Night Owls! Satisfy Your Late-Night Cravings At These Food Spots In Town

Cheta’s Buttermilk has gained acclaim for its authentic and delicious buttermilk, making it a must-visit destination for night owls in the city. Open until the early hours of the morning, this hidden gem offers a range of quick items and drinks to satisfy midnight cravings. Apart from its buttermilk, the cheese puff is pretty popular. The place provides snacks like Murukku Sandwich, Maggi, and more—best to satisfy midnight cravings. For those with a sweet tooth, their Bun Butter Jam is a crowd-pleaser. The quality of their buttermilk is hailed as exceptional, with a rich and creamy texture accompanied by Kara Boondhi, mango pieces, and fried peanuts. Although lacking a seating area, Cheta Buttermilk provides ample standing space for customers to enjoy beverages and snacks. This place has a lot of parking space and is smoker-friendly.

Timings: 7 PM to 5 AM

Price: INR 50 upwards

Place your order, patiently wait, and savour this hot, crispy roll, and swiftly continue your journey—it's that straightforward. These rolls promise flavourful satisfaction. Despite the lack of seating arrangements, the verdict from customers is unanimous: you won't leave disappointed. The charm of this establishment lies in its simplicity. This tucked-away gem is renowned for its tasty, hot and quick wraps, with options ranging from paneer to chicken. Catering primarily to takeaway orders, the establishment offers a quick, affordable, and delicious solutions for late-night cravings, proving that good food doesn't always require a fancy setting. 

Timings: 12 PM to 3 AM

Price: INR 200 per person

Mount Road Bilal, a midnight food beacon in Chennai, has earned its reputation as an exceptional late-night dining destination. While it may have a few service-related shortcomings, it stands as an unrivalled choice for a satisfying and budget-friendly midnight meal. Spanning two buildings, the smaller one specialises in tea, bun butter jam, and takeout items, while the larger establishment offers a diverse menu. The food here earns a solid 4.5/5 rating from Chennaiites. The dishes that shine are the Mutton Biryani, Mutton Seekh, Chicken Seekh and the basics, tea, and bun butter jam. The prices, affordably set at single portion rates, make it accessible to all. Despite occasional service lapses, the restaurant's dishes are on point. Catering to families and offering parking, Bilal's food and accessibility make it a standout choice for late-night dining in Chennai.

Timings: 11.45 AM to 2.30 AM

Price: INR 500 per person

Beneath the city's busy flyover, a culinary and entertainment haven has become a city favourite, making it the go-to midnight rendezvous point every day of the week. Kathipara Urban Square starts getting packed after 8 PM, and here, you'll discover a vibrant fusion of food, music, and gaming zones that beckon night owls. Familiar giants like Starbucks, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Junior Kuppana proudly stand amidst the bustling crowd apart from other individual food joints, catering to travellers heading to the airport and employees in the nearby IT hub. But that's not all, don't forget to indulge your sweet tooth with the irresistible cotton candy.

Timings: 24/7

Price: INR 200 upwards

MELT, a kiosk-style eatery on KNK road, is a popular hotspot for fried chicken burgers, focaccia sandwiches, and sides like chicken wings, fries, and chick pops. The food here is described as amazing, flavourful, and crispy, with the batter and sauces receiving high praise. The chicken wings are juicy and delicious, and the loaded fries are mouthwatering. However, parking difficulties and longer wait times during weekends due to heavy crowds are present. MELT also lacks proper seating arrangements, which can be a minor inconvenience. Despite these drawbacks, the food is highly recommended, especially for a visit with friends or loved ones, the area is pet-friendly and smoker-friendly.

Timings: 6 PM to 2 AM

Price: INR 200 upwards

Nestled in the heart of Anna Nagar is a gem that defies conventional dining norms. Despite its lack of seating arrangements and perpetually long queues, this South Indian fast-food haven has consistently drawn crowds due to its unparalleled quality and budget-friendly prices. They have been offering an array of delicious dishes, such as butter vada curry dosa and podi masala dosa for over 25 years. If you are someone who prioritises flavour over fancy surroundings, then this place is for you to satisfy those midnight cravings.

Timings: 7 AM to 11 PM

Price: INR 200 for two people

Kora Food Street in Anna Nagar is a lively food hub offering a diverse range of cuisines, music, and a unique atmosphere—perfect for gatherings with family and friends. This bustling food hub offers a global culinary experience, featuring dishes like wood-fired pizza, birria tacos, noodles, momo, and boba tea available round the clock. The food market boasts over 40 hand-picked outlets all under one roof. The setup resembles a vibrant night market, complete with benches and tables for diners, while repurposed shipping containers house the stalls. A go-to spot for students and young professionals to enjoy affordable and delicious late-night meals. Additionally, there are gaming facilities and a trampoline park on the first floor, and some pet-friendly tables are available for diners with pets.

Timings: 24 hours

Price: INR 250 upwards

A delightful ice cream shop nestled in the heart of the city will entice you with the scent of freshly baked waffle cones as you walk in, setting the stage for a sweet experience to come. The highlight of the visit will be the impressive selection of ice cream flavours displayed, encompassing both classic favourites and innovative creations to suit every palate. With commendable service and a cosy atmosphere, the shop tends to get crowded during weekends. While some find the prices a tad steep, the variety of ice creams offered makes it a must-visit spot at midnight. For those seeking a late-night ice cream fix, Cream Story impresses with its availability of not just ice cream but also its Kunafa and Puttu Ice Cream, Tender Coconut & Gulab jamun Sundae.

Timings: 11 AM to 2 AM

Price: INR 150 upwards

Nestled near the iconic Marina Beach, this beloved Kulfi Cart is a true Chennai gem. Without any toppings, their kulfi stands as a delicious delight, and the pocket-friendly prices make it a crowd favourite. This spot, perfect for travellers and a hit with kids, serves up flavourful kulfi generously adorned with almonds, cashews, and chocolate pieces, tailored to your preference. Whether you're enjoying a moonlit stroll along Marina Beach or embarking on a midnight adventure, this place is open late into the night, ready to satisfy your sweet cravings. Situated near Avvai Shanmugam Salai, it's the go-to destination for an unbeatable post-midnight kulfi fix that's as delightful as it is affordable.

Timings: 7.15 PM to 12.30 AM

Price: INR 40 upwards