Do you want to start your day in Chennai on a delicious note? We have brought you a list of some breakfast places that you must try. Read on.
There are very few cities where you can watch the sunrise on the beach and then head straight for a scrumptious breakfast. While Chennai breakfast specialties usually include piping hot idlis or crispy dosas and a freshly made cup of invigorating filter coffee, the city’s breakfast fare goes far beyond these stereotypes. Whether you are looking for a flat white or a degree coffee (aka filter coffee) or you want to start your day with a Pongal vadai or eggs benedict, we have got you covered.
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Photo Courtesy: Madras Pavilion, ITC Grand Chola
12 places for breakfast in Chennai that you must try:
1. Krishna Restaurant, New Woodlands Hotel:
The first wave of restaurants in Chennai was started by entrepreneurs who migrated from Udupi to coastal Karnataka. They introduced Chennai to the Udupi-style masala dosa. New Woodlands is one of the leading makers of Udupi-style breakfasts adapted to Chennai’s taste buds. Try their filter coffee and a variety of dosas. You can also check out Mathsya and Ashoka Hotel (both in Egmore) for more Udupi flavours.
Where: Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore
2. Food cycle:
Want to get a taste of Bengaluru (including a slightly sweeter sambar) in Chennai? Head straight to Eating Circles. From crispy and fail-proof masala dosa (dosa in Bengaluru) to crunchy maddur vada and MTR-style rava idlis, this restaurant has it all.
Location: CP Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet
3. Sangeetha:
One of the best places to have a Chennai style breakfast. We are fond of their RA Puram and Adyar outlets. Their Pongal Vadai and filter coffee is great and so is their range of grainy Idlis and Dosas. But most of all is the range of side dishes they serve – their Sambar and Chutneys never miss the mark. You can also check out the A2B (Adyar Anand Bhavan) outlets across the city for Chennai style breakfast.
Location: Third Cross Road, RA Puram
4. Pumpkin Stories:
Run by three female entrepreneurs, this cheerful space with plenty of natural light is a great place to start your day. It’s hard to get a table on Sundays, when regulars come in for their eggs Benedict variety, power smoothies, and morning glory bowls.
Location: Bheemanna Garden Street
Photo Credit: Pumpkin Stories
5. Madras Pavilion, ITC Grand Chola:
It is difficult to choose your favourite breakfast buffet at a luxury hotel in Chennai. Madras Pavilion stands out for its perfect mix of international favourites, healthy options and the best of the South Indian section. There are also very few luxury hotels in Chennai that serve filter coffee and idlis.
Location: ITC Grand Chola, Mount Road
6. Ciclo Cafe:
If you are heading to Mamallapuram or Pondicherry from the beach (on East Coast Road) early in the morning, then Ciclo Cafe is a great choice for you. From hash browns to sausages and waffles to French toast, the menu has a variety of international options and if you are looking for a wholesome breakfast to start your day, then you can also enjoy parathas.
Location: PVR Heritage RSL, East Coast Road, Uthandi
Photo Credit: Ciclo Cafe
7. Geetham Veg Restaurant:
A popular vegetarian dining spot offering a wide variety of South Indian cuisine as well as North Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes, Geetam Veg Restaurant is known for its delicious and authentic flavours. The menu includes dishes like Idli Sambar, Masala Dosa, Paneer Tikka, Falooda and Ghee Roast. A clean ambiance, cheerful staff and professional service, it ensures a high-quality dining experience!
Where: Gopithi Narayanaswamy Chetty Road, T. Nagar
8. Mari Hotel:
Though it is not easy to find and is located in the busy area of Saidapet where parking is almost impossible, this simple restaurant serves one of the most famous breakfasts of Chennai – vada curry (a mixture of lentils in a tasty gravy), which goes very well with dosa. You can also stop at Mamalla Motel on ECR near Mamallapuram for vada curry.
Location: VS Mudali Street, Saidapet
9. Ratna Cafe:
A well-established and popular restaurant chain in Chennai, Ratna Cafe serves delicious South Indian cuisine like Idli Sambar, Uttapam, Ghee Masala Dosa and more. With a simple, no-fuss vibe with professional service, the place exudes a relaxed and friendly ambiance. With an extremely affordable menu, the place is known to be a favourite spot for locals and tourists alike!
Location: Triplicane High Road, Triplicane
10. Chamiers Cafe Chennai:
It has one of the most developed cafe cultures in the country. Chamiers Cafe near the swish Boat Club area is one example. The charming interiors can transport you to an English tea room in colonial Madras. There’s a ‘fully fried’ English breakfast with bacon and sausages and all-day breakfast options that include waffles, a vegetarian Spanish breakfast and an antioxidant power breakfast to energise you.
Where: Chamiers Road
11. Hotel Safari:
While you might associate Chennai breakfast with vegetarian dishes, the city also has a number of old-fashioned restaurants that serve the city’s favourite non-vegetarian dishes. Safari Hotel in the Royapettah area serves popular dishes like egg appam, idiyappam (string hoppers) with attukal paya (trotters) and delicious chicken curry.
Location: Royapettah High Road.
12. Rayar Mess:
Known for its South Indian breakfast, the long-standing Reyar’s restaurant is all about simplicity and flavour! Though the restaurant can accommodate a few people at a time, the menu is packed with dishes like idli-podi, pongal-sambar and crispy vadas. The place is a group, communal dining experience with friendly staff, so you should definitely visit here!
Where: Madhavaperumalapuram, Mylapore
13. Murugan Idly Shop
Murugan Idli Shop is a culinary destination, famous for its delicious South Indian breakfast and snacks. This eatery has become synonymous with the best idli experience. The shop is famous for its soft idlis, crispy dosas and a wide range of chutneys and sambhars that perfectly complement these dishes. Offering a truly authentic and rich culinary experience, Murugan Idli Shop has garnered a loyal customer base for its simple ambiance and prompt service!
Where:
14. Karthik Tiffin Centre
Karthik Tiffin Center is a great place for lovers of authentic South Indian cuisine. Known for its affordable and delicious offerings, this tiffin center serves a wide range of traditional dishes including idlis, dosas, vadas and pongal. With a cozy and welcoming ambiance and quick and friendly service, it is definitely a crowd favorite. If you are looking for a quick and filling breakfast, Karthik Tiffin Center is the place to be!
Where: Kurinji Colony, Anna Nagar
15. Matsya
Famous for its extensive menu of North and South Indian cuisine, Mathasya is an iconic vegetarian eatery located in the heart of the city and is renowned for its great ambiance and exceptional service, making it a preferred choice for family gatherings and special occasions. The restaurant serves a wide variety of dishes, from aromatic biryanis and rich curries from North India to spicy rasams and crispy dosas from the South. Mathasya’s dedication to quality and authenticity is evident in every bite!
Location: Thanikachalam Road, T. Nagar, Chennai
notes
About Ashwin RajagopalanI am a famous slashie – a content architect, writer, speaker and cultural intelligence coach. School lunch boxes are usually the start of our culinary discoveries. This curiosity hasn’t waned. It has even grown stronger as I have explored culinary cultures, street food and fine eateries across the world. I have discovered cultures and destinations through culinary motifs. I am equally passionate about writing on consumer technology and travel.