Until a decade ago, the food landscape of Chennai was all about the traditional South Indian cuisine, with the barbeque culture making its way into the arena. And if you searched online for the best restaurants in Chennai, you would find options such as Saravana Bhavan and Anjappar topping the list.
However, these are different times now, and the city folks are opening up to new cuisines, from Mexican to Turkish. It is now more about the Instagrammable ambiance and food that suits one’s palate.
Best Restaurants In Chennai In 2024
The website theworlds50best.com reports that Avartana at the ITC Grand Chola in Chennai ranks 44 among Asia’s 50 best restaurants in 2024. It is a testimony of how high the standard of Chennai’s culinary scene has elevated this year. So, considering the high standards, here is a list of the ten best restaurants in Chennai that have made a mark for themselves in Chennai’s culinary landscape.
Ente Keralam
Ente Keralam is a Kerala restaurant in one of the poshest areas in Chennai, the Poes Garden.
Upon stepping into the restaurant, you will feel like you have entered a Kerala home. The interiors and ambiance reverberate the Kerala tradition and culture.
The restaurant serves authentic dishes that are native to Kerala. And while it is a haven for those who love Kerala-style fish delicacies, the restaurant does not disappoint vegetarians. So, it is not an exaggeration to say that Ente Keralam gives tough competition to the best veg restaurants in Chennai. The restaurant has everything from the world-famous Avial, Parippu Vada, to Karimeen Pollichathu, Erachi Cutlet, and Nethili Fry.
You can enjoy an incredible main course by tucking in Appams and Malabar Parottas in rich Kerala-style curries such as the Alleppy Meen Curry, which runs high on flavors.
Most importantly, who can miss out on the Kerala Sadhya? The place serves it all weekdays, with the special weekend Sadhya served on Saturday and Sunday. Also, try their Kerala-style biryani, the best biryani in Chennai.
Finally, one can end their meal on a sweet note with their variety of payasam, which are super rich in flavors.
Timings: Monday – Friday: 12 noon – 3 pm, 7 pm – 11 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 12 noon – 4 pm, 7 pm – 11 pm
Location: Ente Keralam, No. 1 First Street, Kasturi Estate, Poes Garden, Chennai, Tamil Nadu –
600018
Cuisines: Kerala
Must Try: Chicken Thalassery Biryani, Alleppey Meen Curry, Nadan Kozhi Curry, Urulakizhangu
Roast, Pachakkari Stew, Appam, Ilaneer Payasam, Palada Payasam
Average Cost For Two: ₹800
Gossip Fusion Bistro
Gossip Fusion Bistro is an American-styled restaurant right on the ECR stretch.
This cozy restaurant serves a variety of cuisines, from American and European to traditional Indian. Thus, it ranks among the best restaurants in Chennai.
While you can enjoy a plethora of thirst-quenching beverages, the restaurant offers some of the best soups in Chennai, such as the Pumpkin & Broccoli Soup. Furthermore, one can relish some of the finest starters in the city, ranging from Bruschetta to the Indian delight, the Mutton Chukka.
The restaurant serves quite a number of seafood delicacies, with the Grilled Prawn and Allepey Fish Curry being the must-tries.
On the other hand, the restaurant offers American-styled, overloaded pizzas and juicy burgers in considerable portions in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian categories.
Finally, the desserts are the icing on the cake. While you can enjoy the big muffins and cheesecakes displayed at the entrance, the Tender Coconut Mousse is all about a Western twist to the South Indian coconut flavor.
Also, the staff is quite friendly, making your visit with friends and family a pleasant experience.
Timings: Monday – Sunday: 12 noon – 10:30 pm
Location: Gossip Fusion Bistro & Dessert Bar, No 191/141, ECR Main Road, Uthandi, Chennai – 600119
Cuisines: American, European, North Indian, South Indian
Must Try: Mushroom Soup, Afghani Paneer, Strips Of Chicken, Kerala Prawn Curry, Caramel Custard, Tres Leches Layer Cake
Average Cost For Two: ₹1,700
Annalakshmi
Annalakshmi ranks as one of the best veg restaurants in Chennai. It is a temple-styled restaurant in one of the city’s older areas, Chetpet.
It is one of the best veg restaurants in Chennai, specializing in various well-curated massive vegetarian thalis.
The restaurant serves five unique thalis, ranging from a delicious lunch, a lighter lunch, a wholesome diet meal, an extravagant meal, to a royal treat. You can have a fine dining experience, with each dish in the meal served fresh and hot at regular intervals.
