Chennai’s Ramadan Food Destinations That Will Make Iftar Better Than Ever Before

It goes without saying that food is an essential part of any festive holiday. Families unite around food, be it a Christmas feast, an Onam celebration- the list goes on and on. Now, the holy ninth  month of the Islamic calendar is upon Muslims all over the world. Ramadan is a time period when Muslims fast during the day for a month in order to honor the first revelation of the Quaran to Muhammed. Before sunrise (suhur) and after sunset (iftar) however, people feast on the most delicious dishes before another day of fasting.

Foods eaten during Ramadan are especially decadent, with the whole city smelling like a tandoor oven, preparing for that night’s feast. Many dishes are infused with aromatic spices and are served with rich gravies, making your mouth water at night and your tummy swell by sunrise! So we found some of the best places to get Ramadan must eats in the city so that you spend less time searching and more time eating. 

Biryani

Biryani, otherwise known as the people pleaser, is a delicious rice dish, flavored with spices, vegetables, lentils and meat. It is often served with a spiced yogurt accompaniment known as raita. Many argue that Hyderabad serves the country’s best biryani but these restaurants put up a good fight.

• Hajeeras Kitchen
  • Located in Velacherry and Perungudi
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 550

• Bismi Biryani
  • Located in Nungambakkam
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 650

• Zaitoon
  • Located in Velacherry, Adyar, Anna Nagar East and Royapettah
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 800

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is a type of roasted chicken that is cooked on in a clay oven called a tandoor. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and tandoori masala spices and roasted until it turns a fiery red. Although it originated from Punjab, tandoori chicken has made its way to the south, without losing its sizzling flavor.

• Tandoori Tiruvizha
  • Located in Chengalpattu,
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 700

• Copper Kitchen
  • Located in Porur and Saligramam
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 800

• Copper Chimney
  • Located in Gopalapuram and Taramani
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 1,200

Chicken Tikka

Much like tandoori chicken, chicken tikka is also immersed in a yogurt-spice marinade and cooked in a tandoor. The boneless skewered chicken is often served with coriander or tamarind chutney, raw onions and cabbage and topped off with a spritz of lemon juice. Find the juiciest chicken at these restaurants.

• AB’s Absolute Barbeque
  • Located in T. Nagar
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 1,600

• Bombay Brasserie
  • Located in Nungambakkam and Adyar
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 1,200

• DiMoRa
  • Located in Velacherry
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 1,200

Veg/Non- Veg Manchurian

This Indo-Chinese fusion dish is a must have at all Iftar meals. Vegetables are dipped in a spiced corn flour batter and deep fried until they are golden brown. After that, the vegetables are tossed with onions, green peppers and other vegetables and doused in a soy-chili sauce. Find this delicacy at these eateries.

• Vrindavan- New Woodlands Hotel
  • Located in Mylapore
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 500

• The Chinese Story
  • Located in Ramapuram
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 1,000

Dahi Vada

This Indian treat is perfect for the summer and Ramadam. Vada- fried flour balls, are immersed in thick yogurt, dahi, and infused with spices. It is topped with coriander, mint and tamarind chutney and chili powder. Dahi Vada can be found in a number of fast food joints around Chennai. These are some of the best.

• Sangeetha Veg Restaurant
  • Located in T. Nagar, Adyar, Mylapore and 18 other locations
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 500

• Madras- The Raintree Hotel
  • Located in Teynampet
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 1,800

• Kakada Ramprasad
  • Located in Sowcarpet
  • Cost for 2: R. 450

Shawarma

This middle Eastern wrap is brimming a mouthwatering filling that will leave you full but craving for more. The meat is roasted on a vertical spit and shavings are cut off the block. Along with the meat, Shawarmas are stuffed with tomatoes, cucumber, tahini, hummus, and olive oil. Iftar won’t be the same without this.

• Samco
  • Located in Alwarpet and Teynampet
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 800

• Alreef
  • Located in Sholinganallur, Kodambakkam, Kottivakkam and 9 other places
  • Cost for 2: Rs. 600

• Arabian Hut
  • Located in the food court of Express Avenue, Phoenix Market City and Chennai Citi Center and Ampa Skywalk Mall.
  • Cost or 2: Rs. 400

Ramadan Mubarak!