Pal kova, thattu idli and murukku sandwich – are you drooling yet? Those are the names of the snack foods that are commonly available in any street in Madras. The top and classic dishes you must try on food trails in Chennai would be the ubiquitous Idli/Dosa breakfast, a filter coffee to quench the thirst of a hot day, and pakodas and bajjis you will find on every street. But besides these classics, if you’re looking to try food that roots back to many communities in Chennai and is served with a fistful of spicy stories, embark on a journey of discovering food trails in Chennai.
While you’re here, you are bound to encounter stories of people and their passion for food, and of recipes that to this day remain jealously guarded secrets. You could go on a walk through the streets of Sowcarpet where you can sample the best of local food. You will see how a morsel of food could hide a million pointers to the way of life of a people. Chennai’s food is often summarised in just three dishes but the truth is that it embraces foods and delicacies from across the state and across communities with the same enthusiasm. The flavours of this city change constantly but while discovering the food trails in Chennai, the old gems, are the ones that ground you and leave your taste buds tingling. As you move across the city, you will come across many old gems like pakodas and biryani and land up visiting some off-beat places. Come and discover the hidden food gems if you love a foodie adventure, and make sure you visit with an empty stomach!
If you’ve come so far, be sure to take these recommendations seriously. The meals and dishes mentioned at the places are not only light on the pocket but area hearty, spicy and filled with years' worth of love and attention.
Founded in the year 1952 by Amsavalli Ammal, this food joint continues to be a staple in many people’s diets. Amsavalli Ammal began this venture with her husband Gopal Pillai to bring quality non-vegetarian food with the best ingredients and at low cost to everybody. The dish they are famous...
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This bakery has stood on the streets of Chennai for 136 years. The founder, Ponnuswamy N, of Sadaraspattinam started Smith Field in the heart of Madras in 1885 with a vision to make it synonymous with quality baked goods that is accessible to everybody. Since then, Smith Field has served...
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Founded by Kattiyan Chettiyar, the first inheritance hotel in Chettinad, this hotel and the property it is built on, has been with the family for almost 105 years. Located in Parktown, the heart of Chennai city, this hotel dedicates itself to keeping the authentic Chettinad cuisine alive combined with the...
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Founded in the year 1952 by Amsavalli Ammal, this food joint continues to be a staple in many people’s diets. Amsavalli Ammal began this venture with her husband Gopal Pillai to bring quality non-vegetarian food with the best ingredients and at low cost to everybody. The dish they are famous...
Read more
This bakery has stood on the streets of Chennai for 136 years. The founder, Ponnuswamy N, of Sadaraspattinam started Smith Field in the heart of Madras in 1885 with a vision to make it synonymous with quality baked goods that is accessible to everybody. Since then, Smith Field has served...
Read more
Founded by Kattiyan Chettiyar, the first inheritance hotel in Chettinad, this hotel and the property it is built on, has been with the family for almost 105 years. Located in Parktown, the heart of Chennai city, this hotel dedicates itself to keeping the authentic Chettinad cuisine alive combined with the...
Read more
Located beside the Bay of Bengal, Chennai in Tamil Nadu is known for its long stretches of golden beaches, backwaters, gentle winding rivers and serene lakes that contrast sharply with the hustle and bustle of the city. If you have a passion for water sports, this coastal region draws you in with the promise of exhilarating experiences on the shores of South India as you explore the gleaming waters that border the city.
Watersports in Chennai are still in its nascent stage as this capital is primarily a fishing and port city, and scuba diving is not conducted here. The large amount of fishing activities nearby makes the water cloudy and visibility is low, so this can make it hard to see the gorgeous ocean bed that lies beneath. However, watersports in Chennai finds its heart in Pondicherry just 165 km away. So if you’re up for a road trip, hop into a car or bus and drive down to this picturesque Union Territory that is home to spectacular dive sites such as Aravind’s Wall, Four Corners, Temple Reef and The Hole.
If you’re still itching for watersports in Chennai that are being conducted closer than Pondicherry, don’t be discouraged just yet! Surfing has taken off thanks to a small group of surfing enthusiasts that are excited to ride atop the waves of the Bay of Bengal with you. If you’re new to surfing, you can take up one of the courses at the surfing schools in Covelong and also make friends with local surfers in the region.
Give your love for water a brand new twist by dipping into a world of watersports!
Traditional South Indian hospitality puts the guest first, ensuring that all their needs are met, from cooking food that will match their preferences, to setting up rooms that give you a peaceful, cozy slumber under the inky black sky. The Homestays in Chennai give you a taste of the hospitality Tamil Nadu is famous for and leaves you feeling relaxed as you turn on your vacation mode and forget about hectic work schedules or responsibilities at home.
Homestays in Chennai bring out the wonderful simplicity and comfort of living in an authentic Tamilian home. Why head out to a restaurant when you can relish the dishes Chennai is known for, made by your hosts who have lived there their whole lives? Sink your teeth into Idli and Sambhar, Dosa, Uttapams or delicious banana Paniyarams, flavoured with the spices that are well known in the region and give the cuisine a unique taste.
