Chennai has emerged as foodies’ hub and the lifestyle of Chennaites has significantly changed in the last decade. Those who wonder that there is not anything to Chennai's dining scene apart from dosa and filter coffee are sure to be amazed to witness the metropolis in a distinctive light when it comes to the best restaurants in Chennai. The juggernaut of modernity has swept in, changing Chennai's food landscape dramatically and this changing way of life has led to the advent of interesting and diverse restaurants in Chennai.
Here is a list of the top restaurants in Chennai
Best Romantic Restaurants in Chennai
With an outstanding nine-course meal and a live counter for Italian cuisines, Basil With A Twist serves as one of the finest and romantic restaurants in Chennai for a date night. With their mesmerizing candlelight dinner room that fits the special nights very well, this restaurant is known for serving authentic European delicacies, and dishes with an Asian twist.
Must-Haves: Mushroom Pasta, Chicken Yakitori, Crispy Baby Potato, and Risotto
Timings: Monday to Friday – 12 noon to 11 pm; Weekends – 11 am to 11 pm
Cuisine: Italian, Continental, Mediterranean, European, and more
Average Meal for Two (Without Alcohol): INR 1,800 (tax excluded)
Location: 58-A, Habibullah Road, T. Nagar, Chennai (Get Directions)
A proud asset of the Westin group of resorts, sunset Grill adds magic with its mystique aura to the complete fine dining experience. A lethal mixture of an outdoors putting and a candlelight dinner can simply be relished at sunset Grill which certainly is one of the most romantic rooftop restaurants in Chennai. Spread around a variety of dishes with Arabic influences to deal with your taste buds.
Must-Haves: Lamb Kebab, Lentil Soup, Paneer Tikka, Babaganush, and Falafel
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 7 pm to 11 pm
Cuisine: Continental, and Middle Eastern
Average Meal for Two (With Beer): INR 3,000 (tax excluded)
Location: The Westin, 154, Velachery Main Road, Velachery, Chennai (Get Directions)
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Best Theme Restaurants in Chennai
Kaidi Kitchen is absolutely made for the people who want to revel in the Tihar Jail experience, without being pictured in any scandal. Waiters would all dress up as prison inmates and supervisors as Police. The ambiance makes you since you're eating in prison cell. However, food would not. Excellent veg restaurant to hit in Chennai.
Must-Haves: Baked Rasgulla, Mongolian Soup, Tiranga Paneer Tikka
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 12Noon to 3:30 PM and 7 PM to 11 PM
Cuisine: Indian, Italian, Mexican, Lebanese, Chinese, Thai- all Vegetarian
Average Meal For Two: INR 350
Location: 20/3, Bishop Wallers Avenue, Mylapore, Chennai (Get Directions)
Love horror and can’t get enough of it? Inevitably this restaurant would restore your faith! Welcome to the cosmos of ghosts and skeletons, bats and spiders, Frankenstein and of spookiness! Haunted crafted its name with its remarkable décor and groovy themed dinner for all the spook enthusiast.
Must-Haves: Panner Tikka, Momos, Bbq Fish, Mango Payasam, Paneer Tikka, Mutton Balls, Manchow Soup
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 12Noon to 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM to 2 AM
Cuisine: North Indian, Chinese, Arabian, Burmese, Beverages, BBQ, Grill, Indian
Average Meal For Two: INR 800 (Approx)
Location: F-13, 2nd Main Road, Block F, Annanagar East, Chennai (Get Directions)
Rain Forest is a casual dining theme based restaurant located in Adyar, Chennai. The restaurant's theme is based on that of forest providing a nature's feeling to the diners. The place offers a variety of multiple cuisines from their affordable multi-cuisine menu. Rain Forest serves North Indian, Chinese, Mughlai, and Continental food along with various Seafood items.
The place also serves various Tandoori items for people who have that special deviation towards smoky flavors of grilled food items. Rain Forest offers a nice ambiance, an economical menu and great flavors in food for people of every age group. It is also a friendly restaurant for couple.
Must-Haves: Phuket Fish, Phuket Paneer, Sweet Corn Soup, Bbq Chicken
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Cuisine: North Indian, Chinese, Continental
Average Meal For Two: INR 950 (Approx)
Location: 41 & 42, 1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar (Get Directions)
The Waterfall Restaurant, a casual dining restaurant that has a beautiful theme-based ambiance. It is a paradise for food lovers and takes this leap of serving foodies with North Indian, Chinese, South Indian, and Andhra cuisines and living up to the diner's expectations every single day. The compassionate staff with its additional efforts plays a big role in making this dream of attaining perfection, a reality. The beautiful carvings on the wall and comfortable seating take you at awe. The most affordable menu features every specialty dish under the mentioned cuisine and takes you on a flavorful ride.
Must-Haves: Hot garlic fish, American chop suey, Easy greek salad, Chicken Hawaiian salad, Shahi Tukda
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Cuisine: Andhra, Chinese, North Indian, South Indian
Average Meal For Two: INR 800 (Approx)
Location: 18, L.V Prasad Road, Dhanalakshmi Colony, Vadapalani (Get Directions)
Best Affordable Restaurants in Chennai
Located at the Mint Avenue they serve some of the scrumptious North Indian food and chat items. Rasoee is an ideal lunch hotspot where less damage is incurred to anyone’s pockets. Their lunch service is much busy and crowded, be organized to wait.
