane 044 48572385
7 Eden, Mixed - Vegetarian, Besant Nagar 044 26221010
8 Eden, Mixed - Vegetarian, Harrisons 044 42222777
9 Palimar, Mixed - Vegetarian, Spur Tank Road 044 25226804
10 Vegnation, Mixed - Vegetarian, Gemini corner 044 43090607
Traditional South Indian Chettinad Non Vegetarian Cuisine
1 Karaikudi, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Multiple locations 044 28269122
2 Anjappar, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Nungambakkam 044 26289344
3 Malgudi (Savera), Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Radhakrishan Road 044 2827 4700
4 Usilampatti, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, T.Nagar 044 24454186
5 Paramakudi, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Anna Nagar 044 26203366
6 Amma, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, T.Nagar 044 28340242
7 Ponnuswamy, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Royapetta 044 28270784
8 Velu, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Nungambakkam 044 28220353
9 Copper Point (GRT), Chettinad - Non Vegetarian T.Nagar 044
North Indian Cuisine
1 Sigree, North Indian, Sterling Road 044 42664222
2 Dhabha Express, North Indian, Cenetoph road 044 24328211
3 The Dhabha, North Indian, Radhakrishna Road 044 28110553
4 Mathsaya, North Indian, Egmore 044 28191900
5 Asli Punjabi Rasoi, North Indian, Egmore 044 32924414
6 Grains of Paradise, North Indian, R.A.Puram 044 64589999
7 Creame Center, North Indian, R.A.Puram 044 69999999
Kebab / Tandoor / Grills
1 Pergola (Accord), Kabab / Tandoor, T.Nagar 044 28161000
2 Above Sea Level, Kabab / Tandoor, R.A.Puram 044 24304050
3 Kabab Court (Kabul), Kabab / Tandoor, TTK Road 044 24996761
4 Barbeque Nation, Kabab / Grill, T.Nagar 044 42684481
5 Al Arabia, Kabab / Grill, Radhakrishna Road 044 45130011
6 Tandoori Tadka, Kabab / Grill, North Usman Road 044 42125162
South Indian (Andhra / Kerala) Cuisine
1 Amaravathi, Andhra, TTK Road 044 28110305
2 Kalpaka, Kerala, TTK Road 044 28112348
3 Tharavad, Kerala, Besant Nagar 044 24919171
4 Coconut Lagoon, Kerala, TTK Road 044 28110305
5 Ende Keralam, Kerala, Poes Garden 044 42328585
6 Kumarakom, Kerala, Gemini corner 044 28207581
International (Non Asian) Cuisine
1 Cedars, Mediteranean, Kotturpuram 044 24475073
2 Kefe - Taj Mount, Lebanese, Anna Salai 044 66313131
3 601 (The Park), Italian, Gemini corner 044 42144000
4 Bella Ciao, Italian, Nungambakkam 044 28300085
5 Little Italy, Italian, Nungambakkam 044 42601234
6 MMMAFIA, Italian, R.A.Puram 044 64587777
7 Zara, Spanish, Cathedral Road 044 28111462
8 Don Pepe, Mexican, Cathedral Road 044 28110413
9 Cornucopia, Lebanese, Cenetoph Road 044 42059495
10 Wild Amazon, Mediteranean, Radhakrishna Road 044 45130011
Chinese Cuisine
1 Golden Dragon (Taj), Chinese, Nungambakkam 044 28272827
2 Sagari (Chola), Chinese, Cathedral Road 044 28110101
3 Mainland China (Aruna Inn), Chinese, Sterling Road 044 28238305
4 Dynasty, Chinese, Gemini Corner 044 42222777
5 Rangis, Chinese, Gemini Corner 044 65192344
6 Oriental Blossom (Radha Park), Chinese, Vadapalani 044 24757788
7 Lemon Grass, Chinese, R.A.Puram 044 24304050
8 Cascade, Chinese, Nungambakkam 044 48253836
9 China Town, Chinese, Mylapore 044 43533533
10 Rainforest, Chinese / Multicuisine, Gandhinagar, Adayar 044 42187777
Speciality -Thai & Japanese Cuisine
1 Benjorang, Thai, TTK Road 044 24322640
2 Kyong Bokgong, Japanese, Nandanam 044 4211 3345
3 Akasaka, Japanese, LB Road 044 24453424
4 Dhalia, Japanese, Nungambakkam 044 2826 5240
