As the city eagerly embraces the monsoon, we also welcome a host of casual dining spots that offer a taste of regional cuisines and comfort food that’s high on flavour but easy on the wallet. Read on to discover your next new favourite haunt to head to when the munchies hit.
Bombaysthan, Nungambakkam
This vegetarian-only fast food outlet brings a slice of Mumbai’s culture and cuisine into the city. They offer classic Mumbai street snacks, especially sandwiches and rolls, all at pocket-friendly prices. We recommend the filling Paneer Bhaji Cheese Grill Sandwich (Rs 95) and Mayonnaise Veg Cheese Roll (Rs 95) that’s stuffed with onion, tomato and capsicum. We’re definitely planning a second trip just for their faloodas – we had a tough time choosing, but eventually went with the creamy Kulfi Falooda (Rs 145) and Kesar Falooda Cream (Rs 140). The Oreo Chocolate Milkshake (Rs 100) too makes for a nice accompaniment and is quite filling.
Price: Rs 400 for two
Timings: 10.30 am to midnight
Ali’s Biryani, T Nagar
This casual dining spot from the folks behind the popular Ali’s BBQ and Grill in T Nagar serves South Indian, North Indian and Mediterranean fare, but it’s their signature dishes that really shine. Stars of the menu include the Mutton Biryani with Dalcha (Rs 180) and Nattu Kozhi Idiyappam Biryani (Rs 150). Order a round of parottas to accompany their spicy Mutton Chukka Varuval (Rs 200), Lamb Chops (Rs 200), Vanjaram Meen Masala (Rs 200) and Kaadai Milagu Pirattal (Rs 180), a cauliflower pepper roast. The restaurant also serves a special unlimited meal (Rs 160) for lunch with over 17 dishes, and they have a live grill counter with non-vegetarian lunch and dinner buffets (Rs 562; Rs 625). The food comes excellently plated and service is snappy, plus they offer takeaways as well.
Price: Rs 800 for two
Timings: Noon to 3.30 pm and 7 pm to 11 pm
Haritam, Kilpauk
Spread across three levels, this new dining spot offers a beautiful ambience replete with a rooftop garden that makes for a good breakfast nook, as well as a floor available for private dining or parties. The focus of the menu here is primarily on South Indian cuisine – try their various vadas, idlis, and dosas for breakfast especially Podi Idly (Rs 95), Pongal (Rs 85), Sambar Vada (Rs 65) and Rava Masala Dosa (Rs 105). From the North Indian section of the menu, we recommend their Kaju Matar Paneer (Rs 180) and Malai Kofta Curry (Rs 180), accompanied by an indulgent Cheese Paratha (Rs 110). Round off your meal with the refreshing Honey and Fig ice cream (Rs 155).
Price: Rs 500 for two
Timings: 6.10 am to 11 pm
Bengali Fun Foods, Perungudi
This blink-and-you-miss-it kiosk opposite RMZ Millenia IT Park serves authentic, homely Bengali food. We’d suggest getting your order to go since the space is quite small and seating is limited. The compact menu offers VMF lunch options – we especially liked the Chicken Roll (Rs 85), Fish Cutlet (Rs 90), Luchi Chicken Kosha (Rs 70) and Chicken Moglai Parotha (Rs 120). But the highlight of our meal was the Fish Kabiraji (Rs 100) which was fluffy and crispy with fried egg and fillets of Bhetki inside, and the rich and perfectly cooked Chicken Kosha (Rs 50).
P.S.: They offer home delivery as well as monthly tiffin services.
Price: Rs 400 for two
Timings: 8 am to 11 pm
Puffers Cafe, Thuraipakkam
Despite having only recently opened, this all-day cafe has already begun to draw quite a crowd. Their Herbal Tea (Rs 90) and Jasmine Tea (Rs 80) are excellent and quite refreshing as is the Hot Chocolate (Rs 100). The menu is casual, with plenty of finger food such as the Special Non Veg Platter (Rs 170), with prawns, chicken, nuggets, fries and tortillas, and Crispy Fried Chicken (Rs 140). If you’re looking for something more substantial, they also serve a great Spaghetti Chicken (Rs 150) and Penne Arabiatta Pasta (Rs 140). They cafe’s also Wi-Fi-enabled, making it a good spot to work from as well.
