In its location on the Coromandel Coast, and as the capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is one of South India’s greatest hubs, with a remarkably rich cultural offering that makes it one of the country’s most visited cities. Owing to this popularity among international travelers, Chennai has a number of luxury hotels, which are home to a collection of excellent restaurants. Here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Chennai, which are tucked into the city’s top hotels.
Pan Asian
Among ITC Grand Chola’s dining venues, the award-winning eatery Pan Asian stands out for its reputation as one of India’s top Far East Asian restaurants. Representing Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia through its cuisine, an array of sumptuous fare is cooked up in each of the restaurant’s open kitchens. Signature plates include a Pan Asian sushi and sashimi platter, and Chinese simmered prawns with stir-fried lobster.
Southern Spice
Within the five-star Taj Coromandel Hotel, the award-winning restaurant Southern Spice is a celebration of southern Indian cuisine, with rich interiors that reflect the grandeur of India’s historic palaces. Tuck into classic plates such as Adai spiced lentil pancakes, Mirapakaya Pitala chili spiked crab cutlets, and Malayetti Ajardina baked lobster.
The Flying Elephant
Sprawled across six levels of the Park Hyatt Chennai, the Flying Elephant offers diners an array of cuisines from North Indian to Italian, which are cooked up in its five live kitchens, in a modern space designed by acclaimed designer George Wong. With a lively ambiance, DJ sets on the weekends and a lavish Sunday brunch, this is one of Chennai’s hottest dining locations.
Jamavar
Celebrating the royal kitchen of India’s past, this award-winning restaurant in The Leela Palace hotel brings opulent interiors of jaali-works, grand chandeliers and soft lighting together with traditional dishes from across India. Signature dishes here include the Kumarakom fish curry, which originates from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and the Raan-e-Jamavaar leg of lamb marinated in spices and grilled in a tandoor with a dash of rum.
China XO
In an elegant space inspired by traditional Chinese décor, China XO overlooks Chennai’s scenic Bay of Bengal. Here, the menu of regional specialties from Canton and Sichuan in China includes classic plates such as Beijing-style noodles and Peking duck, alongside an array of dim sum; try the Chilean sea bass option, truffle and edamame, or pine nut and pumpkin.
A2
Located within The Park Chennai, A2 showcases the industrial chic design of luxury product designer Gunjan Gupta. Within this contemporary setting, sophisticated world cuisine is served as small sharing plates or mains, encompassing sushi, sashimi, bowls of ramen and salad. And just like the culinary offering, the cocktails here take on Japanese influence through the addition of Japanese flavors.
After reading about the best restaurants in Chennai, find more inspiration on where to eat by taking a look at our reader-voted Top 100 Restaurants.