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Street Food in Chennai - Best Places To Munch On Some Tasty Food

From The Streets of Chennai

Chennai, the place of origin of the "Chicken 65" dish, is a top food destination. It has a lot more to offer than just idli and
dosa. Its rich and vibrant culture is reflective of its varied food palate. The capital of Tamil Nadu has a wide array of street
foods. It was featured in the second spot in National Geographic's list of "Top 10 Food Cities" from around the globe. If
you're a foodie, you cannot give this city a miss.

So here's your very own guide to scrumptious Street Food in Chennai. 

1. Idly - The Best Street Food in Chennai
Being the staple food of Tamil Nadu, Idli is readily available on almost every street corner. It is made from rice and is
usually served with sambar and coconut chutney. Murugan Idly Shop is a popular joint in Chennai which serves their idlis
with a wide variety of chutneys. Although the process of making these is quite easy, however, not everyone can get them
to be fluffy and as light as air.
Top 3 Places to Eat Idly in Chennai
Murugan Idly Shop
Idly Factory 
Idly Express

Cost for two: INR 100 (approx)

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2. Chaat
Mint Street in Chennai is the place to go to if you are looking for some good chaat. This North Indian street food is a hit
among the locals. Kakada Ramprasad is a popular shop on this street that serves some delicious chaat items. You must
try their Aloo Tikki chaat, which is just the right amount of crispy.
Top 3 Places to Eat Chaat in Chennai
Hemanth Chats
Kakada Ramprasad Chats and Sweets
Ganga Chats

Cost for two: INR 50 (Approx)

street food in chennai, chaat

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3. Atho
Originally a Burmese dish, Atho is a popular street food in Chennai. It consists of noodles served with vegetables. Head
over to the Burma Bazaar or Beach Road where lines of roadside stalls sell this unique street food. Atho Man, a food
joint on G.A. Road, serves various types of Athos and is worth a shot.
Top 3 Places to Eat Atho in Chennai
Atho Man
Atho Corner
Mulberry Star Burma Atho Shop
Cost for two: INR 200 (Approx)
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4. Pani Puri
Pani Puri or Gol Gappa is a popular street food across India. In Chennai, the locals head over to Mint Street to snack on
pani puris. Among the various street vendors, one particular vendor stands out. It is for Vishnu's Pani puris that people
queue up. He has been in the business for more than 40 years and to this day sells pani puris from the exact same spot.
Top 3 places to eat Pani Puri in Chennai
Vishnu's Pani Puris
Gangotree
Shree Mithai

Cost for two: INR 40 (Approx)

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5. Uthappam
Uthappam is another popular South Indian dish. Unlike a dosa, it is a lot thicker and filled with vegetables and is usually
served with sambar or chutney. No other place serves better Uthappams than Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre which has been
selling the same items for 36 years. Located in Mint Street, George Town, people come here from all across Chennai to
indulge in their only two dishes, ghee uthappam and ghee idli.
Top 3 Places to Eat Uthappam in Chennai
Saravana Bhavan
Saravana Bhavan
Anachi Dosai Kadai
Ratna Cafe

Cost for two: INR 150 (Approx)

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6. Bhajji
Bhajjis, similar to a pakora, is a snack that is popular in many parts of India. In Chennai, this is served with different
chutneys and is loved by the locals. Jannal Kadai in Mylapore is a small window shop where people line up to have their
bhajis with a special chutney. One can also find some excellent bhaji outlets on East Mada Road. 
Top 3 Places to Eat Bhajji in Chennai
Mak N Bhajji Shop
Nair Mess
Jannal Kadai in Mylapore

Cost for two: INR 40 (Approx)

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7. Jalebi
Jalebi is a sweet which is loved by one all. It is usually served with rabri, but one can have it by itself as well. Ram Prasad's
Jalebii stall in Sowcarpet is where one can find the crispiest jalebis. He has been in business for more than 20 years and
has a huge customer base.
Top 3 Places to Eat Jalebi in Chennai 
Ram Prasad's Jalebi stall 
Shubh
Rotiwala

Cost for two: INR 200 (Approx)

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8. Puttu
Puttu is a breakfast dish made from rice and topped with coconut. In Chennai, under the North Usman Flyover, a guy by
the name of Ismail sells puttus made from black rice. The puttus are garnished with coconut and sugar and are priced at
just INR 10 per packet. One must give these a shot.
Top 3 Places to Eat Puttu in Chennai
Maplai
Nair Mess
Ente Keralam

Cost for two: INR 300 (Approx)

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9. Sundal
Sundal is one of the most popular street foods in Chennai. It is made from boiled chickpeas mixed with onions and
finished off with shredded coconut. You can find this at many beaches in Chennai, but the one at the Marina Beach is
worth trying.
Top 3 Places to Eat Sundal in Chennai
Mathsya 
OSB hot and chat
Royal Sandwich

