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DESTINATIONS india chennai Dining

Dining

South Indian cuisine, also referred to as Dravidian, usually consists of several (mainly vegetarian) dishes eaten with steamed rice. Tamil cuisine, famous for the use of a variety of spices, recommends that one includes in a main meal all the six tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salt, astringent and pungent. A Thali, here known as "meals", is traditionally served on a banana leaf. Look around and see how the other guests handle their leftovers and banana leaf, for good table manners. Restaurants are often referred to as a "hotel" on the signs outside, on which it usually also states if the restaurant serves meat or not. Most of the good restaurants in Chennai are located in the city’s up-market hotels, and are known for their lunch buffets. Don´t miss out on all the street stalls that serves wonderful south indian food and note that some foods are only served during breakfast whilst others only are served during night.

SaravanaBhavan/Egmore

SaravanaBhavan/Egmore

With delicious food and good service, this chain of restaurants has spread in Europe, North America and India and has some 20 different locations in Chennai. The "Unlimited Thali" offer is a popular choice among …

Saravana Bhavan/Gopalapuram

Saravana Bhavan/Gopalapuram

Feast on Vegetable Biryani, Mushroom Seekh Kebab or Paneer Tikka at this restaurant belonging to the famous chain, which offers more than one hundred Indian and Chinese dishes, or dine in style with silver cutlery on the upper …

Ponnusamy Hotel

Ponnusamy Hotel

The obvious choice for food from India’s Chettinad region, this restaurant is definitely one of the best in Chennai. It offers a great selection of meat and strictly vegetarian dishes, with its seafood specialties being a popular …

Murugan Idli Shop/Triplicane

Murugan Idli Shop/Triplicane

This is another chain of restaurants, with three different locations in Chennai. Famous for its idly – an Indian savory cake, similare to semolina, served with coconut and sambar – and its dosai, a crêpe, usually filled with potatoe curry, made from rice and lentils. This place serves some of the best South Indian …

Bayleaf Food

If you decide to take a break from the South Indian cuisine and feel like trying some Bengali food, this clean and unpretentious restaurant is the place to eat, with both the vegetarian and the meat dishes being …

The Residency, Sheraton Park Hotel

The Residency, Sheraton Park Hotel

This multi-cuisine restaurant is one of the best in Chennai, having made a name thanks to the broad range of meals and desserts served at the lunch and dinner buffets. The quality of the food, as well as the service, is excellent. There is also life music every evening as …

Pan Asian

Pan Asian offers an upscale dining experience and is a perfect venue to go for a special occasion. Request to be seated by the open kitchen and observe the culinary masters in …

Dakshin

The restaurant enjoys a spotless reputation and serves superb South Indian food. The owners have invested as much thought into the restaurant's interior as into the constantly updated …

Cream Centre

North Indian, vegetarian food is served at this Chennai restaurant known for the speed of service. The place is popular for take-out and offers home …

Barbeque Nation

Barbeque Nation

The restaurant is primarily known for its barbecue, but vegetarians will surely not find themselves at a loss either. Unlimited starters are another feature this place is well-known and frequented …