Furthermore, the restaurant also has a handpicked selection of authentic vegetarian ASEAN and Continental dishes, making it one of the best veg restaurants in Chennai. You will find options, such as Corn Cheese Balls, Pakoras, a variety of salads, Malai Kofta, Gujrathi Dal, Paranthas, Mixed Vegetable Coconut Curry, Karuvepilai Saadham, Khao Phat, and Dosas.
Timings: Monday – Sunday: 12 noon – 2:30 pm, 7 pm – 9 pm
Location: Annalakshmi, No 6 Mayor Ramanathan Salai, Spur Tank road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu –
600031
Cuisines: North & South Indian, Jain
Must Try: Pakoras, Mangalore Bonda, Navaratna Kurma, Potato Chettinad, Badam Halwa
Average Cost For Two: ₹1,400
Sorgam
Sorgam, located in an upscale neighborhood in Adyar, has a homely and rustic ambiance.
While the interiors are minimalistic, the menu, on the other hand, is extravagant. It has something for everyone, and that too in large portions, ensuring it gets a top spot among the best restaurants in Chennai.
If you wish to avoid all the hustle, you can go for a thali. The restaurant serves a variety of veg and non-veg thalis, even the famous Kerala specialty, the Meen Satti Soru.
On the other hand, they also serve vegetarian and non-vegetarian specials. But their non-veg dishes deserve a special mention as they include indulging egg, chicken, mutton, and seafood delicacies. Some of the dishes you must try are the Chettinadu Mutton Kola Urundai, Butter Garlic Prawn, and Andhra Chilli Chicken.
Furthermore, the main course includes traditional Indian dishes, such as curries, rice varieties, breads, appams, and dosas, served piping hot. Also, try their biryanis to have the best biryani in Chennai. Each of them is super rich in flavors.
Finally, finish your meal with curd rice, which is heavenly.
Timings: Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 12 noon – 3 pm, 7 pm – 10:30 pm
Sunday: 12 noon – 5:30 pm, 7 pm – 10:30 pm
Location: Sorgam, 1st St, Padmanabha Nagar, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600020
Cuisines: North & South Indian, Chinese
Must Try: Nei Choru Fish Thali, Paarai Meen Varuval, Yalaneer Souffle
Average Cost For Two: ₹1,200
Manjal
Manjal is a South-Indian restaurant located in a quiet neighborhood in Poes Garden.
You can expect a royal treat of the best south Indian delicacies at Manjal. It offers a rich blend of traditional flavors and a beautiful, serene atmosphere to enjoy with friends and family.
The restaurant offers you the exquisite and delectable cuisines of Andhra Pradesh, indicating a profound influence of the culinary styles of the Mughals on the state’s cuisines. On the other hand, you can also indulge in the robust Tamil Nadu cuisine, which is a must-have for food lovers who want to take great delight in some of the finest traditional cuisine in the country. All these factors rank among the best restaurants in Chennai.
The starters look appetizing and are pretty spicy, as expected in the traditional south Indian cuisine. The variety ranges from Kola Urundai, Chicken Pepper Fry, Brain Fry, and Mutton Liver Fry.
You can relish authentic South Indian dishes such as Dosas, Pongal, and Idiyappam with Thengai Paal for breakfast. On the other hand, the restaurant serves the best biryani in Chennai, which is mildly spiced and thalis for lunch, Dosa varieties, and Indian bread for dinner.
Timings: Monday – Saturday: 12 noon – 4 pm, 7 pm – 11 pm
Sunday: 7:30 am – 10:30 am, 12 noon – 4 pm, 7 pm – 11 pm
Location: Manjal, 6/9, Kasthuri Estate, 3rd St, Poes Garden, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600086
Cuisines: South Indian
Must Try: Mutton Biryani, Nandu Omelette, Chicken Pepper Fry, Pichipotta Nattu Kozhi
Average Cost For Two: ₹450
Nandhana Palace
Nandhana Palace, located on Velachery’s super-busy 100 feet road, has a warm, inviting ambiance and courteous staff.
The cuisine is primarily Andhra. However, the menu features a variety of delicacies, ranging from traditional South Indian favorites to modern fusion dishes, leading to it counting among the best restaurants in Chennai.
