Chennai’s best casual eats
Our pick of Chennai’s best casual eats — the tiffin rooms, messes and biryani houses that define South Indian eating, from century-old institutions to the Chettinad and Ambur specialists. Sources: Culinary Culture Ultimate Restaurant Ratings 2026 https://culinaryculture.co. A favourite.place selection.
@fave11 placesChennai
Places on the map
Tap a pin for the place details.
Murugan Idli Shop
4.1(11,085)rated 4.1 out of 5 by 11085 people on GoogleSouth Indian Restaurant · ££
Idli
46 13, N Usman Rd, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017, IndiaRayar’s Mess
4.3(2,514)rated 4.3 out of 5 by 2514 people on GoogleVegetarian Restaurant · £
Tiffin
31, Arundale St, Madhavaperumalpuram, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004, IndiaKarpagambal Mess
3.5(4,158)rated 3.5 out of 5 by 4158 people on GoogleSouth Indian Restaurant · ££
Tiffin
20, E Mada St, Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004, IndiaRatna Cafe
4.0(17,066)rated 4.0 out of 5 by 17066 people on GoogleSouth Indian Restaurant · £
Idli & sambar
Triplicane High Rd, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005, IndiaSaravana Bhavan
3.5(1,463)rated 3.5 out of 5 by 1463 people on GoogleSouth Indian Restaurant · £
South Indian vegetarian
1st St, Sowbhagya Colony, Sector 1, K. K. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600078, IndiaSangeetha Veg Restaurant
4.0(11,416)rated 4.0 out of 5 by 11416 people on GoogleVegetarian Restaurant · £
South Indian vegetarian
65, Anna Salai, Race View Colony, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600032, IndiaPonnusamy Hotel
4.0(5,440)rated 4.0 out of 5 by 5440 people on GoogleSouth Indian Restaurant · ££
Chettinad
No 55, 3737+JJ7, 1, Gowdiamutt Rd, Azad Nagar, Royapettah, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600014, IndiaAnjappar Chettinad
4.1(4,858)rated 4.1 out of 5 by 4858 people on GoogleSouth Indian Restaurant · ££
Chettinad
1, Velachery Bypass Rd, Kamarajapuram, Ganapathy Nagar, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600042, IndiaDindigul Thalappakatti
4.3(7,925)rated 4.3 out of 5 by 7925 people on GoogleIndian Restaurant · ££
Biryani
New No.229, Old No.372, 375, NSC Bose Rd, Parry's Corner, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001, IndiaJannal Kadai
4.0(729)rated 4.0 out of 5 by 729 people on GoogleBreakfast Restaurant · £
Bajji through a window
12 1, Ponnambala Vadhyar St, Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004, IndiaMathsya
4.2(8,952)rated 4.2 out of 5 by 8952 people on GoogleVegetarian Restaurant · ££
North Indian vegetarian
1, Tamil Salai, KVN Puram, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008, India
Place details, ratings and photos from Google Maps
Save or share
Send the collection, or keep a copy in your map app.
What readers think
No ratings yet. Be the first reader to add some context.
Sign in to rate this list or leave a comment.