Dine At These Restaurants in Chennai to Relish Local Favourite

Chennai has always been generous when it comes to serving local treats. Not only does the city offer local dishes at affordable prices, but also the best delicacies from Kerala, Chettinad and other South Indian cuisines. There are numerous street-side stalls and restaurants in Chennai, but which one do you go to? We give you a curated list of the most popular dining venues in the megacity. Here you go:

Vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai:

1. Murugan Idli Shop, Chennai

Murugan Idli Shop | Among the Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

If you’re in Chennai, you have to try the fluffiest idlis in town at Murugan Idli Shop. This is one of the oldest food joints, popular among locals and tourists alike for about two decades. When you visit the place, do try their signature drink, Jigarthanda, which is a mixture of milk, ice-cream and sabudana. Served with four chutneys, this delicacy is sure to give an excellent start to your day. Murugan Idli Shop is particularly famous for its breakfast menu, which attracts a lot of professionals during the early hours. This will undoubtedly be one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Chennai that you come across.

• Location: Multiple, Chennai
• Timings: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 200
• Cuisine(s): South Indian
• Must Try: Idli, Paniyaram, Onion Uttapam, Jigarthanda

2. Dakshin, Chennai

Dakshin | Among the Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

Foodies swear by the authentic South Indian cuisine offered at Dakshin. This restaurant is a landmark in the Chennai food circuit, and having a meal here is almost a rite of passage for true food lovers. A bronze Nataraja sculpture welcomes you and unique chandeliers, the bulb holders of which look like diyas, complete the South Indian set-up. With immaculately laid-out dishes on your table and soft Carnatic music playing in the background, you are guaranteed to have a memorable experience.

• Location: Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, Alwarpet, Chennai
• Timings: 12:30 PM to 3:00PM and 7 PM to 11:00 PM
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 2500
• Cuisine(s): South Indian, Kerala, Andhra
• Must Try: Banana Dosa, Iyer’s Special, Urlai Roast, Keerai Kozhumbu, Malai Curry, Berakaya Paalu, Padengi Gassi, Kaya Upperi,

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3. Eden, Chennai

Eden | Among the Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

Eden is almost twenty five years old, and it is still so popular that diners coming to this restaurant on weekends still have to wait to get a seat. It is one of the finest vegetarian restaurants, featuring and comprehensive Continental menu from the very first day. The preparation methods and taste of food have remained consistent for more than 25 years and will undoubtedly be in the days to come.

• Location: 2^nd Avenue, Besant Nagar and Harrisons Hotel, Nungambakkam, Chennai
• Timings: 12:30 PM to 3 PM, 7 PM to 11 PM
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 750
• Cuisine(s): North Indian, Continental, Italian
• Must Try: Pasta, Corn Florentine, Malai Kofta, Lasagne, Mushroom Crepe, Spaghetti, Tomato Soup

4. Krishna Restaurant, Chennai

Krishna Restaurant | Among the Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

Part of the Udupi Chain, this is one of the oldest restaurants in Chennai. The Udupi restaurant chain has been setting a high standard of vegetarian dishes in Chennai. Being greeted by the friendly staff here will set your mood right to savour your delicacy. A peculiar thing here is the glass-panelled display, which exhibits toy models of cars and cycles, perhaps reflecting the significance of the automobile industry in Chennai. Don’t forget to have their famous filter coffee at the end of your meal. If you love to be overloaded with food, go for the South Indian Thalis, where most of the items are unlimited.

• Location: New Woodlands Hotel, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai
• Timings: 7 AM to 10:30 PM
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 500
• Cuisine(s): South Indian, North Indian
• Must Try: Medu Vada, Mangalore Bonda, Kashmiri Pulao, Masala Kulcha, Dosa Korma

Top Non-vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

5. Enté Keralam, Chennai

Enté Keralam | Among the Top Non-vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

Enté Keralam is famous for showcasing the finest in Kerala’s rich culinary heritage. It is reflected in the dishes they serve from mother’s recipes that have been passed down generations to the ambience. Kerala is glorified in its décor, which is mostly white and brown just like the houses in the state are, and decorative elements like a traditional wooden boat, elephant ornaments. From their Biryani, a signature dish from Thalassery to the Appams and Meen Moilee (seer fish cooked with coconut milk and ginger), the dishes will make both your heart and stomach absolutely full!

