Chennai city has many chain of restaurants and hotels that serves typical authentic foods. The specialty of the city is it also houses many famous street food corners and low cost eateries which every class of individuals can afford. The Nat Geo traveller magazine’s recognition which featured Chennai in top 10 cities for best food around the world is a testimony to the fact that Chennai is a true food city of India.
Though there are many new restaurants with different cuisines, there are number of authentic South Indian dishes that are all time famous and most preferred by people here.
Here, we will see some of the mouthwatering authentic dishes that you should ne’er miss in Chennai.
1. Idli
Idli is a very famous breakfast in Chennai which is prepared by the mix of rice and black gram flour. Idli is generally served with sambar and varieties of Chutneys.
Where to eat: Murugan Idli Kadai, A2B, Saravana Bhavan, Balaji Bhavan, Ratha Café, etc.
2. Vadai (or Vada)
Vadai is a deep fried delicious dish served in almost every hotels for breakfast. There are varieties of Vada like Medu vadai, Masala or Parupu vadai, sambar vadai, Thayir vadai, etc.
Where to eat: A2B, Saravana Bhavan, Balaji Bhavan, Ratha Café, Murugan Idli Kadai
3. Dosa
This delicious dish is prepared by the mix of rice and black gram flour and it’s one of the favorite food for many across the globe. There are varieties of Dosas like Masala Dosa, Onion Dosa, Ghee Dosa, Uthappam, etc.
Where to eat: A2B, Saravana Bhavan, Balaji Bhavan, Rathna cafe, Murugan Idli kadai, etc
4. Idiappam
Idiappam is a noodles like dish which is prepared by boiling rice flour in steam. Idiappam is often served with Sugar and coconut milk.
Where to eat: A2B, Saravana Bhavan, Balaji Bhavan, Rathna cafe, Murugan Idli Kadai
5. Paniyaram
Paniyaram is another authentic dish of Tamils that is cooked in a special vessel called as Paniyaram Pan. This yummy dish comes in 2 versions, sweet and spicy.
Where to eat: Murugan Idli Kadai, A2B
6. Pongal
Pongal is another common breakfast dish in Tamil Nadu which is served with chutney and sambar. This healthy dish is prepared using raw rice, Ghee, lot of pepper and nuts.
Where to eat: A2B, Saravana Bhavan, Balaji Bhavan, Rathna cafe, Murugan Idli kadai, etc.
7. Sakkarai Pongal
Sakkarai Pongal is another version of Pongal which is sweeter. it’s generally prepared for all festive seasons in Tamil Nadu. This dish is prepared using jaggery for sweetness.
Where to eat: A2B, Saravana Bhavan, Balaji Bhavan, Ratha Café, Murugan Idli Kadai
8. Koozhu or Koozh
This true authentic dish is known for its healthy and nutritious value. it’s a widely served dish in almost every Tamilian homes in olden days. This dish is mostly served in Pots and Glasses. you’ll find many street side vendors who still sell this in Chennai.
9. Thalapakkatti Biriyani
It is a variety of Biriyani which is commonly called as Dindigul Thalapakkatti Biriyani. This mouthwatering Biriyani is authentic to Tamil Nadu and it’s originated from an area known as Dindigul. The Dindigul Thalapakkatti Biriyani is served in many outlets across town that is also called by the same name. This Biriyani is best known for its unique flavored masala and it tastes all different from the regular Biriyanis.
Where to eat: Dindigul Thalapakkatti Briyani
10. Chicken 65 at Buhari
Chicken 65 is a deep fried chicken starter that was 1st introduced in hotel Buhari in the year 1965. Today, it’s {one of|one among|one in all|one amongst|one in every of} the most preferred chicken starter in almost every South Indian hotels.
Where to eat: Buhari, Anjappar, any other Chettinad Hotels
11. Plantain leaf Meals
Eating meals (lunch) in Plantain leaf (Banana leaf) is a tradition followed in Tamil Nadu. it’s a common practice where food is served in Plantain leaf for the relatives who are visiting their home. A typical Plantain leaf meal will have unlimited rice, varieties of Porials (Cooked Vegetables), Kuzhambu (Veg or non-veg gravy), Rasam (Pepper soup), Curd, more (Diluted curd with masala) and a sweet. although the tradition is to serve every meals in Plantain leaf but it’s very famous for lunch and many hotels in Chennai follow that.