For starters, Nandhana Palace is famous for its Carrot 65 and Guntur Chicken Dry; the Lemon Chicken Dry will leave an interesting tangy flavor on your tongue for a long time. If that was not enough, the restaurant serves Nandhana delicacies such as Mutton Keema Balls and Fish Fry.
Moreover, you can try the lip-smacking Tandoor options, from the Peshawari Paneer Tikka to Kalmi Kebab. Also, the main course has ample side dish options for vegetarians and non-vegetarians, from Kadai Vegetable to Kadai Chicken, which you can relish with the assortment of Indian bread the restaurant offers.
While savoring the wholesome veg and non-veg meals can make you relish Andhra’s spicy flavors, you can enjoy the best biryani in Chennai at Nandhana Palace. The biryanis here are a must-try, especially the Supreme Boneless Chicken Biryani.
And if you love Chinese, then you are in for a treat. There are plenty of Chinese delicacies Nandhana Palace serves, such as Mushroom Salt & Pepper and Prawn Noodles, which are finger-licking good.
Timings: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 11:30 pm
Location: Nandhana Palace, Door 30A, 2nd Floor, 100 Feet Bypass Road, Lakshmi Nagar, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600042
Cuisines: Andhra, North & South Indian, Chinese
Must Try: Carrot 65, Guntur Chicken Dry, Lemon Chicken Dry, Nellore Mutton Biryani, Sea Food
Platter
Average Cost For Two: ₹1,100
Bombay Brasserie
Bombay Brasserie, tucked away on the busy 1st Main Road in Adyar, is a vibrant restaurant with the most colorful interiors one could admire visually.
The restaurant offers handpicked delicacies that help one experience an explosion of Indian flavors, which is the primary reason for the outlet’s ranking among the best restaurants in Chennai.
Start with the Pauwa mocktails like the Nagpuri Santra or the Desi mocktail options, such as the Old Town Delhi, which are refreshing and leave an interestingly tangy taste on your taste buds. Next, check out their savory veg and non-veg starters. The restaurant offers a plethora of incredible options, such as Anardaana Tikka Paneer and Kashmiri Naan Kebab.
In the case of the mains, try their Amritsari Aloo Kulcha dunked into the spicy Punjabi Cooker Chicken.
Finally, end on a sweet note with their super-yummy Bombay Ice Cream Sandwich, which will recall your fond childhood memories.
Timings: Monday – Sunday: 12 noon – 11:30 pm
Location: Bombay Brasserie, Villa 77, 1st Main Road, Gandhinagar, Adyar, Chennai – 600020
Cuisines: Indian
Must Try: Gunpowder Aloo, Paneer Lifafa Paratha, Guntur Podi Chicken, Fiery Thecha Prawns, Phirni
Average Cost For Two: ₹1,200
The Mayflower
The Mayflower is a chick, fancy multi-cuisine restaurant in one of Chennai’s upscale neighborhoods, Alwarpet.
While the ambiance is pleasant and quaint, the wooden accents and the interior décor make the restaurant Instagrammable. The place is quite a hit among the young crowd, and they count it as one of the best restaurants in Chennai.
You can enjoy different breakfast platters of various cuisines, such as Mexican, American, English, and Chinese, right from Chennai at The Mayflower. Furthermore, their curated breakfast includes unique egg preparations and dishes such as Tiramisu French Toast for those who wish to start their day on a sweet note.
On the other hand, if you wish to have a wholesome meal, then you must start with their comfort entrees, the soups such as the Cream Of Mushroom soup, and starters like the Crispy Lotus Stem and Harissa Prawn Bruschetta.
The Mayflower take the game to the next level with their main course spread. While you get to relish loaded Ciabatta and Croissant Sandwiches and Brioche Burgers, the place is known for its well-crafted pasta cooked to perfection. And if you are a pizza lovers, you can savor their delicious Sourdough Pizzas like the Gremolata Chicken pizza.
The restaurant also serves Happy Bowls. They are one-pot dishes from Pan Asian and global cuisines, with Khao Suey Veg being the top-rated option. Alternatively, you will find plenty of Large Plate options, ranging from Asian to hearty European dishes, to relish international cuisines to the fullest. These are why the place counts as one of the best restaurants in Chennai.
And it does not stop there; it is also famous for its variety of Dimsums and Dumplings, with the Cream Cheese & Water Chestnut Crystal being a hit among the regulars.
