Chennai
13° 05.123' N 80° 16.456' EFOOD
Ratna Cafe
13° 03.456' N 80° 16.234' EFamous for sambar idli where the idlis are literally swimming in a bowl of sambar. It’s hot, messy, glorious and veraa-level.
Rayar's Mess
13° 01.678' N 80° 15.890' EA tiny hole-in-the-wall in Mylapore. Limited menu, unlimited taste. The pongal and vadai sell out in minutes.
Pallavaram Yaa Mohaideen Briyani
12° 58.176' N 80° 08.550' EThe queue is long, but the mutton biryani is worth the wait. It’s legendary for a reason—spicy, flavorful, and served in massive quantities.
Play Bae Cafe
12° 57.123' N 80° 14.456' EA unique board game and art cafe in Thoraipakkam. Serves delicious European and Italian cuisine, perfect for a fun afternoon with friends.
CULTURE
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
13° 02.012' N 80° 16.123' EThe heart of Mylapore. The gopuram is colorful and imposing. Go in the evening when the lamps are lit.
DakshinaChitra
12° 49.345' N 80° 14.567' EA living museum of South Indian heritage. Traditional houses from different states transplanted here. It feels authentic, not kitschy.
Cholamandal Artists' Village
12° 53.678' N 80° 15.234' EIndia’s largest self-supporting artists’ village. Quiet galleries, sculptures in the garden, and a creative vibe.
NATURE
Theosophical Society
13° 00.789' N 80° 15.901' EA massive green oasis in the city. The 450-year-old Banyan tree is the highlight—its roots cover a huge area.
Marina Beach
13° 03.123' N 80° 16.890' EGo at sunrise, not sunset. Watch the fishermen bring in the catch and the city wake up. It’s peaceful before the crowds arrive.
Tholkappiyar Poonga
13° 01.150' N 80° 15.883' EAlso known as Adyar Eco Park. A restored wetland ecosystem in the heart of the city. Strictly regulated entry makes it a pristine escape.
HIDDEN
Armenian Church
13° 05.456' N 80° 17.234' ETucked away in the chaos of Parrys. Built in 1712, it’s a silent reminder of the city’s cosmopolitan past.
Moore Market
13° 04.962' N 80° 16.242' EA treasure trove for book lovers next to Central Station. First editions, academic texts, and rare finds stacked in dizzying piles.
KNK Road
13° 03.648' N 80° 14.976' EKhader Nawaz Khan Road. The “Golden Mile” of Chennai. High-end boutiques, cafes, and luxury cars. A stark contrast to the rest of the city.
VIEWS
Broken Bridge
13° 00.567' N 80° 16.678' EA bridge to nowhere in Adyar. It’s a bit eerie, especially in the evening, but offers a unique view of the estuary meeting the sea.
St. Thomas Mount
13° 00.234' N 80° 11.567' EA small hillock near the airport. The view of the planes landing and the city sprawl is fantastic, especially at dusk.
Lighthouse
13° 02.345' N 80° 16.789' EOne of the few lighthouses in India with an elevator. The view of the endless Marina coastline is unmatched.
FOOD
Ratna Cafe
13° 03.456' N 80° 16.234' EFamous for sambar idli where the idlis are literally swimming in a bowl of sambar. It’s hot, messy, glorious and veraa-level.
Rayar's Mess
13° 01.678' N 80° 15.890' EA tiny hole-in-the-wall in Mylapore. Limited menu, unlimited taste. The pongal and vadai sell out in minutes.
Pallavaram Yaa Mohaideen Briyani
12° 58.176' N 80° 08.550' EThe queue is long, but the mutton biryani is worth the wait. It’s legendary for a reason—spicy, flavorful, and served in massive quantities.
Play Bae Cafe
12° 57.123' N 80° 14.456' EA unique board game and art cafe in Thoraipakkam. Serves delicious European and Italian cuisine, perfect for a fun afternoon with friends.
CULTURE
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
13° 02.012' N 80° 16.123' EThe heart of Mylapore. The gopuram is colorful and imposing. Go in the evening when the lamps are lit.
DakshinaChitra
12° 49.345' N 80° 14.567' EA living museum of South Indian heritage. Traditional houses from different states transplanted here. It feels authentic, not kitschy.
Cholamandal Artists' Village
12° 53.678' N 80° 15.234' EIndia’s largest self-supporting artists’ village. Quiet galleries, sculptures in the garden, and a creative vibe.
NATURE
Theosophical Society
13° 00.789' N 80° 15.901' EA massive green oasis in the city. The 450-year-old Banyan tree is the highlight—its roots cover a huge area.
Marina Beach
13° 03.123' N 80° 16.890' EGo at sunrise, not sunset. Watch the fishermen bring in the catch and the city wake up. It’s peaceful before the crowds arrive.
Tholkappiyar Poonga
13° 01.150' N 80° 15.883' EAlso known as Adyar Eco Park. A restored wetland ecosystem in the heart of the city. Strictly regulated entry makes it a pristine escape.
HIDDEN
Armenian Church
13° 05.456' N 80° 17.234' ETucked away in the chaos of Parrys. Built in 1712, it’s a silent reminder of the city’s cosmopolitan past.
Moore Market
13° 04.962' N 80° 16.242' EA treasure trove for book lovers next to Central Station. First editions, academic texts, and rare finds stacked in dizzying piles.
KNK Road
13° 03.648' N 80° 14.976' EKhader Nawaz Khan Road. The “Golden Mile” of Chennai. High-end boutiques, cafes, and luxury cars. A stark contrast to the rest of the city.
VIEWS
Broken Bridge
13° 00.567' N 80° 16.678' EA bridge to nowhere in Adyar. It’s a bit eerie, especially in the evening, but offers a unique view of the estuary meeting the sea.
St. Thomas Mount
13° 00.234' N 80° 11.567' EA small hillock near the airport. The view of the planes landing and the city sprawl is fantastic, especially at dusk.
Lighthouse
13° 02.345' N 80° 16.789' EOne of the few lighthouses in India with an elevator. The view of the endless Marina coastline is unmatched.