25 Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Chennai
Chennai is often considered great for its culinary skills that are world-famous. However, the often misconception of Chennai vegetarian food is that it is all only about idli and dosas. It is very important to understand that there is more to South Indian food and particularly vegetarian food that comes with a large variety of options and brings with it its own nuance and flavor.
Most people that eat non-vegetarian food often mock and look down at vegetarian food, because they may have not let themselves experience the good vegetarian options offered by different restaurants. Here is a list of 25 vegetarian restaurants in Chennai that promises to change biases, because each day they cook up a storm that is tasty, not so expensive, but also great for the pallet of anyone that travels to this part of the world.
Table of Contents
List of 25 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Chennai
25. Annalakshmi

This place is more than just a culinary experience. Annalakshmi has outlets today all over the world and is feeding different people on an everyday basis. It has a concept of volunteer cooks that add to the overall food experience, after having years of experience of cooking for their families. The thalis, the varieties are something you want to try. The food is cooked with care and the ambiance is inviting. Designed in the temple theme, it is not a place that just gives you good food but also is a treat to the eyes.
Location: 18/3, Rukmani Lakshmipathy Road, Next To Rani Meyyammai Hall, Egmore, Chennai.
24. Sangeetha

This is one of the famous chains of restaurants that are popular across the city of Chennai. It serves up south Indian, North Indian, and Chinese dishes that are easy on the stomach and good on the wallet. A no-fuss restaurant has good staff that serve you quality food, quickly and efficiently. With branches across the city, they maintain the standard and the quality of the food. They typically have a non AC section and an AC section, for different patrons. Their meals are totally worth the money you spend on them.
Location: 102/82, GN Chetty Road, T. Nagar, Chennai Tamil Nadu
23. Murugan Idli Kadai

True to its name this place serves up great idlis. Over the years it has been considered a famous veg restaurant in Chennai. Do not be fooled however by the name because there is a host of alternatives that they serve up. They have a variety of dishes like different dosais and also dish up a meal during lunch. They serve their food with a bunch of chutneys, sambar and certainly a smile.
Location: E. 149/1 6th Avenue, Besant Nagar, Opp. Velankanni Church, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600090
22. Eden

An establishment that has been around for years has been giving its patrons the best kind of food over the years. It has been serving up North Indian and continental stuff for the locals and patrons for years. They take their work seriously and therefore have always had a keen eye on service and providing quality food. Apart from having a branch in Besant Nagar, they also have a branch in Nungambakkam.
Location: Harrisons Hotel, 315, Valluvar Kottam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai
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21. Ratna Cafe

One of the old age restaurants that have been around for a long time now, Ratna Cafe is known to serve up some of the best idli sambars for its patrons. It is famous for its sambar and the dosas and South Indian fare that they serve day in and day out. This is a place you need to go to for its traditional value and their customers swear by the place over the many years that they serve. Their coffee totally deserves a special mention.
Location: Triplicane High Rd, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005
20. ID

Started as an option food in one of the most popular multiplexes in Chennai, it has grown to become a popular chain in the city including an outlet in the domestic airport in Chennai. They have different authentic and new-age dishes and provide a variety of dosais options. They offer beverages as well and particularly buttermilk and coffee is the famous beverages that come to mind.
Location: 1st Floor, Plot No. 8, Sathyam Cinemas, Thiruvika Rd, Peters Colony, Royapettah, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600014
19. Prive Restaurant

Known for its food and ambiance, Prive restaurant is one of the most famous places to eat in Chennai. They serve up a host of dishes from oriental, to South Indian to North Indian. It is known for its flavor and service. It is loved by many and has become a great place to eat in Chennai for veg lovers. If you are in Chennai you shout visit Prive once for a royal dining indulgence.
Location: 14, Rajasekaran Street, R K Salai, Mylapore, Chennai
18. Flower Drum

If you are a vegetarian and love your Chinese and oriental food, Flower Drum is a must-visit a restaurant in Chennai. They bring down the misconception that Chinese is best-eaten non-veg. People from around the city come to this sweet place that is tucked away in Egmore, serving up great Chinese and oriental food with a great ambiance. The mood is set as soon as you enter this restaurant with the music that plays in the background.
Location: 46, 2nd Floor, Prince Plaza, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai
17. Royal Vega

