Ashwin Rajagopalan | Updated: June 29, 2018 15:21 IST
Whether it’s an impromptu catch up with a school buddy, or a quick business meeting or if you need to have lunch at 5 pm, Chennai’s cafés provide the perfect refuge. From historic buildings to sprawling bungalows that have been reimagined as cosy oases, each of these cafés have their own story and cult following. Whether it’s your favourite nook or a tea cake on the menu, there’s enough reason to keep coming back to these quintessential comfort zones where the service is almost always unhurried. On the surface this café is positioned as a literary hub where writers and the city's creative folk can bond over coffee and quick bites. Books are the only props; this café doubles up as a Higginbothams book store. As part of its CSR slant, the café has also taken it upon itself to offer burn victims a second chance; they have been trained by a Swiss bakery chef. It's the only place in Chennai where you can sample Flammkuchen - a rectangular thin crust pizza with roots in Southern Germany. Peters Road, Royapettah.
5. Latitude by the Park
This all-day diner rubs shoulders with the Good Earth store just off Nungambakkam high road and is an equally popular business meeting venue. Aside from a decent selection of sharing platters, Latitude's paninis and pastas are a favourite with regulars. Many of Latitude's patrons stay back for dessert even if it's a working lunch; the forest berry crumble with a homemade gelato is one of their signatures. Rutland Gate, Nungambakkam.
The perfect setting for the pause button in the middle of a frenetic day, especially if you arrive at tea time. Their special afternoon cream tea set includes pastries, assorted sandwiches, choice of tea and warm raisin scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. The Enid Blyton images on the menu add a nice touch. Kasturi Rangan Road, Alwarpet.
7. Lloyds Tea House
Challenged Chennai's pre-disposition towards coffee with an impressive selection of teas (over 60 varieties) including their popular hibiscus and Franconian peppermint teas. But it isn't all just tea here, Lloyds has an impressive food menu that includes Italian and Thai mains while their dessert and cake selection is quite exhaustive. Lloyds Road, Gopalapuram.
8. Ashvita Bistro
Tucked away in one of Alwarpet's leafy streets, Ashvita offers a choice of cosy indoor and outdoor seating options. The menu is quite eclectic - from their popular momos to monster shakes (their posh nosh shake is a meal by itself) to fiery Thai and Oriental curries. Bawa Road, Alwarpet.
9. Crisp
In the 1990s Cakewalk, was one of Chennai's first cake shops that also offered a snack (they liked to call it fast food menu back then) menu and café seating. Crisp is the 2010s avatar of the original Cakewalk Café except that its certainly hipper and the menu goes beyond burgers and sandwiches - the red velvet pancakes and beef steak are among their bestsellers Kothari Road, Nungambakkam.
10. Café @ InKo centre
It's certainly not on everyone's radar and the menu is quite limited but this tiny café that is part of the InKo centre boasts of a terrific location and a great ambience. It's probably the only Café in Chennai that serves Korean style beverages - Ginseng tea to green plum soda to sweet potato latte, and Patbingsu (literally red beans with ice). It's quite like the Ice Kachang; a plate heaped with ice shavings, red bean paste and a variety of sweet toppings. Boat Club Road.
About Ashwin RajagopalanI've discovered cultures, destinations and felt at home in some of the world's most remote corners because of the various meals I've tried that have been prepared with passion. Sometimes they are traditional recipes and at most times they've been audacious reinterpretations by creative chefs. I might not cook often but when I do, I imagine I'm in a cookery show set - matching measuring bowls, et all!