Sea Food
1 Fisherman's cove (Taj), Sea Food, ECR 044 27472304
2 Fisherman's Fare, Sea Food, Egmore 044 42068776
3 Coastline, Sea Food, Radhakrishna Road 044 28111128
4 Kayal (Le Meredien), Sea Food, Kathipara Junction 044 22314343
Bars & Pubs
1 Fort St.George (Taj Coromandel) Nungambakkam 044 28272827
2 Bikes & Barrels (Residency) T.Nagar 044 66000000
3 Dublin (Sheraton) R.A.Puram 044 24994101
4 Distil (Connemera) Binny Road 044 66000000
5 Anchor (Fisherman's Cove) ECR Road 044 67413333
6 The Leather Bar (The Park) Gemini Corner 044 42144000
7 High Time (GRT) T.Nagar 044 28150500
8 Grammy (Quality Inn) T.Nagar 044 25343030
9 The Society (Ambassador) Egmore 044 28554476
10 H2O (Harrisson) Sterling Road 044 42222777
11 10 Downing Street T.Nagar 044 28152152
12 Durrants Bar (Chola Sheraton) Cathedral Road 044 28110101
I have been reviewing restaurants for a few leading magazines and famous blogs for the past 5 years and amongst the huge otpions available today, the following are my favourites. A word of caution here, these are, as I said, my personal preferences and has nothing to do with the completeness of the list. The list has nothing to do with any form of ranking as well and is just a list of options.
HIGH END (Star Category)
Name of Hotel, (part of), Kind of cuisine, Location, Phone number
1 Southern Spice (Taj), Southern Indian Cusines, Nungambakkkam, 044 55002827
2 Match Point (Taj), Contiental, Nungambakkkam, 044 66002827
3 Southern Aroma (Residency), Southern Indian Cusines, T.Nagar, 044 28156363
4 The Great Kabab Factory (Radisson), Kabab / Tandoor, St.Thomas Mount, 044 22310101
5 Raintree (Connemera), Chettinad, Binny Road 044 55000000
6 The Verandah (Connemera), Multicusine, Binny Road 044 28520123
7 Dakshin (Sheraton), Southern Indian Cusines, R.A.Puram, 044 24994101
8 The Residency (Sheraton), Multicusine, R.A.Puram, 044 24994101
9 Courtyard Marriot, Multicusine, Mount Road, 044 66764000
10 Trident Hilton, Multicusine, St.Thomas Mount, 044 22344747
11 Peshawari, Northern / Afghani, Cathedral Road, 044 2811 0101
12 Navarathna (Le Meredien), Indian Cusines, Kathipara Junction, 044 22314343
13 Cilantro (Le Meredien), Multicusine, Kathipara Junction, 044 22314343
Traditional South Indian / Tamil Nadu Vegetarian Cuisine
1 Saravanabavan, South Indian - Vegetarian, Multiple locations 044 24747755
2 Sangeetha, South Indian - Vegetarian, Multiple locations 044 2461 6671
3 Vasantha Bhavan, South Indian - Vegetarian, Multiple locations 044 2648 1010
4 Murugan Idly, South Indian - Vegetarian, Besant Nagar, T Nagar 044 28155399
5 New Woodlands, South Indian - Vegetarian, Radhakrishan Road 044 28113111
6 Ratna Café, South Indian - Vegetarian, Triplicane 044 48572385
7 Eden, Mixed - Vegetarian, Besant Nagar 044 26221010
8 Eden, Mixed - Vegetarian, Harrisons 044 42222777
9 Palimar, Mixed - Vegetarian, Spur Tank Road 044 25226804
10 Vegnation, Mixed - Vegetarian, Gemini corner 044 43090607
Traditional South Indian Chettinad Non Vegetarian Cuisine
1 Karaikudi, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Multiple locations 044 28269122
2 Anjappar, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Nungambakkam 044 26289344
3 Malgudi (Savera), Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Radhakrishan Road 044 2827 4700
4 Usilampatti, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, T.Nagar 044 24454186
5 Paramakudi, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Anna Nagar 044 26203366
