The Best Restaurants In Pondicherry, India

French architecture fills this town
French architecture fills this town | © Sandipan Dutta / Alamy
Ritu Chandresh Poojari

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Pondicherry, also called ‘Puducherry’, is a town situated on the Bay of Bengal, and is known as the Little France of India. The town is known for its marked colonial history, and the influences of numerous colonial powers, including those of the Netherlands, Portugal, France and England, can still be felt in the town today. These influences are particularly noticeable in the town’s restaurant scene, which features a variety of international flavours mixed in with the traditional Indian cuisine. Here we list of the best restaurants in Pondicherry.

Le Dupleix

Le Dupleix is the perfect restaurant to spend memorable time with your friends and family. It is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and offers a calm and composed ambiance, with just the murmur of waves crashing offshore in the background. The restaurant is inspired by old French style yet with a modern-hotel feel. Situated in the heart of White Town, it very close to Pondicherry’s leafy park.

Appachi Chettinad

Appachi Chettinad breaks with the stereotype of everything in Pondicherry being associated with the French. Appachi is an old house that has been transformed into a restaurant with no lavish gardens or white washed walls; rather the décor is kept simple and natural. The thatched rooftop and the tamilian styled entrance pillars give the feel of a local home, and the traditional mouthwatering Indian delicacies that are served add to this ambiance. Famous for their spices, Appachi Chettinad is the restaurant to visit to get the real taste of India, with their ‘Chettinad’ style of cooking.

Le Pondy

With a thatched roof hut, Le Pondy restaurant is well known for its simple luxuries. It is quite a popular spot with tourists as it is located close to the Narasimha Swami Temple; thousands of devotees visit this temple, to worship the ‘Great Protector’ Narasimha. Le Pondy restaurant overlooks the sea and has an impressive swimming pool on which the golden lights of the hotel shimmer. After a day of sight-seeing Pondicherry, you’ll appreciate spending the evening relaxing over a delicious meal at Le Pondy.

Lighthouse Rooftop Grill

A cool breeze, ocean waves and a scenic lighthouse make the Light House Grill a famous spot among travelers. The Light House Grill offers Indian, continental and Oriental cuisine, making it a one stop spot for all foodies. The lighting is kept dim with candles everywhere. With the Promenade beach right out front, guests can stroll across the balcony to enjoy the view of not only the light house but the beautiful beach as well.

Farm Fresh

Situated in the nearby town of Auroville, Farm Fresh is a unique enterprise. The restaurant couldn’t have been established in a more significant place than Auroville, which aims to realize human unity through diversity. As the name suggests the food served by Farm Fresh is indeed fresh, and is served farm to table. The menu titles have been creatively written on wooden slabs in the counter, cutting down time spent choosing in favour of time spent eating. The famous Matrimandir, the Golden Globe temple, is walking distance from Farm Fresh.

Sea Gulls

Sea Gulls is a multi-cuisine restaurant which offers an enchanting evening with their great variety of sea foods, balcony sea-view and concerts that take place every now and then. The restaurant is also ideally located: the Veeram Pattinam Harbour is a must-visit, not far from the restaurant. Sea Gulls is the place to visit to experience a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The Goubert Avenue beach road is also near by, and provides a perfect post-dinner stroll along the Bay of Bengal.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, discover our guide to the best boutique hotels in Pondicherry and book now on Culture Trip.

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