Eating out in Chennai

If you thought that Chennai was mostly Idly, Vada, Dosa, you are right to an extent. But then, Chennai is not a cosmopolitan city like Bangalore or Mumbai, and so, the hotels cater to the majority of the population, who are hard core tamilians. The Madrasis are pretty fastidious about their food, and if they will experiment, it is with great caution. Also, I had a hard time not staring at people gulping down kilos of rice at one go. Anways, coming to the point, there are quite a few hotels that cater to different tastes. And yes, the best part is that they are not as crowded as those in Bangalore. But it is almost five months since I moved out, and do not blame me too much if things have changed.

Eating out was never a favorite past-time among the locals only because no hotel can cater to people who can gulp down mountains of rice with the same ease as Krishna lifted the hill with one finger. Dieting is anathema to most people here. However, in a sign of the changing times, many venture out to eat the measly stuff served in hotels and methinks that they quietly slip back to their homes to eat the very same stuff that they just consumed.
Disclaimer: I am a vegetarian and so, do not have an opinon of the meat served in any of the places. Also, this is typical middle-class fare. If you need info on the high-end hotels, look elsewhere.
 

Food Courts

The best food courts are at Spencer’s Plaza (Mount Road), Chennai city central (Mylapore), and Ascendas (close to Tidel Park, old Mahab road.)

North Indian Fare:

There may be more places than those I list here. However, these are the ones I have tried out and found to be good to moderately good. Do not attempt north-Indian fare at any of the south indian restaurants. You will end up eating kadi patta even in your rajma and dal. The few exceptions, I have listed anyways.
Also, unlike Bangalore, there is no place where you get Bengali and Sindhi fare. So there.

Punjabi:

Saanjha Choolha (Nungambakkam): Nice ambience especially if you are seated inside. Outside can be good if you are forgiving of the mosquitoes.
Veg on the Edge (Annanagar): Although the board says continental, it is the punjabi fare that they are really good at. But then, I haven’t tried anything else either
Mathura (opposite Devi theatre, Mount Road): Great food, nice ambience. Avoid on weekends.
Dhaba (T Nagar, Cathedral Road, Beach road): They are opening up branches with amazing regularity. So, I do not have the latest count. Great on ambience, not so much on the food.
Dhabba Express: Almost every major locality has one. Service is good at most places. Quality dips on weekends.
Sachin da Dhaba: Again, most areas have one. And they are uniformly mediocre both in terms of ambience and food
Jus Parathas (Adyar): Not bad but on the more expensive sideSaravana Bhavan (Peter’s road): This is the only outlet that sells close to authentic punjabi fare. Expensive and the quanity of food is dismal.
Sai: I do not remember the complete name. This is situated just opposite Khazana on Cathedral road. It is on the ground floor. Low on ambience but the alu parathas were pretty good! Reasonable too.
Palki(Cathedral road): Was great a few years back. Now, I am not sure I want to recco this one.
Copper chimney (Cathedral road): Expensive but great food.

Gujrati:
Two of the best restaurants have closed shop.
Saravana Bhavan (Pondy Bazaar, Annanagar): Low on ambience but the quality of food is pretty good. The rates and quantities, surprisingly are very reasonable.
Mansukh (T Nagar) The quality of food is pretty decent but this place scores low on ambience.

Rajasthani:
Rajasthani Dhaba (Annanagar west): Absolutely loved the place till they revised the rates. Still, they are the best place in Chennai to get some melt-in-your mouth phulkas and some authentic dhal-bhaati.

Chaat (most places spell it as ‘chat’!)

Gangotri: Most places are good but you may want to request them to go slow on the spices. Prices on the higher side.
Shree mithai: There are quite a few but I like the one at Spencers the best. Reasonable prices and absolutely yummy fare.Sukh Sagar (Annanagar): Most famous for its pav bhajis.

Continental
Cornucopia (NM road): Absolutely love this place. Great food, OK ambience but pretty expensive.
Cedars (Kotturpuram high road): Lebanese food. Nice ambience and great food.
Little Italy (Nungambakkam): Great vegetarian fare, all Italian. The ambience and the quality of the food justify the price.
New Yorker (Nungambakkam): Again, vegetarian and nice fare.

There is a malaysian restaurant in T Nagar opposite Globus. Not tried it though.

Le Madeline (Road beside Chola Sheraton, Cathedral road): Nothing for the veggies. My non-vegetarian friend liked it though. On the same road, you have a place where they sell great sizzlers.
Mexican and Arabic: Spencers and Central mall have a couple of eateries. Decent fare. Don Pepe on Cathedral road is good.
You have the KFC’s, Subways, and Marry Browns for the junkies in most malls.

South Indian
The only place where you get the Bangalore Masala dosa is Sukh Sagar. Most of the south indian restaurants in the middle level are OK and you can bet your idlis on any of them.

Tamil
Saravana Bhavan: Prices do not justify the quantity and ambience at most places. There is one in every locality. Check it out just for the been-there-done-that thing.
Vasanta Bhavan: Again, an outlet in every locality. On par with Saravana’s on quality and scores on quantity.
Komalas: Expensive but much better than Saravana’s anyday. At least their ambience is good.
Murugan Idly Shop (T Nagar, Triplicane): As the name suggests, they are most famous for their Idlis. Try out their Dosas and Shakkar Pongal. You will not be dissappointed.
Rathna Cafe (Triplicane): If you are in the mood for some idlis dipped in piping-hot madrasi sambar, this is the place to be. Zero on ambience.
Kaaraikudi, Ponnusamy, Malgudi: Non-vegetarian fare, Chettinad style. Never tried them.

Udupi:

Sangeetha, Palimar (have their presence in most localities): The best Sangeetha’s is the one at Adyar and is highly reccoed. Downside: Always crowded. The Palimars are uniformly good.
Mathsya (Egmore): Great food. Low on ambience.
Woodlands drive-in and New Woodlands (Cathedral road): High on everything. Go for it.
Palmgrove (Nugambakkam): Nice food, OK ambience. The usual south indian fare. The Punjabi fare does not score too high though.

Kerala

Kairali: Again, most localities have one, and the vegetarian fare is uniformly good. Go for the appams!
Sanjeevanam (Mogappair East): Healthy, nutritious, Kerala fare at down-to-earth rates. Absolutely adore it!

Andhra:

There is one opposite music academy and next to Palki. Don’t remember the name. Nice food and decent prices.There is Annalakshmi or something like that on mount road. Never tried it out. Surprisingly for a place which boasts of so many Telugu people, the Andhra restaurants are pretty hard to come by.

Chinese

Now, everyone in India knows how authentic Indian Chinese restaurants are but you can still check out Wangs Kitchen, Noodle House for Chinese. You may not be dissappointed too much.

Thai

Benjaron (Alwarpet) Situated close to Park Sheraton. Never been there though.

Fruit Juices

Fruit shop on Greams road (again, an outlet in every major locale): They are the best part of Chennai. Great juices at very reasonable rates.

Ice creams

Move n Pick (Khader nawaz khan road) : Expensive and am not sure if the ambience and quality justify the price.There is one at the corner of Nungambakkam High road. Forgot the name

Pastries:
Sweet Chariot (any outlet. There is one at Alsa mall).

Coffee Shops

Almost every area has its own Barista or Coffee day. If you are willing to spend the extra buck, try Mochas on Khader Nawaz Khan Road.