13 editor-picked south indian restaurants across 2 cities.
A guide to south indian restaurants worth a trip, by city. We list operators, signature dishes, and the rooms locals book first.
Cafe Madras at Kings Circle has poured South Indian filter coffee since 1940. The idli is steamed in cotton batter; the masala dosa is the benchmark.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Order: Filter coffee and a Mysore masala dosa.
Tip: Closed Monday; weekend mornings queue from 07:00. Cash and card both accepted.
Cafe Madras at Kings Circle has poured Chennai-style filter coffee since 1940. The idli is steamed in cotton batter; the masala dosa is the benchmark.
Signature: Filter coffee, Idli, Mysore masala dosa
Order: Two filter coffees, one set of idli, one Mysore masala dosa.
Tip: Mondays are closed; Sunday breakfast queue starts at 07:00. Cash and card both accepted.
A Rama Nayak's Udipi Shri Krishna Boarding has run the unlimited South Indian thali in Matunga since 1942. Banana leaves, ghee roast, sambar refills.
Signature: Thali, Mangalorean ghee roast, Filter coffee
Order: The unlimited thali; come hungry.
Tip: Lunch only here; book the upstairs hall ahead for groups of six or more guests.
Chef Mano Thevar's two-Michelin-star South Indian restaurant. Traditional flavours through European technique: spice-forward sauces and seasonal produce.
Order: ['Fish head curry', 'Masala chicken', 'Mysore mutton']
Tip: The S$4.50 rice set gets you free-flow white rice, papadum, vegetables and curry. Arrive before 1pm on weekday lunches to avoid the queue.
Order: ['Banana-leaf thali', 'Masala dosa', 'Filter coffee']
Tip: Open from 8am; the breakfast spread of idli, vadai and sambar is superb and the most economical way to eat here. Cash only.
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