The homestays in Chennai also give you a chance to learn about this lovely coastal city with stories from your hosts to regale you during the long evenings. As a bonus, you’ll also get the insiders scoop on the best sightseeing spots, eateries and beaches to visit during your stay! Immerse yourself in homely hospitality at one of these lovely, spacious bungalows.
We work hard to afford the finer things in life and vacations are the best time to splurge on ourselves. We all need a little bit of pampering before we return back to juggling household responsibilities and busy work schedules. The resorts in Chennai offer you a slice of luxury in the coastal city that is bordered by the majestic Bay of Bengal, tempting you with golden beaches, waving palm trees and delicious South Indian food.
There are a variety of resorts in Chennai that are conveniently located in the best parts of this lovely beachside region. Stay at a resort perched near the beach and take in the sun as it dips below the horizon creating a spectacular beach sunset right outside your window! You could even snooze your nights away at a more homely resort that fits in your budget while providing luxury amenities such as fitness centers and an in-house restaurant for you to further enjoy your stay in the ‘Detroit of India’.
The capital of Tamil Nadu is known for its sweltering, humid heat that can make it tough to walk its street during the day. The resorts in Chennai offer luxurious pools complete with lounge chairs for you to lean back and relax before exploring the cultural hubs of the city.
Make your way to Chennai and stay in one of its beautiful resorts to relax and rejuvenate under the blue skies of Tamil Nadu.
When it comes to dream vacations, most of us picture ourselves on the golden sands of a beach, sprawled out on a lounge chair just inches from blue sparkling waves and refreshing drinks with little umbrellas being brought to us as we relax. The beach resorts in Chennai make your dream a reality by offering you sumptuous stays, complete with swimming pools and spas that help you unwind beside the majesty of the ocean.
After spending your days exploring the cultural hubs of this coastal capital, sink into fluffy white beds and order room service before taking an afternoon siesta. The beach resorts of Chennai give you lovely seaside balconies and without moving from your room, you can catch a glimpse of the stunning sunsets as the sky turns flaming shades of orange, pink and soft yellow. With private beach access, you can build sandcastles on the shore or take a long dip without being hassled by crowds of tourists and make memories with your loved ones.
Wish you could stay at the beach in your own little cottage? The beach resorts in Chennai have enchanting cottages complete with your own living room, outdoor sit out areas to take in the vistas of the ocean and a fully equipped kitchen in case you want to whip up your own tasty meals and relish it by having a picnic on the shore.
After all, what’s the point of visiting a coastal region if you can’t see the azure ocean as soon as you wake up?
Located on the Bay of Bengal, this beautiful seaside capital draws you in with its vibrant, energetic South Indian culture. Chennai in Tamil Nadu is more than its iconic Marina beach and for tourists ready to discover the many shades of their travel destination, it can open up hidden secrets that will enrich your journey to this coastal region.
With long golden beaches, seaside markets filled with fish sellers calling out their wares in cheerful voices, stone temples embedded with rock art and majestic sculptures, and food that carries with its flavours, the taste of this state; sightseeing in Chennai will leave you spellbound.
Travel to the multi-domed Thousand Lights Mosque, a place of religious worship that lights up the surrounding area with different neon lights so that you feel like you’re looking at a sparkling gem. Sightseeing in Chennai isn’t complete without making your way to the one-of-a-kind Marina Beach, the longest beach in India and one of the longest in the world. Slurp on an ice-cream cone sold beachside and take in the blues of the ocean, as its waves crash gently onto the shore.
Other great spots for sightseeing in Chennai include Elliot’s Beach, Dakshinachitra, Ashtalakshmi Temple, Valluvar Kottam and for film lovers, MGR Film City! The list goes on and its going to be tough to fit all the spectacular wonders of Chennai in this page, but we’re going to try our best.
Scroll through our list of the top places to visit in Chennai and discover the tiny special elements about it that make these spots a must visit.
The capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is a beautiful coastal city perched next to the majestic Bay of Bengal. With a rich history and culture, the ‘Detroit of India’, was added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network list for its rich musical traditions and walking through its long winding roads unveils houses boasting of traditional South Indian lifestyles that have been kept in place for decades.
The heritage tours in Chennai takes you through the past of this vibrant city and its impact on its present. From touching upon food such as the Mulligatawny Soup which originated in Chennai and became a global favorite during the British colonial rule to taking you through Alamparai Fort, Valluvar Kottam, the Government Museum and more, the heritage tours in Chennai reveal the heart and soul of this urban hub in Tamil Nadu.
When we visit a region, we often enjoy things as they are rather than learning about how it came about. The heritage tours in Chennai offer you a chance to look below the surface of this enchanting seaside city so that your travel experiences are more satisfying and fulfilling.
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