Must-Haves: Aloo Paratha, Phulka & Gravies
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Cuisine: North Indian, Street Food, Chinese, Fast Food
Average Meal For Two: INR 300 (Approx)
Location: Harleys Road, Kilpauk, Chennai (Get Directions)
You can give this restaurant an appellation of “Pocket Sized Heaven”. Though on the mains of Choolaimedu, it’s intricate to spot them. Noted for their Tibetan food at reasonable price.
Must-Haves: Noodles, Dumplings, Chop Suey, Beef Momo, Veg Momos, Chicken Thukpa, Chicken Dhangthuk
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 12.30 PM to 7.30 PM
Cuisine: Tibetan
Average Meal For Two: INR 650 (Approx)
Location: Perinbavilas Complex, Opposite Chitra Apartments, Choolaimedu (Get Directions)
Best Luxurious Restaurants in Chennai
Winner of the times' food Awards 2017, this opulent multi-cuisine restaurant is honestly marvelous. The place has table seating with thematic zones like Love Seats, The high table, The Crown, and The private zone.
Must-Haves: Dum Biryani, Croissants, Jumbo Prawns, Breakfast Buffet, Waffles, Chaat
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 06:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Cuisine: North Indian, Chinese, Continental, Desserts
Average Meal For Two: INR 5000 (Approx)
Location: ITC Grand Chola, 63, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai (Get Directions)
Some of the quality Grills and Turkish food you can experience as you soak up the high-end ambiance and sense pampered with the courteous service.
Must-Haves: Tiramisu, Sea Food, Calamari, Paneer Tikka, Pepperoni Pizza, Jasmine Rice
Timings: Monday to Saturday – 03:00 PM to 01:00 AM and Sunday – 12:00 PM to 01:00 AM
Cuisine: Turkish, Continental, Italian, North Indian, Asian, Thai
Average Meal For Two: INR 3500 (Approx)
Location: Park Hyatt, 39, Velachery Road, Guindy, Chennai (Get Directions)
Best North Indian Restaurants in Chennai
This restaurant takes the Punjabi in its name pretty seriously. The non-veg platter served here's a have to try and the place specializes in tandoori cooking. Consistent with the theme, have a tumbler of lassi after your meal.
Must-Haves: Lassi, Rabri, Kulfi, Masala Kulcha, Tandoori Chicken, Reshmi Kebab, Masala Papad
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 03:30 PM, 07:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Cuisine: North Indian, Chinese
Average Meal For Two: INR 800 (Approx)
Location: 114/9, Poonamallee High Road, Opposite Hotel Abu Palace, Egmore (Get Directions)
Best South Indian Restaurants in Chennai
This place is every Chennaiite's delight and is noted for its idlis. Enjoy the crackling chemistry between the idli and sambar only at Murugan Idli.
Must-Haves: Idli, Onion Uttappam, Sweet Pongal, Dosa, Jigarthanda
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 07:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cuisine: South Indians
Average Meal For Two: INR 200 (Approx)
Location: 129/28, 100 Feet Road, Velachery, Chennai (Get Directions)
Ratna Café started in 1948, with many fond recollections this restaurant has been running successfully ever since it commenced and deserves the call of best restaurants in Chennai. The Sambar served right here is so scrumptious that you may find yourself soliciting for more idlis just to accompany the sambar.
Must-Haves: Idli Sambar, Pongal, Plain Dosa, Vada Sambar, Ghee Masala Dosa
Timings: Monday to Sunday – 07:30 AM to 10:30 PM
Cuisine: South Indians
Average Meal For Two: INR 350 (Approx)
Location: 255, Triplicane High Road, Triplican (Get Directions)
Best Pubs in Chennai
Besides their crazy finger food and cocktails, Sera, The Tapas Bar also plays a number of the quality musical hits that are sure to set your toes tapping. A majority of their crowd appear to go over there truly for the fun and music, particularly on a Friday night. What keeps them going again is the collection of tune, especially those who love to dance. The ambiance and music absolutely go hand in hand making this a top preference for an evening at the bar with buddies.
Must-Haves: Nachos, Pasta, Martini, Sangria, Sunday Brunch, Mashed Potato, Fish Grill
Timings: Monday – 01:00 PM to 00:00 AM, Tuesday to Sunday – 12:30 PM to 00:00 AM
Cuisine: Seafood, Italian, Finger Food
Average Meal For Two: INR 2000 (Approx)
Location: 71, Cathedral Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai (Get Directions)
Eating out is no more a tummy filler, it is an experience to be nourished and enjoyed.
FAQ’S
Q. What are the best places to eat in Chennai?
A. Kaidi Kitchen, Zaitoon, Barbeque Nation, Kalyana bhavan biryani, Tosai, Badal Da Punjabi Dhabha, Zaica and many more.
Q. Which is the best place to eat biryani in Chennai?
A. Ya Mohideen Biryani – Pallavaram, Dindigul Thalapakatti Biryani, SukkuBhai Beef Biryani, Hajeeras kitchen – Velachery, Hotel Kalyan Bhavan, Daawat Biriyani – Pallavaram.
Q. What are the best restaurants in Chennai for couples?
A. Dario's - Alwarpet, The Gateway Hotel IT Expressway Chennai, Little Italy, Mainland China, Yoko Sizzlers, ITC Grand Chola.
Q. What are the best Veg restaurants in Chennai?
A. Kaidi Kitchen, Dario’s, Eden, Pind, Amdavadi, BR Mathsya.
Q. What are the best non-veg restaurants in Chennai?
A. Buhari hotel, Dindigul thalapakatti, Sea Shell, Badal Da Punjabi Dhabha, Zaitoon, Barbeque Nation - Chennai - T. Nagar.