6 Amma, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, T.Nagar 044 28340242
7 Ponnuswamy, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Royapetta 044 28270784
8 Velu, Chettinad - Non Vegetarian, Nungambakkam 044 28220353
9 Copper Point (GRT), Chettinad - Non Vegetarian T.Nagar 044
North Indian Cuisine
1 Sigree, North Indian, Sterling Road 044 42664222
2 Dhabha Express, North Indian, Cenetoph road 044 24328211
3 The Dhabha, North Indian, Radhakrishna Road 044 28110553
4 Mathsaya, North Indian, Egmore 044 28191900
5 Asli Punjabi Rasoi, North Indian, Egmore 044 32924414
6 Grains of Paradise, North Indian, R.A.Puram 044 64589999
7 Creame Center, North Indian, R.A.Puram 044 69999999
Kebab / Tandoor / Grills
1 Pergola (Accord), Kabab / Tandoor, T.Nagar 044 28161000
2 Above Sea Level, Kabab / Tandoor, R.A.Puram 044 24304050
3 Kabab Court (Kabul), Kabab / Tandoor, TTK Road 044 24996761
4 Barbeque Nation, Kabab / Grill, T.Nagar 044 42684481
5 Al Arabia, Kabab / Grill, Radhakrishna Road 044 45130011
6 Tandoori Tadka, Kabab / Grill, North Usman Road 044 42125162
South Indian (Andhra / Kerala) Cuisine
1 Amaravathi, Andhra, TTK Road 044 28110305
2 Kalpaka, Kerala, TTK Road 044 28112348
3 Tharavad, Kerala, Besant Nagar 044 24919171
4 Coconut Lagoon, Kerala, TTK Road 044 28110305
5 Ende Keralam, Kerala, Poes Garden 044 42328585
6 Kumarakom, Kerala, Gemini corner 044 28207581
International (Non Asian) Cuisine
1 Cedars, Mediteranean, Kotturpuram 044 24475073
2 Kefe - Taj Mount, Lebanese, Anna Salai 044 66313131
3 601 (The Park), Italian, Gemini corner 044 42144000
4 Bella Ciao, Italian, Nungambakkam 044 28300085
5 Little Italy, Italian, Nungambakkam 044 42601234
6 MMMAFIA, Italian, R.A.Puram 044 64587777
7 Zara, Spanish, Cathedral Road 044 28111462
8 Don Pepe, Mexican, Cathedral Road 044 28110413
9 Cornucopia, Lebanese, Cenetoph Road 044 42059495
10 Wild Amazon, Mediteranean, Radhakrishna Road 044 45130011
Chinese Cuisine
1 Golden Dragon (Taj), Chinese, Nungambakkam 044 28272827
2 Sagari (Chola), Chinese, Cathedral Road 044 28110101
3 Mainland China (Aruna Inn), Chinese, Sterling Road 044 28238305
4 Dynasty, Chinese, Gemini Corner 044 42222777
5 Rangis, Chinese, Gemini Corner 044 65192344
6 Oriental Blossom (Radha Park), Chinese, Vadapalani 044 24757788
7 Lemon Grass, Chinese, R.A.Puram 044 24304050
8 Cascade, Chinese, Nungambakkam 044 48253836
9 China Town, Chinese, Mylapore 044 43533533
10 Rainforest, Chinese / Multicuisine, Gandhinagar, Adayar 044 42187777
Speciality -Thai & Japanese Cuisine
1 Benjorang, Thai, TTK Road 044 24322640
2 Kyong Bokgong, Japanese, Nandanam 044 4211 3345
3 Akasaka, Japanese, LB Road 044 24453424
4 Dhalia, Japanese, Nungambakkam 044 2826 5240
Sea Food
1 Fisherman's cove (Taj), Sea Food, ECR 044 27472304
2 Fisherman's Fare, Sea Food, Egmore 044 42068776
3 Coastline, Sea Food, Radhakrishna Road 044 28111128
4 Kayal (Le Meredien), Sea Food, Kathipara Junction 044 22314343
Bars & Pubs
1 Fort St.George (Taj Coromandel) Nungambakkam 044 28272827
2 Bikes & Barrels (Residency) T.Nagar 044 66000000
3 Dublin (Sheraton) R.A.Puram 044 24994101
4 Distil (Connemera) Binny Road 044 66000000
5 Anchor (Fisherman's Cove) ECR Road 044 67413333
6 The Leather Bar (The Park) Gemini Corner 044 42144000
7 High Time (GRT) T.Nagar 044 28150500
8 Grammy (Quality Inn) T.Nagar 044 25343030
9 The Society (Ambassador) Egmore 044 28554476
10 H2O (Harrisson) Sterling Road 044 42222777
11 10 Downing Street T.Nagar 044 28152152
12 Durrants Bar (Chola Sheraton) Cathedral Road 044 28110101