Onam celebrations are in full swing, and everyone is gearing up for the festivities, fun, and food. Onam Sadhya, the traditional meal served during the 10-day-long festival, is one of the best parts of the festival, where friends and family come together to eat and celebrate together. From simple main courses to comforting desserts, the entire spread of Onasadya is reflective of the diversity and simplistic nature of India’s food. And right here in Chennai, amidst the city's vibrant and cultural energy, you can discover many places that offer this delectable, authentic experience.
Join us as we take you to experience Onam celebrations, exploring the best Sadhya places in Chennai, where simplicity and taste mingle together to create unforgettable memories with laughter, fun, and amazing food.
Dakshin
Dakshin restaurant at Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park is all set to bring its sadhya with its eco-friendly dine-in and takeaway options, which comprise 26 vegetarian dishes and are served on banana leaves. This will reflect the vibrancy of the flower decoration ‘Pookalam’ that adorns every doorstep in Kerala at this time of year. The festive lunch for two, neatly packed, has delicious items such as sharkara varatti, ulli vada, mathalangai eruserry, toran, olan, kalan, avial, and more. For dessert, there is unniappam, paal ada payasam, and parippu pradhaman.
Date: 26th–30th August
Time: Lunch and Dinner as per regular timings
Address: 132, TT Krishnamachari Rd., Austin Nagar, Alwarpet, Chennai
Price for two: Rs 2537 for dine-in, Rs 2750 onwards for take-away (meal for two).
Recipe - Authentic Kerala
Cafe G
When Onam calls for a special touch or a special celebration, Cafe G in the Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway is the place. Serving the delectable and hearty Sadhya meal not for one day but for two consecutive days, August 28th and 29th, this traditional sit-down leaf service multi-course meal will include 24 authentic dishes. You can have avial, erissery, different kinds of pickles, and payasam. So, go and book your tables for a special Onam feast at Cafe G.
Date: August 28th and 29th
Time: Lunch, 12:30 PM–3 PM
Address: Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway 110 Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Old Mahabalipuram Road, OMR, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041
Price per person: INR 1500 + taxes
The Melting Pot
Celebrate the 'Traditional Onam Sadhya' Festival at the InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram. Immerse yourself in the festive ambience at The Melting Pot, renowned for its excellence. Indulge in the exquisite Onam Sadhya, a sumptuous South Indian feast featuring Avial, Erussery, Carrot-Cabbage Thoran, and more, with the delectable Ada Pradhaman dessert. This curated experience promises a journey through authentic flavours and cherished traditions. An unmissable opportunity to relish award-winning dining intertwined with the essence of Onam festivities.
Date: August 29th
Time: Lunch, 12:30 PM–3:30 PM
Address: No.212, East Coast Road, Nemelli Village, Perur Post Office, Chengalpattu District, Chennai, 603104, Tamil Nadu, India
Price per person: INR 1995 + Taxes
Kappa Chakka Kandhari
Providing the authentic taste of Kerala sadhya in both dine-in and takeaway options, KCK is bringing authentic food for the joyous festivities in Chennai. With huge demands for their gift boxes and Onam special payasam varieties, the festivities are on a high. The dishes that will be served include uppu, cheru pazham, chena chops, nendrakai nuruku, inji puli, and beetroot kichadi. Book your reservations in advance!
Date: 28-29th August
Time: 11:30 AM - 4 PM
Dine-in Address: St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church Auditorium, Adjacent to M.C.C. School 78, Harrington Rd., Chetpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600031
Takeaway Address: Kappa Chakka Kandhari Restaurant, 10, Haddows Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600006.
Price per person: INR 1190
Ente Keralam
With 32 delicious vegetarian dishes, Ente Keralam is a place that serves the authentic taste of Kerala throughout the year, but the Onam feast is just another reason to make the menu grander. Again, both takeaway and dining are available, with the main attraction being dishes like thoran, pachadi, inji puli, pappadum, and a variety of payasam.
Date: 23 August–3 September
Time: Lunch and dinner as per regular timings
Address: No. 1 First Street, Kasturi Estate, Poes Garden, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018
Price: INR 899 for one person; takeaway INR 1699 for two people