Pondicherry, now Puducherry, has a very checkered and vibrant history of colonial rule under the Dutch, French, Portuguese, and English, interspersed with the rule of kings of dominant Indian dynasties in the course of its existence. Each of these has left behind bits of their legacies. The French ruled the longest, and one will see quaint reminders in the geography, cuisine, culture, churches, museums, homes, and other buildings. The state is home to a diverse population of indigenous Tamilian people, some of colonial descent, along with throngs of Indian and global visitors.
The world-famous Aurobindo Ashram, famously called Auroville, is a township one must visit. Puducherry is a well-planned city, and most tourists en route to Rameswaram will take a stay in or tour of this historical city along the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
Now that we know the background of this town, let us step forward to visit some of this land’s popular places for breakfast, offering delicious western, continental, French, Indian, and other cuisine items. Regular Indian breakfast options like Idli-vada, masala dosa and chutney, parathas, samosas, and upma are everyday fare that fill hungry stomachs in a wholesome manner.
This time around, we are exploring the many quaint old-world places tucked into the many corners of the state, offering delectable breakfast options, set in a unique atmosphere.
Bread and Chocolate:
The perfect place for a European breakfast, where you can enjoy the traditional atmosphere and smells as you eat. Located within the Auroville township, Bread & Chocolate is a small bakery and cafe. Oven-fresh goodies are a given and are delicious and tempting. Whether it's just coffee and croissants or some of their rich chocolatey options, the choices from the display are many, and so you can help yourself to a typically European experience right here in India.
Cuisines: French, Continental
Types offered: Dine in, Take away, Delivery
Timings: 8 am to 5 pm. Closed on Mondays
Location: MDR 1115, Auroville Road, Kuilapalyam, Puducherry 605101
Cost for two: Rs 500-1000
Cafe des Arts:
A typically French boutique cafe with beautiful vintage interiors with a bohemian touch and decor that is pleasing and inviting Enjoy the quintessential French breakfast spread: baguettes, gazpacho, sandwiches, pastries, and so much more. Top it off with an extremely rich and delectable fondant au chocolat. If feeling adventurous, sip on their delicious hibiscus flower syrup instead of coffee or tea. This will be a visit that could be memorable on many counts.
Cuisines: French, Continental, European cafe
Types offered: mostly non-vegetarian, but vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are also available
Timings: 9.30 am to 7 pm. Closed on Tuesdays
Location: #1, Labourdonnais Street, White Town, Puducherry 605001
Cost for two: Rs 1000
Villa Shanthi:
Get transported to a once-upon-a-time world as you tuck into fantastic continental breakfast spreads. Located in a 19th-century villa from a bygone era, this place was restored and refurbished very tastefully. The interiors are gorgeous yet exude old-world charm. One has the choice to sit in the verandah that runs across the courtyard or alfresco in the courtyard, and have a gourmet breakfast. The fact that the place is located a walkable distance from the famous Promenade beach is an added advantage.
Cuisines: North Indian, French, Italian,
Types offered: Continental, finger food, and beverages
Timings: 7.30 am to 10.30 pm, Monday to Sunday
Location: 14, Suffern Street, White Town, Pondicherry 605001
Cost for two: Rs 2000
Coromandel Cafe:
A place ideal for a laid-back breakfast, with lush environs of green that soothe the eye. Housed within an old French mansion with tastefully done up interiors, one can enjoy a meal here seated indoors or outdoors amidst the painting-like setting. The interiors are done up in white, pastels, and green, with fixtures and fittings of the time. The pastel pink exterior is inviting and warm.
They are pet-friendly and offer vegetarian and vegan options as well. The restaurant supports and sources locally grown garden-fresh and farm-fresh ingredients. Relish their cakes, pastries, pies, and array of other offerings
Cuisines: European, Asian, Indian
Types offered: Continental, finger food, and beverages
Timing: 8.30 am to 10.30 pm, Monday to Sunday
Location: 8 La Maison Rose, Romain Rolland Street, White Town, Puducherry 605001
Cost for two: Rs 1000
Le Cafe:
Breakfast on the seafront! With its picturesque, idyllic setting, this cafe is as famous for its food as for the view and setting it affords. Le Cafe provides a wholesome experience of good food with an uninterrupted sea view as salty, tangy breezes come ashore to cool you down on a typically tropical morning. The cherry on top is that this place is open around the clock, so one can visit whenever hunger pangs strike. Good food by the sea, 24 hours a day. What’s not to love?
Cuisine: Continental
Types offered: sandwiches, shakes, gratins, coffees, and cold beverages
Timings: Open 24 hours, Monday to Sunday
Location: WRJP- J8M, Near Gandhi Statue, Beach Road, White Town, Puducherry 605001
Cost for two: Rs 450
Auroville Bakery & Cafe:
What better place than a bakery to relish the freshest goodies right off the oven? Located within the Auroville township, this is a breakfast destination that gives one the feeling of being in a global holiday location. Visit this place on weekdays, as Sundays are holidays, and help yourself to a scrumptious European breakfast. Get tempted to pack some of their goodies to relish at leisure. A great place to re-energize oneself after a day of hectic activity or holidaying.
Cuisines: French, Italian
Types offered: cakes, pastries, baked goods like baguettes, breads, biscuits, croissants, pizza, pies, tarts, rolls, and quiches.
Timings: 7 am to 5 pm. Closed on Sundays
Location: opp Gastronomica, Auroville Road, Kuilapalyam Bommayapalyam, Puducherry 605101
PY cafe:
A highly recommended place for Instagram (and food) lovers, with well-done up, interestingly adorned, colorful furniture, and displaying nicely framed quotes, curios, objet d'arts. This restaurant has interiors that are visually welcoming as well as a surprise. Located close to Raj Nivas, it boasts a nice locale and address. They serve a good range of items that make for a fine-dining breakfast experience. Quiches, pasta, rice noodles, Thai curry, bastillas, pastries, eggs benedict, gelato, cheesecakes, chocolate mousse, and more
Cuisines: French, Italian, Asian, Indian,
Types offered: multi-cuisine food along with vegetarian and vegan options
Location: 132, Mission Street, Heritage Town, Puducherry 605001
Timing: 10 am to 11 pm, Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 600
Eat My Cake:
Quaint and tastefully done up in magenta and teal colors, bringing back childhood memories of Barbie World days, this is a tiny al fresco dining space just right for a hearty breakfast. They also have a rooftop thatch dining area. The chalkboard placed outside informs those interested of the day's special offerings. Bagels, salads, quiches, cheese platters, and much more It's a lovely oceanfront spot with terrace seating and a garden facility too. Is known as a women-owned and managed place that assures a happy breakfast experience. Tuck into delicious pancakes, quiches, cakes, pastries, cheesecake, smoothies, beverages, and more.
Cuisine: French, Continental,
Types offered: European and Indian food with vegetarian varieties
Location: Romain Rolland Street, White Town, Puducherry 605001
Timings: 8 am to 7 pm, Monday to Sunday
Cost for two: Rs 400
Every street, every turn, and nearly any restaurant in Puducherry has a unique story to tell, with menus that make it a foodie paradise.
Bon Appétit.