It’s time for your taste buds to experience the best food items of Chennai! Take a look at the best places to eat in Chennai during your 2-day trip to the southernmost metro city of India. Know about the best cuisines to try along with their respective food joints in the city.
Chennai isn’t just the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu; it’s a vibrant mix of culture and cuisine that is a paradise of flavours. When you think of traditional food, the city is enveloped by filter coffee, sambar, rasam, and a blend of Indian spices. There is so much more to the city than the stereotypical idli sambar; there is a variety of cuisines, coastal delicacies, and a rising café culture. If you are in town for just two days, this will help you experience Chennai one delicious dish at a time.
Day 1 – Traditional Flavours & South Indian Staples
Breakfast at Andhikkadai, Velachery
Start your day with an amazing classic South Indian breakfast. Head to the infamous Andhikkadai, which specialises in both traditional and fusion food. They offer wholesome, nutritious South Indian dishes that are extremely flavourful. Don’t miss their Valapu Vadai and a cup of filter coffee served in a traditional copper da bara set that will delight you.
Refreshing Morning Walk at Besant Nagar Beach
After breakfast, head to Besant Nagar beach for a refreshing morning walk. The beach is quiet in the mornings, with joggers, dog walkers, and early risers soaking in the sea. Stop for a fresh and chilled elaneer (tender coconut water) during your walk. The Chennai heat can be as intense as that of Jaipur or Delhi, and nothing cools you down like this. Ask the vendor for “Valukai Thenga” (young coconut flesh), which will taste heavenly. Is this a good time to visit Chennai? From November to March, the weather is cooler and more pleasant for sightseeing.
Lunch at Erode Amman Mess, Adyar / Rayar’s Mess
Depending on your craving, you can take your pick. For a traditional vegetarian meal, head to Rayar’s Mess in Mylapore, which has been around since the 1940s. They serve homely Tamil Nadu-style meals on a banana leaf with hot sambar, rasam, kootu, and poriyal with white rice topped with ghee that enhances the taste, finishing with a sweet payasam.
But if you are in the mood for a non-vegetarian feast, head to Erode Amman Mess, known for its spicy and flavourful meat dishes. You should definitely try their Nattu kozhi kuzhambu, mutton chukka, kalakki, and fish fry. Served alongside white rice or parotta, it’s a lunch that fills both your stomach and your heart. Where to eat in Chennai for an authentic meal? Rayar’s Mess is a must-visit.
Temple Visit & Coffee Break
After lunch, explore the Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Then head to Karpagambal Mess for another round of filter coffee and rava kesari (semolina sweet).
Sowcarpet Snacks
Sowcarpet is Chennai’s Old Delhi, a North Indian food street. You can find a variety of snacks such as chaats, badam milk, and kesar jalebis sizzling in ghee. Definitely try Kakada Ramprasad, quite famous for their chaats in Chennai; their kesar badam is top-notch. Follow it up with a refreshing rose milk at Kalathi Rose Milk Shop in Mylapore, a local favourite since the 1950s.
Nightcap at Tinnai Mess
Tinnai Mess serves some of the best South Indian food in the city. From their authentic soup to delicious karupati halwa, everything is spot on. The dinner combo is a must-try for an amazing dining experience.
Day 2: Coastal Delights and Café Hopping
English Breakfast at Pumpkin Tales
Start your day with an English breakfast at Pumpkin Tales, a café in Alwarpet loved for its menu, minimalist interiors, and feel-good vibes. They have something for everyone, whether you’re into hearty or healthy. You can pair your meal with their freshly brewed coffee or hot chocolate with a hint of spice. It’s a peaceful escape before diving into your day.
Heritage Walks with a Street Snack
Take a walk around St. George and explore the lanes of Georgetown. Grab a street-side bajji on the go to keep your spirits alive.
Coastal Delights
Coastal Delights, a premium seafood restaurant with chic, coastal-themed interiors, awaits your coastal food cravings. You can choose your fresh catch, and have it cooked your way—grilled, masala fried, or in a curry. Their seafood thali, meen kuzhambu (fish gravy), and prawn ghee roast are crowd favourites. This is ideal for anyone seeking a Chennai travel package rich in cultural flavours.
Coffee & Shopping
With a boutique, bookstore, and lovely garden café, Wild Gardencafe perfect for those wondering how to spend meaningful time in Chennai.
Dinner at Hotel Buhari
The restaurant has a nostalgic charm with its comfortable and unpretentious dining atmosphere. Some of the signature dishes include chicken 65, mutton biriyani, mutton samosa, and Jamali chicken. Buhari Hotel is famous for its non-vegetarian offerings, but it also provides a selection of vegetarian dishes to cater to diverse palates.
Chennai isn’t just a destination — it’s an experience enriched with every bite and every street you walk down. From the quiet comfort of café breakfasts in Alwarpet to spicy street eats at Elliot’s Beach, this city invites you to slow down and savour. Whether you’re wandering through the cultural lanes of Mylapore or sipping fresh elaneer by the sea, there’s something grounding and unforgettable about life here. If you’ve been wondering how to make the most of your time or how to spend 2 days in Chennai, let food be your guide!
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