Experience the rich flavors of Kerala cuisine in authentic restaurants, where traditional spices and fresh ingredients create culinary delights that transport you to the serene backwaters of southern India. Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest cultural, economic, and educational centers in South India. Here are the best Kerala Cuisine restaurants in Chennai:
1.Ente Keralam
With two branches, Ente Keralam is the most popular Malayali restaurant in Chennai. They host Malayali festivals and also employ visiting chefs from Kerala often. They have an extensive menu including all the truly authentic dishes from Kerala. Some of the best-sellers include Palada Payasam, Meen Manga Curry, Kappa Vevichathu, and Cauliflower Kurumulakittathu.
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2.That Mallu Joint
It is a family friendly restaurant that specializes in serving Kerala specialties. The ambiance is calming with the all-wood furnishings. It also has valet parking. All the dishes are served on banana leaves. The best-sellers are Kandhari Paneer, Red Rice Puttu, Naadan Pachakari Curry, Kozhi Mulakittathu, and Meen Varuthathu.
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3.Kappa Chakka Kandhari
Kappa Chakka Kandhari focuses on modernizing the staple home cooked Kerala food. They introduce a special combo menu for Vishu every year with a variety of dishes. The customer’s favorite dish is Kappa Vevichathu and Kudampuliyitta Fish Curry which is mashed tapioca cooked in coconut masala, served alongside fish cooked with kodampuli. The cooking process is done in an earthen pot and hence it makes the flavors stand out.
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4.Nair Mess
Nair Mess is a prominent location in Triplicane. They have been offering traditional South Indian food since 1961. They use imported coconut oil which enhances the taste of all their dishes and transports you to Kerala. The Kappa and Meen Curry is an absolute must-try. If you are a beginner to Kerala cuisine, this is the place to start.
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5.Kuttanadu Restaurant
This restaurant serves Kerala cuisine in an all-day dining fashion. It is also decorated with pictures depicting Kerala’s boating culture. They are famed for their non-vegetarian dishes from chicken, mutton, and beef to a variety of fish-based dishes. Their spongy appams are the perfect accompaniment to any meal and they are priced at just ₹14.
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6.Kumarakom
With four branches in Chennai, it is another popular restaurant named after the village located on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. They offer various South Indian delicacies and certain Indo-Chinese treats too. The Kappa Biryani which brings together succulent tapioca and beef in a delicious spicy biryani and garnished with onions is a must-try.
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7.Kairali Kerala Mess
The modest ambiance is adorned with Kathakali elements. They take pride in serving home style Kerala meals using traditional cooking methods. Their juicy, flavorful beef dishes ranging from Beef Ularthiyathu, Beef Chukka, and Beef Roast to Beef Semi Gravy, Syrian Beef, Beef Curry, and Chilli Beef are a huge customer favorite.
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8.The Malayalee Club
The Malayalee Club founded by some of the prominent Malayalees of Chennai, is a symbol of traditional and heritage of Keralites since 1897. It includes a hotel and a restaurant, and promotes the lifestyle of Kerala. Some of the best-sellers include Karandi Omelette, Nadan Mutton Curry, Club Special Kozhi Porichathu, and Koon Kurumulegu. They also offer various set meal options.
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9.Mishwar
Mishwar is a continental restaurant serving a large variety of dishes from around the world. They specialize in offering Kerala cuisine. The interiors feature contemporary decor and fancy light fixtures. The best-sellers include Malabar Prawns Biryani, Elaneer Pudding, Fish Manchurian, Ghee Rice with Mutton Chettinadu Gravy, and Meen Mappas.
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10.Kottayam Cafe
Kottayam is a classic Kerala cuisine restaurant serving delicious dishes. They are known for their breakfast options, especially the varieties of puttu such as ragi puttu, chemba puttu, beef puttu, and chicken puttu. The best-sellers include Kottayam Style Fish Curry, Beef Ularthiyathu, Pepper Beef Dry, Kappa Puzhuku, and Ginger Chicken Gravy.
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11.Grand Kerala Resto
It is a humble Kerala cuisine restaurant. They are famed for their huge assortment of fish, from Killimeen, Chemmeen, and Neymeen, to Catla, Ayala, and Avoli, they have everything. The Chicken Pothichoru meal comprising hot brown rice, chicken fry, chicken roast, egg omelet, sambar, thoran, moru, and pappadam, wrapped in a banana leaf is the most ordered item on the menu.
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12.Malabar Kitchen
It is a quaint eatery serving lip smacking Kerala food. The interior is decorated with the pictures of the food making it more enticing. The menu features plenty of classics, however they are famed for their firewood house biryani and around eight combo offers. The best-sellers include Idiyappam with Egg Curry, Crab Lollipop, Seer Fish, Kallum Akkai Fry, and Kozhi Porichathu.
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13.Hotel Crescent
With four outlets in Chennai, Hotel Crescent is a branded name known for offering Arabian, Chinese, Chettinad, and South Indian cuisine. They are famed for offering varieties of flaky Kizhi Parotta and unique seafood fare. Their Karimeen Pollichathu is the ultimate Kerala specialty and is an absolute must-try.
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14.Dakshin
Dakshin serves a broad assortment of dishes from Indian cuisine. The menu features separate sections for each state, such as Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and more. The interior is bright and inviting with a regal charm. Concerning Kerala based dishes, their Meen Moilee is a show stopper. Pair it with some Avial and a serving of rice and you have the perfect Kerala comfort meal.
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15.Gossip Fusion
Gossip is a continental eatery serving delicious Kerala and Italian cuisine. The interiors are decorated with pop art and music based decorations, making it lively and eye-catching. Just as their name states, all the dishes have a western twist. Their Nadan Kozhi Curry made from coconut oil, coconut milk, fresh Kerala sourced spices, and tender chicken is an absolute must-try.
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16.Achayathis
Achayathis is an authentic Kerala cuisine restaurant. Each item on their menu comes from Kerala’s cultural roots. The walls are adorned with illustrations depicting ancient Kerala. The extensive menu features snacks, starters, curries, kappa, pothi choru, puttu, desserts, and many more. They also offer a different payasam flavor every day in a week.
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17.Layalee
Layalee specializes in serving Arabian, Indian, and Chinese cuisine. It is the perfect place for lunch with large gatherings or events. They are renowned for their wide range of smoky barbecue and tandoor offerings. The best-sellers include Fish Masala, Black Pepper Chicken, Mixed Tawa Platter, Prawn Sizzler, and Fish Pomfret Barbecue.
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18.Kanji Kadai
Kanji Kadai is located at OMR Food Street. It is an all-day dining and serves scrumptious Keralan food. They are famed for their extensive variety of seafood offerings. The signature item in their menu is the grandma style kanji, available in different flavors such as payar, keerai, and thairu. They also offer combo meals for lunch and dinner.
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19.Kaveri Mess
Kaveri Mess is one of the best home style eateries in Chennai. It offers delicious Kerala and Chettinad cuisine. The menu features all the classics from both the cuisines. Some of the best-sellers include Puttu with Kadala Curry, Ayra Meen Kuzhambu, Boneless Crab Fry, Mutton Kari Dosai, and Idiyappam with Aatu Kaal Paaya.
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20.Pallavas
Pallavas is the perfect South Indian restaurant featuring a huge menu that includes the specialties from each state. The dishes are made from locally sourced and imported ingredients using passed down techniques to achieve the authenticity. They are famed for offering various thaalis each dedicated to each state, and one thaali encompassing the flavors of the entire South.
Locations: Get Direction