Luxury eating is something that people may take seriously if you are one of those, Royal Vega is a vegetarian restaurant in Chennai that is a must-go-to place. High-quality food in a high-quality place. The ambiance the look and feel of the place instantly captures your imagination for food to come. The hospitality is great and you know from the way they treat the food that they are serious about vegetarianism.
Location: ITC Grand Chola, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai
16. Little Italy

If you are a lover of Italian food, more importantly, a pizza lover, and a vegetarian – you need to look no further. Little Italy has outlets all over the city, and country. They serve up some of the best veg pizzas in town. As a vegetarian, one might often wonder how a pizza stays vegetarian in a place that serves up non-veg also but this famous veg restaurant in Chennai takes away that question from you by keeping it only veg. For over two decades this finest restaurant in Chennai has been offering marvelous delight for all.
Location: 3, Ground floor, 10, Wallace Garden 3rd Street, Thousand Lights West, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006
15. Kaidi Kitchen Veg Restaurant

If theme-related restaurants are your thing, then Kaidi kitchen is a vegetarian restaurant in Chennai that you must visit. They have a jail theme that makes it intriguing as soon as you enter the place. Additionally, they serve up a host of cuisines, including North Indian, Italian, Mexican, Thai, and more. They take pride in both the food that they serve up and the theme and look and feel of their restaurant.
Location: 20/3, Bishop Wallers Avenue, Mylapore, Chennai 600004
14. Rajdhani

Rajdhani serves up awesome Gujarati and Rajasthani food and is famous for its set thali that changes every day. Walk-in, take a seat, get served and taste deliciousness. The staff is kind and prompt and provides a host of dishes to give you a sense of Rajasthan and Gujarat in the streets of Chennai. The food is rich in flavor and introduces you to another culture while enticing your taste buds. Their thalis have a whole set of options from phulkas to rice to khichdi, to a whole bunch of other stuff to ensure that you are completely spoilt for choices. The hospitality in this place obviously requires a mention because all the people here serve with grace and respect.
Location: 1st Floor, Phoenix Market City, Velachery Main Road, Velachery, Chennai
13. Krishna Restaurant – New Woodlands Hotel

One of the oldest restaurants in Chennai. It is an udipi style restaurant and is in the heart of the city. It serves up vegetarian ‘tiffin’ and has been for many many years. It is considered a famous place to eat in Chennai, not just for its food but also for the traditions it stands for.
Location: Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai
12. Matsya

If you are one of those that has late-night hunger pang, and a vegetarian, you are in luck because Matsya makes sure they stay open till late at night to get your culinary cravings satisfied. They serve up a variety of food ranging from soups, salads, South India fair, Chinese, continental, North Indian, and more.
Location: 1, Halls Road, Egmore, Chennai
11. Krishna Vilasam

Considered a new kid in the block when compared to the many old establishments listed here, Krishna Vilasam is soon growing to become one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Chennai. The flavors they have are subtle and intriguing. Based on the Tirunelveli region recipes they have a lot of influence from Kerala as well. Their meals are something that one can look forward to.
Location: First Cross Street, Kasturba Nagar, Adyar, Chennai
10. Adyar Anand Bhavan

This is a chain of restaurants that is available across the city, and also has branches in other parts of the country like Bengaluru. They serve up some really good South Indian food and cater to all kinds of vegetarian eaters. Additionally, they are also famous for their sweet and savory dishes. It is certainly a must-visit restaurant in Chennai if you like a good tamizh sambar bath. And the sambar served here is mouth-watering, a must-visit when in Chennai.
Location: No. 9, Near Adyar Manere LB Road Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020
9. Hamsa

For vegetarians to have a place they can go for a candle lite meal or just have a good fine-dining vegetarian meal, Hamsa is the right place. It looks beautiful and gets the support of its experience complemented by the great food. They serve up North and South Indian food and have some dishes that have certainly made this place feature in the list of best restaurants in Chennai.
Location: B. Ramachandra Adithanar Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai
8. Pakwan Chennai

