Unmissable Filter Coffee Trail In Chennai
By Devi Poojari
Like the essence of Lucknow lies in its kebabs, filter coffee captures the spirit of Chennai in a little steel cup. When you’re in need of a strong cup of freshly brewed filter coffee, this incredible food trail comes to the rescue with some recommendations on where to go for the best experience. Check it out and visit these Chennai eateries for the best cups of Filter Kaapi.
*Some restaurants listed in this trail serve non-vegetarian food, but have been added because they have good vegetarian options on their menu as well.
Vivekananda Coffee House – Recommended by Janani (@legit_travel_maniac)
Established in 1959, this coffee house is one of the few businesses, that also sells their freshly ground coffee powder. Famous for their ‘Kumbakonam degree coffee’, Janani loves to unwind on Sunday evenings with a hot cup of this frothy, dark beverage.Coffee Shastra – Recommended by Aditya Kharat (@foodlab121)
Looking to enjoy a quick bite with friends? Head straight to the fairly new coffee shastra in Adyar, where assembling your cup of filter coffee almost feels like a science experiment. The staff pour the decoction into a disposable cup and top it off with hot milk, like clockwork – that it feels like they’ve been at it for longer than you know. Enjoy it with an onion samosa or hot bajjis, for a 10/10 coffee experience.Mylai Coffee – Recommended by Mohanapriya Venkatesan (@miss.chennaifoodie)
Located in the temple district of the city, Mylai district is where you head to for a true taste of Chennai. Along with the traditional brew, the coffee place also offers contemporary coffee-accompaniments like muffins, French fries and cookies. The hole-in-the-wall café also bakes fresh biscuits that you can pack and take home with you. How is this not a win-win!Ratna Cafe
Known to be one of the oldest spots in Mylapore, Ratna Café has also featured previously on our list of Chennai’s best tiffin places. The iconic establishment dishes out some of the best idlis, dosas, vadais and of course, an unbeatable cup of filter coffee, which is highly addictive; so much so, that calling for a second cup is inevitable. Head here for breakfast and wash it down with a strong, aromatic cup of coffee.Friends Karupatti Caapi – Recommended by @hungry_species
What’s most special about the coffee made here, according to the foodie, is the addition of palm jaggery as a sweetener to the hot drink. Giving it an almost caramel-like flavour, the delicious filter coffee is unique in a way where the deep bitterness is complemented by the sweet caramel notes of palm jaggery.Image Credits: Salon
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Madras Coffee House – Recommended by @enthuexplorerMadras Coffee House – Recommended by @enthuexplorer
According to him, there is no better way to start your day than with a piping hot, strong filter coffee. The iconic Madras Coffee House, which has multiple outlets all over Chennai as well as in other cities like Bengaluru, is the perfect stopping point between a shopping spree or walk around the city, to rejuvenate with the city’s beloved beverage.Vijayram Coffee – Recommended by @madras_food_talk
Priding themselves in brewing the best coffee since 1975, he says that his favourite way to enjoy filter coffee at this establishment located in the heart of Chennai, is in their chocolate-coated wafer cup. “The filter kappi is as same kappi we used to enjoy but when combined with this chocolate waffer cup gives it a good twist,” he says about the experience.Hot Chips Restaurant – Recommended by Sakthi (@saapatu_raman)
Similar to Madras Coffee House, Hot Chips also has multiple outlets across the city. Known for its deep-friend snacks like bonda, raw banana bajjis and the tiniest cup of filter coffee available, stop by the restaurant for a quick caffeine kick. The restaurant sources its own beans and roasts them in-house, to maintain consistency in quality and taste.Murugan Idli Shop
The glories of Murugan Idli have been sung far and wide for their fluffy podi idlis, freshly fried vadais, spongy utappams and of course, a strong filter coffee to wash it all down. For Madras Ponnu, who considers herself a coffee connoisseur, drinking a cup of coffee at Murugan Idli is the experience that locals and visitors enjoy with equal enthusiasm; not to forget, the old-school charm and slightly dingy interiors which lend to the appeal.Mylai Karpagambal Mess – Recommended by Valli (@murukku_meesakaran)
Also featured as an iconic establishment on our list of tiffin places, the ‘mess’ located in Mylapore has its unique take on the filter coffee. Slightly milkier than the usual cuppa you might find elsewhere, Valli says that the little circle of milk floating in the middle of the froth is what adds to the taste. He also recommends ordering the keerai vadai and medu vadai to enjoy with the beverage, while you’re there.
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