When in Chennai: Dining Guide

Fresh produce at The Farm (Image: Ruksana Hussain)

Annual visits to see family in Chennai means not only delicious food at home but also some great spots to dine out any time of day and in any part of the city. Regional preparations aside, there’s a plethora of pan-Indian, pan-Asian, and other global cuisines to choose from. Here’s a smattering from the last visit home in no specific order but keep checking back for more updates. 

Casual and cozy meals served at The Farm. (Image: Ruksana Hussain)

The Farm Chennai
Located on Old Mahabalipuram Road, or OMR as the locals call it, this a working farm with a restaurant and store on-site. You can’t miss the cows and some of the veggie gardens as you enter. The restaurant is a charming outdoor spot, casual, and well-frequented. There is a changing menu and this spot uses ingredients as much as possible from their own produce haul. Weekends can get busy here so definitely reserve a spot. Tried a mix of plates and enjoyed everything. The thali pictured was a Goan edition but unsure if it is served all the time. Picked up some coffee, toffee, other desserts, and cheeses from the store. You might find some farm-fresh veggies too depending on what’s in season when you visit. 

The carrot halwa impressed. (Image: Ruksana Hussain)

Origami The Asian Bar
Stopped by here to meet a friend for lunch when it had just opened so didn’t experience the full menu. Afternoons seem to be a tad bit calmer, the weekends and evenings are more the times to visit here. Some fun cocktails and a pan-Asian influenced menu are on offer so you could be dining on a few different cuisines at one time. That said, am featuring the carrot halwa here as it really was well made and a somewhat surprising find. This is located inside the Green Meadows Resort which has another restaurant called Bayroot on-site so might be worth trying both when you can. 

Thali style lunch at Paati Veedu. (Image: Ruksana Hussain)

Paati Veedu
This translates to Grandma’s home, so you know from the start to expect traditional South Indian cuisine. The restaurant is in the heart of T.Nagar and serves only vegetarian options. They are open for lunch and dinner though I stopped by for lunch. The options were a 5, 7, or 9 course meal and I believe I just chose the 5 course being unsure of the portions served. I did enjoy the bright yellows and greens the whole place is painted in. Food is served thali style as you see in the picture, and it was well-portioned for an individual to enjoy. Not pictured are a few other items served before and after the meal. I like the little shop located outside that offers several sweet and savory offerings made fresh daily. These are great snacks and make for some lovely gifts to take home.

Chicken saagwala at Hundreds Bistro was it! (Image: Ruksana Hussain)

Hundreds Bistro
This restaurant is on Harrington Road and happened to be an easy lunch choice as I was in the area. This is more contemporary Indian cuisine and has an extensive menu. Tried some of the kababs and chapli and loved it but the chicken saagwala pictured here was the star. The parathas not pictured here were perfectly soft and buttery and destructed in seconds when they arrived hot and inviting. I also tried some of the refreshing mocktails and enjoyed the flavor profiles. Wood-fired oven on-site means fresh breads, pizzas, and other doughy creations arrive piping hot and in minutes. Would love to head back and try a few more items on the menu. 

Hope you enjoyed this little review and found it helpful. Let me know your experience if you go. If you enjoyed reading this post, then hit that coffee cup at the bottom of your screen to support my work. I pen these articles from my own experiences and share information that might assist in planning a better visit for you. If you liked this post, then check out some of the other Chennai posts or Restaurant Reviews on the the site.

Author

Ruksana Hussain is the publisher and editor of Traveler and Tourist digital magazine, author of Around the World in Los Angeles, and award-winning journalist and writer at RH Media Consulting. Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook or through the Contact Form.