Where to eat (Non Veg version): Ponnusamy, Anjappar, and any other Chettinadu Hotels
Where to eat (Veg version): Saravana Bhavan, A2B, Balaji Bhavan, Sangeetha, Rathna cafe, etc.
12. Parotta
Parotta is a common dish in every hotels in chennai. it’s prepared from Maida flour and it’s like a multi layered bread. though it’s not considered as healthy food, it’s one of the most selling dish due to its taste. Parotta is commonly served by Kuruma(or Chalna) or any other gravy. There are many varieties of Parotta like Veechu Parotta, Egg Parotta, Kothu Parotta, coin Parotta, etc.
Where to eat (For Non Veg): Buhari, Anjappar, and any other Chettinadu Hotels
Where to eat (For Veg): Saravana Bhavan, A2B, Balaji Bhavan, Sangeetha, Rathna cafe, etc.
13. Appam
Appam is another authentic food of Tamil Nadu that is made from specially grinded rice flour. This dish is commonly served with sweet coconut milk and also with spicy gravy. There are many sorts of Appam like, stuffed Appam, Chicken and Mutton stuffed Appam, etc. the most famous outlet that serves this dish is Nallas Appa Kadai.
Where to eat: Nallas Appa Kadai and many other Chettinadu Hotels
14. Jigarthanda
Jigarthanda or Jil Jil Jigarthanda is a famous refreshment drink originated from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. This delicious drink is prepared by mixing milk, nuts, Nannari Sarbath syrub and ice cream.
Where to eat: Murugan Idli Kadai
15. Kozhukattai
Kozhukattai is a famous snack prepared using rice flour and Poornam. Poornam is mixture of dhal and jaggery which is stuffed inside the layers of rice flour. This yummy dish is mostly prepared during Hindu festival times like Vinayagar Chaturthi, etc.
Where to eat: Saravana Bhavan, A2B, Balaji Bhavan, Sangeetha, Rathna cafe, etc.
16 . Filter coffee
Filter coffee is prepared by mixing boiled milk and decoction brewed from coffee powder through a special process. it’s generally served in Dabara set, that is a combination of silver tumbler (Glass) and a small bowl. the other famous filter coffee is Kumbakonam Degree coffee which is served in copper bowl.
Where to eat: Saravana Bhavan, A2B, Balaji Bhavan, Sangeetha, Rathna cafe, Kumbakonam Degree coffee outlets.
17. Puliyodarai
Puliyodarai or Tamarind rice is prepared by mixing rice with specially cooked tamarind paste. Puliyodarai is a common dish in Tamil Nadu and it’s mainly prepared for takeaway when people are travelling. This heavenly dish is also served every day in many temples in and around Tamil Nadu.
Where to eat: A2B, Saravana Bhavan, Balaji Bhavan, Vasantha Bhavan, Sangeetha
18. Karandi omelet and Kalakee
Karandi omelet is prepared through a special process where the egg is cooked using a karandi(a big spoon). The omelet can look like a ball which is commonly filled with Chicken or Mutton pieces. Kalakee is another version of half boiled (or Bulls eye) egg where the egg is blended on the cooking pan itself to make the yolk and egg white are mixed together.
Where to eat: Junior Kuppanna, Dindigul Thalappakatti
19. Meen Kuzhambu with Meen Varuval
Meen Kuzhambu is an authentic fish gravy ready by mixing distinctive masala and tamarind with fish. This gravy is best styled with boiled rice and it also taste heavenly with Idli and Dosa. Meen Kuzhambu with rice and cooked Fish(Meen Varuval) is a must try combination in Chennai.
Where to eat: All Chettinad Restuarants like Anjappar, Ponnusamy, etc
20. Karuvattu Kuzhambu
Karuvattu Kuzhambu is also a gravy prepared similar ingredients like Meen Kuzhambu but using a dried fish. Dried Fish are very famous in Tamil Nadu where the Fish are marinated with salt and dried under sun to store for future. This gravy is generally served with rice and it’s one of the common food in coastal Tamil Nadu. This dish is mostly not served in hotels and it’s best cooked at home.