It’s not just the rapid pace at which new restaurants, bars and cafes are popping up in Chennai, but also the variety of options. Food trends travel faster across the globe as the world becomes more connected and the dining scene in every Indian metro reflects this ‘global village’ more than ever. It’s not just the well-to-do in the city who are looking for more cutting-edge culinary options, restaurants and chefs are racking up air miles, looking for inspiration from their travels. Some of Chennai’s new dining hotspots are inspired by eureka moments while traveling to destinations as diverse as Istanbul and London. We rounded up some of the best new places you should check out in Chennai this weekend:
Here are the New Cafes and Restaurants in Chennai You Must Visit:
1. Hundreds of Bistros
Photo Credit: Hundred Bistro
After more than a decade of wowing diners in the booming city of Vellore between Chennai and Bengaluru, the owners of Hundreds Heritage have finally moved to Chennai’s swish Harrington Road neighborhood. This elegantly designed restaurant not only showcases the same bestsellers from Hundreds Heritage but brings a new approach to Indian cuisine without compromising on the authentic taste. The well-researched menu includes clever takes on Lucknow biryani and sinful seekh kababs. Stay for dessert – a spin on the classic tres leches cake built on a ras malai base.
Where: Harrington Road (Opp: Shoppers Stop)
2. Carnaby
The restaurant borrows its name from a busy street in London that is a hub for food and art. This was once High Street, a busy restaurant led by a buffet for lunch and dinner. Carnaby captures the same energy in an environment that is one of the most important shopping centers in Chennai. Carnaby aims to blend the charm of London with the ‘warm’ hospitality of Chennai. The new menu reflects the changing choices of Chennai’s gourmands with an emphasis on a la carte meals for different times of the day. Butternut squash tortellini and Valrhona chocolate brownie with basil ice cream are among the must-try dishes.
Venue: The Residency Towers, T Nagar
Also Read: Chennai Breakfast Trail: 15 Must-Visit Places In The City For Authentic Food
3. Gobbelin Kitchen and Cafe
Photo Credit: Gobbelin Kitchen and Cafe
Located in the Gandhi Nagar neighborhood, this all-day restaurant embraces Mexican and Mediterranean signatures. This vibrant cafe has bold colors and is envisioned as an inclusive neighborhood hangout to combine great food and coffee. The uncomplicated menu includes falafel pita meals, Mezze, Mexican tortilla meals, and pasta. Cold brews are a popular choice among Chennai’s ‘work from the cafe’ crowd. Gobbelin prides itself on the quality of its materials; the food is made from scratch daily with no artificial colors, preservatives or flavor enhancers.
Where: Ramachandra Adithanar Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar
4. Sunbean Cafe, Welcomhotel, Cathedral Road
This used to be Caf̩ Mercara, a 3am hangout for most Chennai fans in the 2000s. This is the hotel (the first ITC Hotel) that most Chennai oldies are nostalgic for and many return to the newly renovated hotel for this nostalgia. Sunbeam Caf̩ is a great place to catch up with old friends or have a business meeting (given its location in the heart of the CBD). The menu is simple Рusually burgers, sandwiches, desserts and shakes. But the setting Рoverlooking the pool, which makes it the perfect place for coffee and conversation.
Where: Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Cathedral Road
5. Pan Sauce Poetry
Even if you’re waiting for your Schengen visa to travel to Europe, you can get a taste of Europe at this quaint restaurant with a menu featuring dishes from other European countries you’ll be visiting this summer. Pan Sauce Poetry has just opened a new menu that celebrates the inimitable charm of typical European heat. From classic Gnudi from Tuscany to Souvlaki from Eastern Europe, think of this as a culinary tour through Europe.
Location: Jalan Utama II, RA Puram
6. Blooming Flowers
This famous Chennai cafe brand has just made its debut in a quiet corner of Anna Nagar neighborhood with a cozy cafe. The menu is positioned as a global culinary journey with a mix of comfort food and exotic signature dishes. The cafe is also introducing a unique volcano pizza with a fiery twist, served with melted cheese as part of its smoke and freeze promotion. Regulars also swear by the khao suey, lime chicken and tiramisu.
Where: J Block, Anna Nagar East
See also: Date Night Dining In Chennai: 10 Most Romantic Restaurants and Dining Places