Price: Rs 500 for two
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
As the city eagerly embraces the monsoon, we also welcome a host of casual dining spots that offer a taste of regional cuisines and comfort food that’s high on flavour but easy on the wallet. Read on to discover your next new favourite haunt to head to when the munchies hit.
Bombaysthan, Nungambakkam
This vegetarian-only fast food outlet brings a slice of Mumbai’s culture and cuisine into the city. They offer classic Mumbai street snacks, especially sandwiches and rolls, all at pocket-friendly prices. We recommend the filling Paneer Bhaji Cheese Grill Sandwich (Rs 95) and Mayonnaise Veg Cheese Roll (Rs 95) that’s stuffed with onion, tomato and capsicum. We’re definitely planning a second trip just for their faloodas – we had a tough time choosing, but eventually went with the creamy Kulfi Falooda (Rs 145) and Kesar Falooda Cream (Rs 140). The Oreo Chocolate Milkshake (Rs 100) too makes for a nice accompaniment and is quite filling.
Price: Rs 400 for two
Timings: 10.30 am to midnight
Ali’s Biryani, T Nagar
This casual dining spot from the folks behind the popular Ali’s BBQ and Grill in T Nagar serves South Indian, North Indian and Mediterranean fare, but it’s their signature dishes that really shine. Stars of the menu include the Mutton Biryani with Dalcha (Rs 180) and Nattu Kozhi Idiyappam Biryani (Rs 150). Order a round of parottas to accompany their spicy Mutton Chukka Varuval (Rs 200), Lamb Chops (Rs 200), Vanjaram Meen Masala (Rs 200) and Kaadai Milagu Pirattal (Rs 180), a cauliflower pepper roast. The restaurant also serves a special unlimited meal (Rs 160) for lunch with over 17 dishes, and they have a live grill counter with non-vegetarian lunch and dinner buffets (Rs 562; Rs 625). The food comes excellently plated and service is snappy, plus they offer takeaways as well.
Price: Rs 800 for two
Timings: Noon to 3.30 pm and 7 pm to 11 pm
Haritam, Kilpauk
Spread across three levels, this new dining spot offers a beautiful ambience replete with a rooftop garden that makes for a good breakfast nook, as well as a floor available for private dining or parties. The focus of the menu here is primarily on South Indian cuisine – try their various vadas, idlis, and dosas for breakfast especially Podi Idly (Rs 95), Pongal (Rs 85), Sambar Vada (Rs 65) and Rava Masala Dosa (Rs 105). From the North Indian section of the menu, we recommend their Kaju Matar Paneer (Rs 180) and Malai Kofta Curry (Rs 180), accompanied by an indulgent Cheese Paratha (Rs 110). Round off your meal with the refreshing Honey and Fig ice cream (Rs 155).
Price: Rs 500 for two
Timings: 6.10 am to 11 pm
Bengali Fun Foods, Perungudi
This blink-and-you-miss-it kiosk opposite RMZ Millenia IT Park serves authentic, homely Bengali food. We’d suggest getting your order to go since the space is quite small and seating is limited. The compact menu offers VMF lunch options – we especially liked the Chicken Roll (Rs 85), Fish Cutlet (Rs 90), Luchi Chicken Kosha (Rs 70) and Chicken Moglai Parotha (Rs 120). But the highlight of our meal was the Fish Kabiraji (Rs 100) which was fluffy and crispy with fried egg and fillets of Bhetki inside, and the rich and perfectly cooked Chicken Kosha (Rs 50).
P.S.: They offer home delivery as well as monthly tiffin services.
Price: Rs 400 for two
Timings: 8 am to 11 pm
Puffers Cafe, Thuraipakkam
Despite having only recently opened, this all-day cafe has already begun to draw quite a crowd. Their Herbal Tea (Rs 90) and Jasmine Tea (Rs 80) are excellent and quite refreshing as is the Hot Chocolate (Rs 100). The menu is casual, with plenty of finger food such as the Special Non Veg Platter (Rs 170), with prawns, chicken, nuggets, fries and tortillas, and Crispy Fried Chicken (Rs 140). If you’re looking for something more substantial, they also serve a great Spaghetti Chicken (Rs 150) and Penne Arabiatta Pasta (Rs 140). They cafe’s also Wi-Fi-enabled, making it a good spot to work from as well.
Price: Rs 500 for two
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm