South Indian Tiffin Trail Across Chennai
By Devi Poojari
When it comes to ‘tiffin’ food in Chennai, pretty much anything that can be eaten for breakfast or a light evening snack fall under the category. An assortment of savoury dishes, the tiffin meal that traces the origins of the name back to the Colonial rule, serves as an interlude between main meals of the day – lunch and dinner. This food trail gives you the best options for tiffin in Chennai.
*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.
Jannal Kadai
A landmark establishment in Mylapore, the Jannal Kadai or window shop, as it translates to, is popular with locals as well as tourists. Priya recommends visiting this hole-in-the-wall place for a plate of freshly fried bajjis – more specifically the chilli bajjis that are stuffed with potato masala and onions. She says, “The outer layer of the bajjis is crispy with the right amount of spices, that will leave you wanting more.”Murugan Idli Shop
A legendary eatery and an institution of tiffin food, the Murugan Idli shop is known for serving up the softest, fluffiest ghee podi idlis, along with an array of chutneys ranging from the usual coconut to coriander and tomato-peanut. What started off as a tiny place serving just idlis, the eatery has expanded to have multiple outlets across the city for hungry customers. Srishti recommends digging into the idlis, of course, and also trying out the pongal-sambar if you still have some space.Sangeetha Veg Restaurant
An establishment that dates back to the 1950’s, Sangeetha, much like Murugan, has expanded into a franchise. Known for its rava masaladosaiand masala dosai, Sangeetha also serves up some excellent lemon sevai and coconut chutney, as well as a strong cup of filter coffee. If you’re in the mood to indulge your sweet tooth, don’t forget to get a portion of their sweetkuzhi paniyarams.Ratna Café
Established in 1948, Ratna Café in Triplicane is one of the best-kept local secrets. Famous for its delicious and lip-smacking idli-sambar, this restaurant is known to have one of the best sambars served up in a commercial joint. Food is served on banana leaves and made fresh, for customers to enjoy on a daily basis. With a simple menu and limited items on offer, Ratna Café is a must-visit on your next trip.Patappas Catering
Known for their authentic Tamil Brahmin dishes, this popular catering service also has a newly-opened restaurant that serves up their top favourite dishes. If there is a single tiffin dish that everyone must try, it is their adai-avial, a multigrain dosa-like crepe served with mixed vegetables cooked in a coconut paste.Vishranthi
Sreekanth claims that Vishranthi serves up the ‘best filter coffee’ in Chennai, the establishment is famous for its idiyappams – rice string hoppers and sweet pongal. For a traditional breakfast experience and starting the day on a fresh note, the restaurant also offers other delicious options from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.Mami’s Tiffen Stall
Located next to the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Mylapore, Mami’s Tiffen Stall serves up a forgotten traditional dish known as thavala vadai – a deep-fried fritter made with lentils and rice, eaten as an evening snack. The mess also serves up delicious kozhukattais – rice flour dumplings stuffed with jaggery and coconut. Started by Vasantha mami, who hails from a small village called Alvarkurichi, the eatery is now flocked by locals for a quick bite.Mylai Karpagambal Mess
Known to be one of the oldest messes in the city, the 1500-square foot space serves up some of the best tiffin offerings that Chennai has to offer. Deepthi suggests that it is mandatory to visit the mess after paying your respects at the famous Kapaleeshwar temple in Mylapore and dig into a portion of piping hot sambar-vadai. Other specialties also include their melt-in-the-mouthbadam halwa, banana flower adai andkeerai vadai.Rayar’s Mess
Sathya swears by the 70-year old mess that has continued to serve its unbeatable combination of idli-vadai-pongal, followed by a strong filter coffee. She says that it is an excellent place to visit for breakfast and suggests paying a visit to the place on weekdays, to avoid crowds that throng the restaurant for its top-notch food.Amildam’s Nature Restaurant
This unique eatery that has a millet-based menu, combines health and taste to serve up some delicious creations like ragi adai,mullakati paruppu vadai(a deep-fried snack with leafy greens), served with anonion chutneyand vadai curry. The restaurant located in the busy hub of Anna Nagar has something to suit all kinds of taste palettes.
Popular dishes from Chennai
