There are not too many cities where you can catch a sunrise at the beach and then head straight for a massive breakfast. While those images of a quintessential Chennai breakfast usually involve piping hot idlis or crispy dosas and a freshly brewed cup of invigorating filter coffee, the city's breakfast scene goes beyond those cliches. Whether you're looking for a flat white or a degree coffee (aka filter coffee) or whether you want to start your day with a pongal vadai or an Eggs Benedict, we have you covered.
Photo Credit: Madras Pavillion, ITC Grand Chola
12 Must-Try Breakfast Places In Chennai:
1. Krishna Restaurant, New Woodlands Hotel:
One of the first waves of restaurants in Chennai was sparked by entrepreneurs who moved from Udupi to coastal Karnataka. They introduced Chennai to the Udupi-style Masala dosa. New Woodlands is one of the flagbearers of Udupi-style breakfast staples that have been adapted to the Chennai palate. Try their filter coffee and a wide range of dosas. You can also check out Mathsya and Ashoka Hotel (both in Egmore) for more Udupi flavours.
Where: Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore
2. Eating Circles:
Need a taste of Bengaluru (including the slightly sweeter Sambar) in Chennai? then head straight to Eating Circles. From the crispy and fail-proof Masala dosa (dose in Bengaluru) to the crunchy Maddur Vada and the MTR-style Rava idli, this restaurant has it all.
Where: CP Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet
3. Sangeetha's:
One of the best spots for a Chennai-style breakfast. We're partial to their RA Puram and Adyar outlets. Their Pongal vadai and filter coffee are spot on and so are their grainy idlis and range of dosas. But most of all it's their range of accompaniments - their sambar and chutneys never miss the mark. You can also check out A2B (Adyar Ananda Bhavan) outlets across the city for a Chennai-style breakfast.
Where: Third Cross Road, RA Puram
4. Pumpkin Tales:
Helmed by three women entrepreneurs, this cheerful space with plenty of natural light is a great place to start your day. Tables are tough to come by on a Sunday when regulars land up for their egg Benedict varieties, power smoothies and Morning Glory Bowls.
Where: Bheemanna Garden Street
Photo Credit: Pumpkin Tales
5. Madras Pavilion, ITC Grand Chola:
It's tough to pick our favourite breakfast buffet at a luxury hotel in Chennai. Madras Pavilion has a slight edge for its perfect blend of international favourites, healthy options and one of the best South Indian sections. There are not too many luxury hotels that get their filter coffee and idlis right even in Chennai.
Where: ITC Grand Chola, Mount Road
6. Ciclo Cafe:
If you're heading out early down the coast (on East Coast Road) towards Mamallapuram or Pondicherry, Ciclo Cafe makes for the perfect pit-stop. From hash browns to sausages and from waffles to French Toast, the menu has a host of international options and also offers the comfort of parathas if you're looking for a wholesome breakfast to kickstart your day.
Where: PVR Heritage RSL, East Coast Road, Uthandi
Photo Credit: Ciclo Cafe
7. Millet Maagic:
Tamil Nadu loves its millets. A slew of restaurants like Prem's Grama Bhojanam and Millet Maagic offer healthy millet options for popular dishes. From millet karuvapellai (curry leaf) idlis to millet parathas and millet dosas, Millet Magic (with the extra a in the Magic) is one of the healthiest breakfast spots in town.
Where: First Cross Road, TTK Road, Alwarpet
8. Mari Hotel:
It's not easy to find and it's located in a busy part of Saidapet where parking is almost impossible to find, yet this nondescript restaurant serves one of Chennai's very own iconic breakfast dishes - vada curry (a coarse dal mix in a flavourful gravy), that tastes terrific with dosa. You can also stop at Mamalla Motel on ECR near Mamallapuram for your vada curry fix.
Where: VS Mudali Street, Saidapet
9. Murugan Idli Shop:
This restaurant chain might have its roots in Madurai but it has grown to become one of the city's most popular restaurant brands. Most regulars will tell you to try their fluffy almost sticky idlis that are served with a whole bunch of accompaniments. We'd also recommend their sakkarai (sweet) Pongal and the onion uthappam.
Where: Multiple outlets
10. Chamiers Cafe Chennai:
It has one of the most evolved cafe cultures in the country. Chamiers Cafe close to the Swish Boat Club area is a case in point. The charming interiors might transport you to an English tea room in colonial Madras. There's a 'Full fry up' English breakfast with bacon and sausages and all-day breakfast options that include waffles, a vegetarian Spanish breakfast and an anti-oxidant power breakfast to fire you up.
Where: Chamiers Road
11. Hotel Safari:
While you might associate Chennai's breakfast scene with vegetarian staples, the city also has its share of old-school restaurants that dish out some of the city's favourite non-vegetarian options. Safari Hotel in the busy Royapettah area serves popular dishes like egg appam, aatukual paaya (trotters) with idiyappam (string hoppers) and flavourful chicken curry.
Where: Royapettah High Road.
12. Coffee Trotter:
Chennai's unconditional love for filter coffee is well documented. The city's coffee snobs have also embraced global coffees that newer cafes like Coffee Trotter are cashing in on. Their second, larger outlet in Kotturpuram features the same compact menu with house favourites like the Trotter Coffee and the French Toast.
Where: Link Road, Kottur Gardens
Photo Credit: Coffee Trotter
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About Ashwin RajagopalanI am the proverbial slashie - a content architect, writer, speaker and cultural intelligence coach. School lunch boxes are usually the beginning of our culinary discoveries.That curiosity hasn’t waned. It’s only got stronger as I’ve explored culinary cultures, street food and fine dining restaurants across the world. I’ve discovered cultures and destinations through culinary motifs. I am equally passionate about writing on consumer tech and travel.
