Pinteresty-Cafes You Need To Check Out In Chennai

Flooded with light streaming in through its large, floor-length windows, this cafe is Chennai’s first coffee microbrewery. Visit for its quaint décor, bench-like seating, exposed brick walls, cute cake posters, and beautiful earthenware. Fast, free WiFi, delicious crafted coffee – the Ice Brew is a must-try – and delectable food. The café, housed in Savera hotel, offers plenty of parking and has a small adjoining garden that comes to life at night with its charming white gazebos, twinkling fairy lights, and illuminated décor-only cycles. Oh, and their brownies are to die for. Read more here. 

Price: INR 1000 for two 

Amethyst is a lesson in restoration – once an old warehouse granary, the majestic colonial-style building is now home to a flower shop, a lovely, curated boutique called Upstairs and a lovely cafe set amidst an oasis of green and calm called Wild Garden Cafe. You can go there your girl squad for brunch or chill by yourself. The menu is purely continental, with the cheesecakes and sorbets being a hit. The best part – Amethyst Cafe is also pet-friendly!

Read more about Amethyst here. 

Price: INR 1400 for two 

The name is a giveaway: Ciclo Cafe is, of course, a bicycle-themed café replete with wheels and other paraphernalia adorning the walls, and bike seats doubling as seating. The ground floor even has a shop that sells bikes and related accessories. The décor is quirky with framed posters on the walls complementing the plush turquoise and purple seating, and the bright first floor has large windows overlooking the road. Apart from the welcoming ambience, the service is excellent and the food well-loved. Regular visitors strongly recommend the quiches and the pizzas.

They've also started an online salad bar. Read more here. 

Price: INR 1100 for two 

Painted in hues of dusty pink and white-tile detailing, this cute cafe in Nungambakkam will remind you of those diners you see in the movies. The vintage memorabilia adds to the personality of this place that serves lovely coffee and floral sodas. There's hot chocolate, sandwiches, creamy shakes, and small plates on offer as well. Oh, not to forget creamy cupcakes. This one is perfect for a date, we think. 

Price: INR 1200 for two 

How about eating inside a glasshouse or working from one? Perfect for a date or if you're looking for gorgeous outdoor seating, head to Cafe de Paris in Teynampet. The cosy ambience is reminiscent of restaurants on cobblestone streets in Europe with the aroma of fresh-baked goodies filling the air. As for the food, try their Assorted Bruschetta, Pita Platter, Twisted Pizza (an in-house speciality) and their signature blends of coffee. Know more here. 

Price: INR 800 for two

Chamiers Café in RA Puram is a favourite among the young and old, locals, and expats alike. With decor that comprises vintage wallpapers, retro bric-a-brac like a radio set, old-time advertisement posters, and much-Instagrammed ceiling light-fixtures, this place attracts quite the crowd. Offering fresh salads and hearty pasta dishes along with cold-pressed juices, cakes, and other desserts, you can head here for lunch, work, or for a late post-dinner snack (the kitchen is open until 11.30 pm). You can also go shopping at Anokhi downstairs, or browse through some unique jewellery and handcrafted goodies at the shop adjoining the café. Either way, Chamiers promises a whimsical getaway. 

Price: INR 1000 for two 

Hands-down one of the best places for a romantic dinner, head to Kipling Cafe for a chill time with a drive. The charming hut-style cabanas and breezy outdoor add to the mood of the place. Of course, there's a bar if you really want to lift your spirit. If the weather is great, you can also head to this place for a lovely lunch or brunch. You can enjoy your meal with a view of the beach from their small but lovely rooftop space and sip on all the cocktails you want. As for the food, their continental starters, pizzas, and tandoori dishes come highly recommended. 

Price: INR 2400 for two 

Set in Nandanam, this cafe by architect Junaid Ahmed looks posh with sleek interiors and marble tabletops. The menu has been curated by Chef Willi and includes cafe classics like sandwiches, pasta, soups, salads, and of course, coffee. Their pizza and basque cheesecake come highly recommended. There's ample parking too. 

For a whole list of the newest places to check out in Chennai, click here. 

Writers Café (in association with Higginbotham’s) is a crowd-favourite. The café is warm and welcoming and boasts of a bookstore and tasty, reasonably-priced food. The only negative is that it is often crowded, and the waiting time is long, though browsing through the books on offer is a great way to kill time. What is special about the café, however, is its mission: it trains and employs burn victims in a bid to help provide them with life skills. The café, it would seem, is all about inclusivity. Good enough reason to visit. Read more here. 

Price: INR 500 for two