Treat Yourself To The Best Chettinad Restaurants in Chennai This Week

For those that don’t know, a little history lesson – the Nattukotai Chettiars are the ones who ‘invented’ the Chettinad cuisine. They come from the Chettinad region of the state of Tamil Nadu and is one of the most well known and most loved cuisines in the south of India. Chettinad food is known for the variety of spices used and the dishes are also made using fresh ground masalas, as opposed to masalas you can buy in packets from any stores. There’s a lot of meat used in their food – mostly sun dried meats – and plenty of vegetables as well.

Chennai, as the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is home to different kinds of Tamilian cuisines and the Chettinad cuisine is obviously one of them. There are lots of restaurants in the city that serve Chettinad food, but obviously putting them all down in a list that makes it easy for you to visit would be a little complicated and maybe too long. However, if you are visiting Chennai – or you live in the city – here’s where you can find really good Chettinad food that will complete your day, month or even year!

Maplai

One of the first places you should definitely visit is Maplai in Nungambakkam. The restaurant serves everything South Indian and whatever your heart craves, you can find it here. Both non-vegetarian and vegetarian are available, so take a day out of your busy schedule and get your fill.

Location: Nungambakkam

Madras – The Raintree

The Raintree hotel in Teynampet has a great collection of restaurants, but the one that truly stands out is Madras for it’s delicious and authentic South Indian food. So whatever event or party you’re attending at the hotel, make sure that you stop by this restaurant and try their specials.

Location: Teynampet

Kumaravel Chettinad Meals

Sometimes to get the best in authentic meals, you have to go to the source or just to a more South Indian restaurant as it were. Treat yourself to a full Chettinad meal at this spot in Teynampet, because it will please your tastebuds like you would not believe!

Location: Teynampet

Parambriym

If you’ve never heard of this restaurant, then you’re in for a treat. Again known for their South Indian food, Parambriym is located all over the city with different Chettinad and other South Indian offerings that will make your mouth water. Take a lunch break and head out to try their food today.

Location: Anna Nagar East, Alwarpet, Velachery, Tambaram & more

Dakshin – Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park

It’s a feast at Dakshin, that’s something you can be sure to get. Everything from Kerala to Andhra and to Chettinad is available on their menu. So you can mix and match, try a bit of everything and enjoy a treat like no other.

Location: Alwarpet

Amala Chettinadu Mess

Want to try something a little cheaper and also experience the true Chettinad way of eating? Always pick a mess and Amala is our recommendation. You still get authentic food, surrounded by the smells and flavours that you would find in a regular Chettinad restaurant or home.

Location: Anna Nagar East

Thinnai Chettinad Restaurant

When a restaurant has the word “Chettinad” in it and that’s the kind of place you’re looking for, you know you’ve hit the jackpot! They’re open from 11am all the way till close to midnight, so you get to enjoy their food all day long!

Location: Thuraipakkam

Jakob’s Kitchen

Another multi-cuisine South Indian restaurant in the city, this is a place that everybody will swear by when it comes to pretty much every single South Indian dish you can think of. Whether you’re looking for food from Kerala or even the Chettinad region, they have it.

Location: Nungambakkam

Azzuri Bay

Enjoy a rooftop meal while you chow down on delicious cuisines from all over South India as well as the world! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even mix it all up and get a global cuisine kind of meal, which we totally support.

Location: Adyar

Anjappar

This name is synonym with great South Indian food and obviously their Chettinad food is just as popular. It’s a family spot spread out all over Chennai, offering the best of the best.

Location: Adyar

Ponnusamy Hotels

Another name that is popular for exactly what this list is made for, Ponnusamy Hotels has pretty much everything, including Biryani that is just mouth watering. So whatever you were planning on doing for lunch today, cancel it. Head on over here!

Location: Royapettah