Since COVID-19 cast a long shadow over our dining-out habits over the past year, forcing us to stay indoors and hone our own skills in the kitchen, things is slowly returning to normal as food lovers once again venture out to their favourite restaurants. Nevertheless, even as we make the switch to Unlock mode, diners are choosing to dine outdoors instead of indoors.
Though Chennai’s perennially hot and humid weather doesn’t lend itself to outdoor dining, there are a number of inviting options for people to enjoy amazing food in the open air. Aside from its atmospheric rooftops, lush green gardens, and seaside spots, Chennai is home to a number of fantastic eateries that draw patrons with their special ambiance as well as their delectable food and drink.
So, for those days when the weather is nice, and you feel like getting away from the concrete jungle to a more serene setting, we’ve put together a list of the best places offering outdoor seating in Chennai where you can sample the best that the vibrant food scene in the city has to offer.
Kipling Cafe
An old-world bungalow surrounded by sprawling lawns, Kipling Cafe blends old-world charm with a tropical vibe to create a truly unique atmosphere, one that is enhanced by the stunning view available. With its antique furniture, white muslin curtains, beautifully carved granite pillars, and secluded cabana-style seating, this cafe offers an intimate feeling like no other on the scenic East Coast Road. The sea breeze and the fabulous garden view make your visit that much more enjoyable even before the food arrives, making it one of the best restaurants with outdoor seating in Chennai.
There is a wonderful variety of cuisines on the menu, spanning both continental and Asian cuisines. Even though the Mixed Seafood Basket and the Thai Sharing Appetizer Platter might make you feel like skipping the main course, be sure to save some room for the Kipling Special Pizza, Ravioli, Bhetki Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce, and the Kipling Special Chicken Kebab. Suppose you’re in the mood for something from the north of India. In that case, you can also indulge in the selections from Kipling Masala, a separate menu dedicated to dishes from that region. The beverage menu excellently complements the food, be it the single malts, scotches, and wines on offer, or the unique and innovative cocktails and mocktails, all concocted at the live bar on the premises. Whether it’s a panna cotta or their Mud Cake, you’re bound to leave completely satisfied and planning your return!
Where: 16, L Jey Avenue, East Coast Road, Akkarai
When: 12 noon to 11 pm
Price for two: Rs. 2,500 onwards
Contact: 7305220330
East Coast At Madras Square
The East Coast by Madras Square charms you with an artsy setting in a lush lawn, tucked away in a bylane of the eponymous road. Ambiance, view, and the simple yet elegant menu combine to create an enchanting dining experience. You can enjoy items such as crab cakes, pesto fish, achari paneer, quattro formaggio pasta, and falafel while enjoying the lush greenery. Another popular item is the Creole Spice Fries, which are tossed with red peppers and served with refreshing mint mayo.
When you’re in the mood to truly indulge, order the Blueberry Cheesecake or the Multi-Layer Chocolate Cake and enjoy your decadent dessert. You can also work up an appetite by taking a relaxing stroll on the green lawns, preferably while holding a glass of wine. If you want to round off the night’s activities, you could catch a performance on the open-air stage, or even rent it out to show a private movie for your family and friends!
Where: 2/520 D, 2nd Avenue, Sandeep Nagar Main Road, Neelangarai
When: 11 am to 10 pm
Price for two: Rs. 1,700 onwards
Contact: 7338923775, 9600069871
Lyfe by Soul Garden Bistro
LYFE stands for ‘Live Your Food Everyday,’ a philosophy that owner Jignesh Pujara follows and endorses through his vegetarian resto-café in Kilpauk. This place exudes an easy, relaxed, and calming vibe in a large bungalow with its wooden walls and greenery. Fresh produce is treated with respect in the kitchen, and a high level of flavour and character is delivered. And, with an exhaustive menu that spans the globe, there is something for everyone to enjoy, which is why LYFE is considered one of the best restaurants with outdoor seating in Chennai!