• Location: Poes Garden, Anna Nagar and MRC Garden, Chennai
• Timings: 12:00 Noon to 3:30 PM and 7 PM to 10:30 PM
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 750
• Cuisine(s): Kerala
• Must Try: Appam, Sambharam, Parippu Vada, Curry Meen, Alleppey Meen Curry

6. Junior Kuppanna, Chennai

Junior Kuppanna | Among the Top Non-vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

A legendary establishment specialising in Kongu Nadu cuisine, it has been around since 1960. Kongu Nadu cuisine is a rice-based, one about which people not from South India don’t generally know. The restaurant chain was started by Mr. Kuppanna and his wife. You will be bamboozled by the sheer variety of non-vegetarian delights on offer here…from fish and chicken to mutton and prawns…they serve it all.

• Location: Multiple, Chennai
• Timings: 7:30 to 11:00 PM
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 650
• Cuisine(s): Kongu Nadu
• Must Try: Chicken Pallipalayam, Mutton Pallipalayam, Nalli Gravy, Mutton Biryani

7. Kaaraikudi, Chennai

Kaaraikudi | Among the Top Non-vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

If you are in Chennai, Chettinad cuisine is something you cannot miss, and Kaaraikudi is the place to relish its famous dishes. Delicacies full of spices like cardamom, peppercorn and bay leaves will make you come back for more. The restaurant serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Try the Crab Pepper Masala and Sora Puttu (flaky fish dish), two of their best non-vegetarian preparations.

• Location: Ashok Nagar, Mylapore, Velachery, Chennai
• Timings: 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM (varies across outlets)
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 650
• Cuisine(s): Chettinad, South Indian, North Indian,
• Must Try: Crab Pepper Masala, Idiyappam, Fish Karuveppilai Fry, Paniyaram, Mutton Nalli Kuzhambu

8. Kumarakom, Chennai

Kumarakom | Among the Top Non-vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

Kumarakom is a famous restaurant chain with multiple outlets across Chennai. Although they serve several cuisines, their primary focus is on the Kerala cuisine. It has a unique blend of South Indian and Western cuisines as well. 

• Location: Nungambakkam, Anna Nagar, Velachery, Perungudi and Tharamani, Chennai
• Timings: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM, 12 PM to 4 PM, 7 PM to 11 PM
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 450
• Cuisine(s): North-Indian, Kerala, Chinese
• Must Try: Beef Fry, Appam, Chicken Stew, Biryani, Kadala Curry

9. Pan Asian, Chennai

Pan Asian | Among the Top Non-vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

Located within the luxurious ITC Grand Chola, Pan Asian is one of the most exciting and happening restaurants in town. Diners at this restaurant are treated to five-star meals in a grand space. As is evident by the name, the restaurant specialises in cuisine from various Asian countries, so you can expect to be treated to a variety of dim sums, sushi, sashimi, curries and what not. for more click here

• Location: ITC Grand Chola, Guindy, Chennai
• Timings: 7:00 PM to 11.30 PM , 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 4,200
• Cuisine(s): Japanese, Chinese, Mongolian, Korean, Malay, Singaporean, Thai, Indonesian
• Must Try: Sushi, Chicken Dim Sum, Ramen, Wasabi Prawns

10. Madras Pavilion, Chennai

Madras Pavilion | Among the Top Non-vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai

This high-class restaurant at ITC Grand Chola is well known for serving a wide variety of dishes which have both Eastern and Western Roots. Its luxurious interiors, consisting of carved marble walls and pillars are an ode to the magnificent temples of Tamil Nadu. Upside down funnel-shaped lamps, on the other hand, add a touch of modernity.

• Location: ITC Grand Chola, Guindy, Chennai
• Timings: 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM to 2:35 PM, 7 PM to 11:30 PM
• Approximate Cost for Two: ₹ 4000
• Cuisine(s): North Indian, Chinese, Continental,
• Must Try: Chole, Dum Biryani, Croissants, Jumbo Prawns, Breakfast Buffet, Waffles, Rasgulla

These are some of the best restaurants in Chennai serving delicious local dishes and those from around the globe. Though these are our top 12, you will definitely come across even more once you set out to discover the culinary extravaganza that Chennai has to offer! The next time you are at your hotel in Chennai and hunger suddenly strikes, you know where to go. Bon Appétit!