Pakwan is all about having a bombastic experience when it comes both to the flavors and the ambiance. It makes for a great outing and serves up some great north Indian dishes. The Panneer dishes here deserve a special mention because they absolutely live up to the name. They also have interesting dishes that the adventurous kind can definitely venture into.
Location: Kuppuswamy Street, GN Chetty Road, T Nagar, Chennai.
7. Sanjeevanam Vegetarian Restaurant

If you are looking for a healthy and authentic meal this is a place to go to in Chennai. It is laid back and is considered one of the best restaurants in Chennai, especially in the Nungambakkam area. It is pocket-friendly and takes its food seriously. Different delicious dishes, a large number of options and a great staff to make the experience that much more special.
Location: 97, High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai
6. Kakada Ramprasad

If you are on a food trip to Chennai, a visit to Kakada Ramprasad is a must. Founded in 1958 in Sowcarpet Chennai as a sweet shop became famous for its badam milk and desi ghee Jalebi. Soon, the place got expanded and today it is one of the best places for sweet and chaats in Chennai. They have two branches in Chennai (Kilpauk and Sowcarpet), serving North Indian, Italian, Chaat, Beverages, Sweet and more dishes.
Location: 348, 343, Mint St, Sowcarpet, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001
5. Food Nirvana

If you are in Raja Annamalai Puram, Food Nirvana is a must-visit restaurant in Chennai. It is a fairly new restaurant but has been gaining a lot of prominence amongst the best restaurants in Chennai. Tequila Creme Pasta, Malai Broccoli, Dragon Paneer are just some of the dishes that are great here. They serve up Continental, Chinese, Italian, and North Indian food.
Location: 23/11, 2nd Main Rd, Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600028
4. Cream Centre

In RA Puram or at Nungambakkam, get yourself treated by a healthy and tasty fill of vegetarian food. If you are looking for family outings or corporate events this comes with great food and great hospitality. This place serves up North Indian, Italian, fast food, and a host of beverages. From their Nachos to their paneer tikkas, they serve a great taste and are truly passionate about the food they serve and how they serve it.
Location: 45, College Road, Near Madras Alliance Francaise, Nungambakkam, Chennai
3. Novelty Tea House

Tucked away in the busy streets of sowcarpet, Novelty Tea House manages to stand out despite the buzz that is the area it is situated in. Though a small outlet, they are famous for the deliciousness they bring to the food. Pav Bhaji, Masala Dosai, and other varieties of north and south preparations are certainly a big hit here. They have branches around the city, making it a testament to how it’s not looks but a substance that makes you shine.
Location: 175, Mint Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai 600003
2. Royal Indianaa

If you are looking for a luxurious spread on buffet then Royal Indianna is what you want. They serve North and South Indian food and take an interest in not just the food but also the experience that their customers have. It is certainly a fine dining restaurant that is perfect for family and friends. Their veg buffet comes highly recommended, not just for the spread but also for the taste.
Location: 35, Gopathi Narayanaswami Chetty Rd, Parthasarathi Puram, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
1. Karachi Bakery

Hyderabad’s iconic Karachi bakery that started in 1953 now has a branch in Chennai’s Nungambakkam. The bakery is beyond bread, biscuits, cakes, and cookies, as the place now has a cafe attached that offers amazing snacks and shakes making it a perfect place to hang out with your friends and family. They have varieties of food items including pizzas, sandwiches, chat, and more. If you are planning to head there soon, then make sure you try the vegan sandwich and thin-crust cheesy Sicilian Pizza with Virgin Mojito!
Location – Round Table House, 80/69, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai
Conclusion
Needless to say, this is but just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to vegetarian restaurants in Chennai. Not just because there are so many to explore, but because there are many that one may have not explored. There are multiple places in different areas, some local options, others that are chains, even others that have been around for years! Each of them carries a tradition, a method to their madness if you will, but each of them is special and unique. So, when you think of food, do look out for the veg options too because there are multiple options, they are healthy, and studies show they are good for the environment as well, but let’s not forget the most important aspect – they are delicious!