When we say the menu is wonderfully varied, we mean it – from eye-catching bowls and lavish mezze platters to thin-crust pizzas and Indian staples, this place has it all. There are no less than 16 signature salads on offer, drawing inspiration from a variety of global cuisines, which makes for a great starting point for this culinary journey around the world. Try the highly-recommended Truffle Fungi pizza before heading over to another favourite, their home-made gelatos. Available in a range of unique flavours, each more enticing than the next, they will add a delicious sweetness to your meal. The best part? You can order vegan variants as well, so no dietary preferences can keep you from indulging in creamy goodness! However, if you’re in the mood for something more substantial to close out your meal, try the Crofle, a croissant-waffle hybrid that is drizzled with a strawberry and pistachio white chocolate sauce, offering a riot of textures and flavours the likes of which you’ll never have experienced before!
Where: 86/59, New Avadi Road, Kilpauk, Chennai
When: 11 am to 11 pm (Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun), 3 pm to 11 pm (Thu)
Price for two: Rs. 800 onwards
Contact: 9080062885
Wild Garden – The Cafe at Amethyst
Kiran Rao’s dream became a reality when Amethyst opened its doors at Sundar Mahal in Jeypore Colony, Gopalapuram, in 2000, with the ancient property restored to its former glory. Several decades later, Amethyst began restoring a granary warehouse in Royapettah, which resulted in a breathtaking result. With its collection of antique furniture and art around an old-world style mansion, a spacious verandah, and a verdant garden, Amethyst offers a remarkably verdant escape from the city. In addition to being a pioneer of outdoor seating in Chennai, this place offers a host of cosy nooks where you can spend some quality time amidst the lush greenery and potted plants.
A cobbled path winds through a lush garden, leading to the sprawling veranda of the Wild Garden Café, where the location is as spellbinding as the menu is inviting. Drawing inspiration from Continental cuisine, it features items such as the Waffles Benedict, Spiced Tofu Scramble, Marinara Pizza, pasta, Croque Monsieur, and other artisanal sandwiches. The dessert section features a variety of decadent cakes, brownies, cheesecakes, and more. Their portions are generous and the service is attentive and unintrusive, making this the perfect location to unwind.
However, what makes this place a true foodie’s paradise is the fact that their food menu includes their ‘standard’ offerings as well as a selection of daily specials, so there is a lot of mouth-watering variety that gourmands will definitely appreciate.
As well as a wonderful meal, Amethyst also offers visitors a holistic shopping experience that can be a part of the most enjoyable day. Upstairs at Amethyst (its name gives away its location) is a boutique featuring a curated collection of designer labels from some of India’s most well-known names in fashion, jewellery, home decor, and personal grooming. The restaurant also has an attached tailoring unit called The Blouse Room where you can get your clothes stitched in any style you like while you eat. The shelves are also stacked high with books on design, cooking, travel, and fashion to stimulate the mind and stomach. As if that weren’t enough, Amethyst also houses a beautiful flower shop called Bloom, where you can create bespoke handmade arrangements with the freshest and most exotic flowers in the city! There is even a space for exhibitions, art shows, book readings, music and film screenings and more called The Folly at Amethyst, where you can have your fill of art and culture while you enjoy some amazing food and drink and indulge in retail therapy.
Where: Whites Road, Royapettah
When: 10 am to 11:30 pm
Price for two: Rs. 1,400 onwards
Contact: 044 45991633, 044 45991634, 044 45991635
Sunset Grill
Offering a magnificent view of the Guindy Forest from its perch atop The Westin, Sunset Grill offers mouth-watering cuisine and an unparalleled ambiance. While soothing music plays in the background, a light breeze blows across the rooftop, sending soft ripples across the swimming pool. As you enjoy the view of the forest and the cityscape of Chennai, the food and drinks on offer further enhance your experience. The open kitchen whets the appetite, sending inviting fragrances wafting out over the dining area, while the relaxed atmosphere sets the tone for a thoroughly enjoyable meal.
The Mezze Platter, which comes with hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki and pita bread, is the perfect starter, followed by the New Zealand lamb chops with cauliflower mash and bacon-wrapped grilled asparagus, or the Barbecued Chicken with Truffle Parmesan mash. Vegetarian diners can dig into the Mushroom Risotto or one of their superb paneer dishes, washing it down with a signature cocktail, a glass of wine, or their hand-crafted beer. You can’t skip dessert either, with options such as the Callebaut Chocolate Dome, Peach & Vanilla Semifreddo, and Baked Alaska on offer!
Where: The Westin Chennai Velachery, 154, Velachery Main Road, Velachery
When: 7 pm to 11 pm
Price for two: Rs. 3,000 onwards
Contact: 044 66333777, 8939892079