Cost for two: INR 30 (Approx)

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10. Idiyappam
Idiyappam is a lot like noodles but is made with rice flour and is usually served with coconut milk or a curry. It is very
popular in the Southern states of India and is mainly a breakfast dish. Head over to Srinivasan Road in T Nagar, where
you'll find various food stalls selling this culinary treat.
Top 3 Places to Eat Idiyappam in Chennai
ID
Kaaraikudi
Kozhi Idli
Cost for two: INR 100 (Approx)

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11. Kuzhi Paniyaram

Kuzhi Paniyaram can be served as a savoury or a sweet. It is made from black lentils, and rice and the preparation process
is similar to that of an Idli. You will find this speciality on the streets of T. Nagar, specifically on Venkatesan Street. There's
one particular street vendor who sells Paniyarams, both sweet and spicy and is quite popular among the locals.
Top 3 Places to Eat Kuzhi Paniyaram in Chennai
The Old Madras Cafe
Murugan Idli Shop
Dakshina Puram

Cost for two: INR 250 (Approx)

street food in chennai, chennai, food guide

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12. Samosa
Samosa is the go-to snack for everyone on a rainy day or a cold winter afternoon. It is very popular in India and is of
various kinds. In Chennai, people usually go to Sowcarpet to indulge in chaat items. However, Sri Karpagambal Kapali
Sweet Stall in Mylapore is where you will find some lip-smacking onion samosas. They are tiny but are heavenly. You can
also snack on mint pakoras, both being very easy on the pocket. 
Top 3 Places to Eat Samosa in Chennai
Sri Karpagambal Kapali Sweet Stall 
The Samosa Factory
Samosa Treat
Cost for two: INR 100 (Approx)

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13. Kulfi
Kulfi, a denser and creamier version of ice cream, can be found everywhere across the country. In Chennai, people line up
outside the small outlet of Tewary's in Lake Area which serves various types of kulfis from the traditional malai ones to
the newer coffee flavour ones. You can also find various kulfi stalls on Mint Street.
Top 3 Places to Eat Kulfi in Chennai
Bombay Kulfi 
King's Kulfi and Natural Ice cream
Kulfi House

Cost for two: INR 150 (Approx)

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14. Dosa
Dosa is a staple food of South India readily available at every street corner. They are made from rice and are crisp, light
and also easy on the pocket. You can find various food stalls in T. Nagar area which serve Podi Dosa usually with ghee.
They are available at a price of INR 30 and are delicious.
Top 3 Places to Eat Dosa in Chennai
Remix Dosa
Krishna's Dosa Kadai
Dosart

Cost for two: INR 200 (Approx)

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15. Kothu Parotta

Parotta, made from flour, is a flatbread that is a typical street food and is much like the North Indian Lacha Parantha.
Kothu Parotta is made from shredded parotta, mixed with either egg, meat or vegetables. A lot of restaurants also sell
this delicacy. However, it tastes the best on the streets of Chennai.
Top 3 Places to Eat Kothu Parotta in Chennai
Thambi Vilas
Madurai Kumar Mess
Maplai

Cost for two: INR 350

street food in chennai, chennai food guide

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16. Murukku
Murukku literally means "twisted" in Tamil. Rice flour and Urad Dal flour are kneaded together with spices asafoetida, chilli
powder and sesame, twisted to form a coil-like form and deep-fried. Murukku is one of the best snacks in Chennai.

Top places to eat Murukku in Chennai

3 Star Murukku Shop

The Grand Sweets and Snacks
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17. Boli
Boli is a South Indian sweet snack which is also known by names like Puran Poli, Holige, Obbattu in various states of the
south and central India. A traditional Boli is made like a chapati stuffed with mashed Bengal gram, sugar, ghee, cardamom
and nutmeg. 

Top places to eat Boli in Chennai

Venkateshwara Boli Stall

Sri Srinivasa Boli Stall

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18. Jigarthanda
Jigarthanda literally means "Cool Heart". It is a cooling drink, originally from Madurai, is found in various places of Tamil
Nadu. The main ingredients in the delicious drink are milk, almond gum, root syrup, sugar syrup and ice-cream.

Top places to drink Jigarthanda in Chennai

Madurai Famous Jigarthanda
OMR Jigarthanda
Hanifa Jigarthanda
Jigarthanda Triplicane Chennai
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Best Places For Street Food in Chennai

Sowcarpet
Marina Beach
Anna Nagar
Burma Bazaar
T Nagar
Monteith Road, Egmore
Mylapore
Pondy Bazaar
Besant Nagar
Mount Road
Chennai is all about street food. A trip to the city is incomplete without visiting the streets of Sowcarpet which offer
some of the best street foods of Chennai. You can find the most staple dish of Southern India to North Indian street foods
like Gol Gappas, all in these lanes. So, the next time you are in the city, do not forget to try the street food in Chennai.

This post was published by Akshita Rawat

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