Timings: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 11 pm
Location: The Mayflower, 17, Kasturi Rangan Rd, Poes Garden, Alwarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600018
Cuisines: Italian, Asian, Continental
Must Try: Crispy Lotus Stem, French Onion Soup, Onion Rings, Khow Suey Veg
Average Cost For Two: ₹1,200
Basil With A Twist
Basil With A Twist is a cozy restaurant in a quiet neighborhood on Habibullah Road. It serves incredible European cuisine from the Balkans to the Mediterranean, ranking it among the best restaurants in Chennai.
While the interiors are simple, their well-curated fancy menu speaks volumes about the place’s standard and the varieties it offers.
The place is well-known for its Roasted Pumpkin Soup, which is subtle in flavor and yet lip-smacking delicious. And if you are a salad lover, you are in for a treat as the restaurant offers a variety of incredible salads like the Classic Caesar Salad.
While you will find many European delicacies in their appetizer spread, such as Mushroom or Chicken Quiche, the place serves a variety of Quesadillas.
For those who love Italian, you won’t be disappointed as the place serves thin-crust pizzas, Pasta, Lasagna, and Risotto, which are high in flavors.
The place focuses on the best of Belgrade, from Pesto Tempura Broccoli Hunter’s Steak to Chicken Roulade.
But that’s not all. Try their Thai Veg Curry in Red or Green to enjoy a gastronomic experience.
Timings: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 10:30 pm
Location: Basil With A Twist, 58 A, Habibullah Rd, near Vidyodaya School, Gangai Karai Puram, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600017
Cuisines: Italian, Continental
Must Try: Crispy Baby Potatoes, Risotto, Adriatic Grilled Fish, Baked Mushroom Pasta, Pannacotta
Average Cost For Two: ₹1,800
Double Roti
Double Roti is an outlet in one of the busiest areas of Chennai, on the 2nd Avenue in Anna Nagar East. While the restaurant is the perfect place for enjoying casual conversations with friends and family, it is one of the top Instagrammable spots in the capital city. As one gets incredible food to indulge in and some of the most impressive backgrounds to click cool pictures, Double Roti stands out as one of the best restaurants in Chennai.
The restaurant has reinvented the burger experience by creating incredible flavors from the best ingredients. Furthermore, it serves Mexican rice bowls packed with rich flavors, the New York specialty, cheesy pizzas, and the Italian favorite, pasta, offering a little something for every food lover.
You can start relishing the rich and fresh Mexican and American flavors with wholesome salads and soups such as the Cobb Salad and Baked Potato Leek. Next, continue your gastronomic experience with their famous tacos, with Birria counting among their must-tries. You can complement them with appetizers such as Peri Peri Chicken Tenders.
Don’t miss out on their gourmet burgers, pasta, and pizzas. The top-rated options are the super-delicious Bacon Blue Cheeseburger, Spaghetti Bolognaise, and New York Butter Chicken.
However, if you are looking for nauseatingly filling options, you can choose from their large plates, such as Chicken Fresco, and rice bowls, like their Chipotle Chicken.
Timings: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 11 pm
Location: Double Roti, J B Khanna Jag Tirth, A 2, 2nd Ave, A Block, Annanagar East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600102
Cuisines: Mexican, American, Continental
Must Try: Buffalo Wings, Chicken Tikka Pizza, Grilled Chicken Taco
Average Cost For Two: ₹900
Final Thoughts
In recent years, biryani has been the most-ordered dish in Chennai.
However, experts suggest that unexplored international cuisines like Sri Lankan cuisine will be the primary focus this year. So, visit the best restaurants in Chennai, discussed above, to try new cuisines and enjoy the gastronomical adventure in the capital city.
FAQs
Q1. What are the best vegetarian dishes to try in Chennai?
The best vegetarian dishes to try in Chennai are Ghee Pongal, Adai and Aviyal, Kuzhi Paniyaram, Mysore Bonda, and South Indian Thali.
Q2. Which top-rated restaurants serve the best seafood buffet in Chennai?
The top-rated restaurants that serve the best seafood buffet in Chennai are Chap Chey – The Raintree, Asia Kitchen By Mainland China, and The Black Pearl.
Q3. What are the top 5 best biryani in Chennai?
The top 5 best biryani in Chennai are Yaa Mohaideen Biryani, Nandhana Palace, Ente Keralam, SS Hyderabad Biryani, and Sukkubhai Biryani.
Q4. What are the best budget-friendly restaurants for breakfast in Chennai?
The best restaurants for breakfast in Chennai are Geetham, Mathsya, and VB World By Vasanta Bhavan.
