Saravana Bhavan started with a stand-alone store in 1981 in Chennai. Ever since then, there has been no looking back. It is now one of the largest vegetarian restaurant chains in the world. When people think South Indian, they think Saravana. Their ghee roast dosas and special limited meals are to die for! Although many other south Indian chains came up in Chennai later, Saravana Bhavan was truly the restaurant chain that put the South Indian cuisine and Chennai on the world map. Although many other south Indian chains came up in Chennai later, Saravana Bhavan was truly the restaurant chain that put south Indian cuisine and Chennai on the world map.