Guide details
Best time to visit
Breakfast for tiffin; evenings for a proper meal
How to get there
From Mylapore institutions to hotel fine dining, city-wide
Highlights
South Indian tasting menus, Chettinad, biryani and rooftop dining
Good for
Food lovers and special occasions
Price range
Budget tiffin to high-end tasting menus
Chennai eats well at every level, from a two-rupee idli to a tasting menu that turns South Indian food into art. If you want to seek out the best tables in the city, here is where to start.
The icons
Some places are simply institutions. Murugan Idli Shop serves some of the softest idlis you will ever eat, Saravana Bhavan has taken Chennai’s vegetarian cooking around the world, and the old biryani houses near the coast still draw crowds for a plate of fragrant rice and slow-cooked meat. These are the flavours locals grow up on.
Fine dining, South Indian style
Chennai’s luxury hotels are home to some genuinely world-class restaurants. The modern South Indian tasting menus in the city have earned national acclaim, reimagining regional classics with real flair, while the grand hotel restaurants serve everything from coastal Chettinad spice to North Indian grills in beautiful surroundings. They are a treat for a special occasion.
Chettinad and the coast
For fire and depth, the city’s Chettinad restaurants are hard to beat, all black pepper, curry leaf and slow-cooked spice. And along the East Coast Road, breezy seafood restaurants serve the day’s catch just steps from the sea.
Rooftops and cafes
For something more relaxed, Chennai’s rooftop restaurants pair good food with city views and a welcome breeze, while the cafe scene, especially around Besant Nagar, is perfect for a slow brunch or an evening coffee. For the full picture of eating in the city, see our guide to where to eat in Chennai.
Whether you are after a humble tiffin or a memorable night out, Chennai delivers. Come with an appetite and an open mind, and you will eat some of the best food in India.
Where to eat: our top picks
From humble tiffin legends to acclaimed fine dining, these are worth seeking out.