Best Places to Eat Street Food in Chennai, India
From authentic South Indian to spicy Burmese delicacies, Chennai’s street food cart serves it all. Hop on a food trail and binge on these mouth-watering dishes made in some of the most inconspicuous places in the city.
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Bombay Lassi
Tucked away in a narrow alley, this joint is one of the most famous places in the city that makes piping hot samosas. Located right behind Devi theater, this place also has thick lassi, jelebi, rabdi, and kachodi. Bombay Lassi is more of a stall with no place to sit, but people from all over the city throng here to bite into some delicious samosas.
Anmol Mohit Lassi
Though a small stall located in the busy streets of George Town, Anmol Mohit Lassi has a fervent customer base in the city. The kher lassi served here is unlike any other and is the perfect thirst quencher on a hot, humid day.
Kaalathi News Mart
This iconic hole-in-the-wall kind of place serves the best rose milk in the city. On a hot summer day, here’s where you’ll want to head to cool off with a glass of cold rose milk that smells and tastes great. There’s always a great line outside this shop that is a kind of a landmark in the city.
Alsa Mall Bread Omelet
This again is a small stall right outside Alsa Mall on Egmore. But the sandwiches served here are a favorite among the city folks. This street food is an absolute joy to bite on, no matter the weather. Be it a hot day, sunny day, or a rainy evening, the bread omelet with the special green chutney served here will surely leave you wanting more. Also try their other sandwiches like the chili cheese toast or the grilled sandwich.
Links Purasawalkkam
This particular street food has its roots in Chennai. Though served in different places across the city, the joint in Purasawalkkam was the first to introduce it to the city. Slices of tomato, cucumber, and onion are stacked one above the other between two small murukku pieces spread with green chutney. A generous grating of cheese is added on top and sprinkled with sev. Pop in a whole piece and experience your taste buds explode.
Jannal Kadai
Jannal in Tamil means window. This modest place is literally just one window. Located on the narrow lane leading to Kapaleswara temple, this literal hole-in-the wall has been around for decades. Famed for its bajjis and bondas, this place operates for limited hours and is packed whenever it’s open. In addition to the food, you’ll be amazed just to watch how this place works.
Second Lane Beach Road
Burma Bazar got its name from the number of immigrant populations that moved to the city several decades ago from Burma, now Myanmar. A little away from Burma Bazar is the 2nd lane beach road and on it are several street food stalls selling yummy Burmese food. Try the Athouk, a very popular Burmese salad with an option of boiled eggs and wash it down with Mohinga, a traditional Burmese soup.
Kakada Ram Prasad
This place has some of the most extravagant sweets and mouth-watering chaats on display. Their badam milk is the top pick and a favorite among the locals. The place also serves other snacks and Gujarati food items.