Top 10 restaurants in Chennai 2021
Bored of cooking at home? Want a change in taste palettes? With the pandemic situation under control and the vaccine being rolled out, India has been seeing a considerable immunity towards Covid-19. It is time to celebrate in some of Chennai’s best restaurants. From a lockdown to restaurants being completely shut, to partial opening for takeaways, people were always a little skeptical and preferred drive-ins to dining in. However, thanks to the rapid vaccination drive and the responsible citizens, Chennai is now safe to dine out in some of its best restaurants.
Chennai’s food scene has gradually progressed in the last decade. Chennai’s restaurants are not anymore about dosa and filter kaapi, though they are still the best here! The landscape of food has changed and Chennai is now home to some of the best cuisines and restaurant chains in the country. So here is a list of Chennai’s best restaurants which we want you to try for their lip smacking food and stunning ambiance:
Bombay Brasserie – An explosion of flavours in every bite, rediscover Indian cuisine with a twist at this restaurant located on College road. With years of research, this restaurant has created a unique bouquet of flavours like no other. A food paradise fro non-veg and veg lovers alike, their Nawabi biriyanis are one of the best on Chennai. Banana leaf coconut rice is flavourful and goes amazingly well with the Martaban Achari chicken. Head out to this place for authentic North Indian food, if you wouldn’t mind spending a little extra, which is totally justified for the taste they have to offer!
La Cabana – Thinking of spending the evening in fresh air eating amazing food, but don’t want to drive around too much? La Cabana is just the place for you – set in the centre of the city in Park Elanza, it is a roof top restaurant and is a great place for a date or a match screening. With an open bar and seating arrangements as per your mood, the ambiance this place offers is stunning to say the least. With an extensive menu and amazing tasting food, anything you choose is a star. Their speciality, though, is seafood. Perfectly grilled shrimps with your favourite mock-tail/cocktail and the wind in your hair – the perfect picture painted for your perfect night!
The Bark – A paradise for pet lovers and foodies alike, this place allows you to have a hearty meal with your furry friends. The Bark is one of Chennai’s best restaurants that allows your pets and also has a few pups there for your to pet. Apart from the cuteness, they offer Continental, Mexican and Italian cuisine. Their pumpkin soup is out of the world, as is their juicy and finger licking good peri peri chicken. And don’t forget to order their steaks, which are juicy and perfectly done and are the best steaks Chennai has to offer. Head out here for a relaxed and joyful evening!
Kappa Chakka Kandhari- For all those fans of Omana penne and Hossana, this restaurant offers Kerala’s rich culinary heritage on a platter. Right from the ambiance depicting the whites and browns like the houses in Kerala, to the signature dishes passed down through generations, their appams and meen (fish varieties) are a must try. Choose the fish you want to eat from the tanks, and get it done the way you fancy it! Their steamed whole fish with lemon zest was tangy and full of flavours and goes perfectly well with steamed rice. With lvarious options on their menu, we will have to revisit t try out all of our favourites! While there, do not try to forget their Ammachi special menu to experience the best of Mallu food in Chennai!
China XO – What we love after our Indian cuisine is our neighbouring country’s food – Chinese. The very name reeks of noodles and fried rice aromas! For one of the most authentic restaurants serving Chinese food, head to China XO in Leela Palace. With crispy lotus stems and amazing range of dimsums, this restaurant offers an extensive menu of exotic dishes along with a set menu for the minimalistic eaters. Head out here to experience food coma!
Shyam’s Bombay Halwa House – An inconspicuous place in the heart of the city, Shyam’s Bombay Halwa house is definitely one of the best restaurants fro North Indian food in Chennai. With authentic parathas and varied paneer dishes, this place offers everything authentic. Their makki ki roti and sarson ka saag are lip smacking good, so is their tawa biriyani. Try their thalis or lassis, you will keep coming back for more!
Kefi – There are few restaurants in Chennai which offer authentic Lebanese and Moroccan cuisine. And one of the best among them offering a great ambiance and scrumptious food is Kefi in Taj Club House. A roof top restaurant with an artistic view of the city, serving your favourite fatoush and hummus, Kefi is definitely a must try restaurant for all the middle eastern food lovers. While there, do try their Hummus Bil Dijaj (Hummus with chicken) and Laham Barkook (Lamb cooked with prune sauce). Enjoy a memorable and breezy evening here and thank us later!
Murugan Idli Shop – As the name suggests, it started off as a shop selling idlis, however no just idlis but idlis with an amazing variety of chutneys. Murugan idli shop is known for its range of chutneys that go well with idlis, dosas and uthampams. Their podi idli and butter dosas are to die for as is their Sankara Pongal. With branches all over Chennai, this has become a landmark restaurant in Chennai. For those with the taste buds fro Madurai Jigarthanda, a few outlets of Murugan idli shop offers that too. With quick service and fresh food, this is a must try place for all South Indian food buffs!
The Summer House Eatery – Nestles in the corner of one of the most popular streets in Chennai, this quaint place offers mouthwatering continental food and desserts. Simple interiors, peaceful ambiance and delicious food make for a perfect evening with friends and family. TSHE offers small plates of Hummus and Olive crostini and Baked Filo pastry, which are their signature dishes and tasted absolutely heavenly. Their al-dente pasta and mouth-melting desserts are their USPs and do try their dessert crepes for some of the best ones in the city.
Tuscany Pizzeria – The craving for pizzas is real! Be it a movie night or a game night, all we want to order is pizza, sit back and let the cheese do the magic. Tuscany offers some of the best pizzas in Chennai,with varied options in both veg and non-veg. Tuscany also offers gluten free pizzas apart form the thin crusts and whole wheat attas. Apart from the awesome range of pizzas, they also offer pastas and all things Italian. Kids have a special menu too and their “Make your own pizza” is sure to attract a lot of young crowd. Do head there for the perfect pizza as per each of your preference!
Eating out is no longer a hunger quench, it has become a journey to enjoy and relish your taste buds and explore options you have never explored earlier. With most restaurants adhering to the safety protocols and sanitization processes, it is safe to say that eating out is safe again. Head out, choose your cuisine and have a memorable dining experience!