Jigarthanda, the famous milk-based drink from Madurai, has found a special place in the hearts of Chennaiites. The drink, which literally translates to 'cool heart,' is a perfect respite from the heat of Chennai. Jigarthanda is a refreshing and creamy drink made with a blend of milk, almond gum, Nannari syrup, and ice cream. Over the years, it has become a popular beverage in Chennai and a must-try for anyone visiting the city as well. Jigarthanda is widely available in the city, but there are a few places that stand out for their exceptional taste and quality.
Here’s your guide to the 10 best places to have jigarthanda in Chennai.
Madurai Famous Jigarthanda
Madurai Vilakku is a small restaurant located in the heart of Chennai's bustling shopping district of T Nagar. It is famous for its authentic Madurai-style dishes, including the jigarthanda. The drink is thick and creamy, with just the right amount of sweetness. Madurai Vilakku's jigarthanda is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and is sure to delight your taste buds. Due to heavy traffic, it may be difficult to reach the location, which is located behind the Saravana Selvarathinam store on Mothilal Street. Jigarthanda is served in an identical fashion in both Madurai and Chennai; the only difference is the type of cup used. If you're in Madurai, you'll get a glass, but in Chennai, you'll have to settle for a plastic one.
USP Dishes: Jigarthanda, Spl. Jigathanda
Phone number: 7540040170
Available Cuisines: Dessert, Drinks
Type: Veg
Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
Timings: 11.00 am - 10:30 pm
Address: Blue Diamond Apartments, 52, Motilal St, opp. to Ranganathan Street, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
Cost for two: Rs 200 (Budget)
Namma Veedu Vasantha Bhavan
You can walk to the restaurant in less than a minute from Chennai's Egmore train station. Their jigarthanda has the perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess. With a thick consistency and a heaping scoop of ice cream on top, this drink looks and sounds like heaven. In the sweltering heat of Chennai, grabbing a cold one before boarding the train will set you up for the next several hours.
Phone Number: 044-48622498
USP Dishes: Jigarthanda, Ice Cream
Available Cuisines: Desserts, Fast Food
Type: Veg
Meals Served: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Timing: 5.00 am - 12.00 am
Address: 33, Gandhi Irwin Rd, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008
Cost for two: Rs 150 (Budget)
Dindigul Thalappakatti
Established in 1957, Dindigul Thalappakatti is a restaurant chain known for its delicious biryanis and other South Indian delicacies. The restaurant's jigarthanda is unique in that it's not blended; all the ingredients are layered on top of each other. The drink has a perfect balance of flavors and textures, with the ice cream, almond gum, and nannari syrup coming together to create a truly delightful drink. The restaurant offers a variety of services, including indoor seating, takeaway, and delivery. They are known for their mouth-watering jigarthanda, basundi, and ice cream.
Phone Number: 044-43581491
USP Dishes: Jigarthanda, Basundi
Available Cuisines: Desserts, Fast Food
Type: Veg
Meals Served: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Timing: 11.00 am - 11.00 pm
Address: AJ-213, 9th Main Rd, Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040
Cost for two: Rs 400 (Budget)
Murugan Idli Shop
Murugan Idli Shop is a popular chain of restaurants in Chennai known for its traditional South Indian dishes. The restaurant's jigarthanda is made with their signature blend of milk, ice cream, almond gum, and nannari syrup. The drink has a unique taste and an excellent texture. Murugan Idli Shop is a must-visit for anyone looking for a quintessential South Indian food experience.
Phone Number: 9597086501
USP Dishes: Jigarthanda, Podi Idli
Available Cuisines: Desserts, Fast Food
Meals Served: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Type: Veg
Timings: 7.00 am - 9.00 pm
Address: 77-1/A, G.N. Chetty Road, T. Nagar, Chennai 600017
Cost for two: Rs 100 (Budget)
Madurai Vilakuthoon Hanifa Jigarthanda
You will find authentic jigarthanda, kulfi, and ice creams served cold in glasses; the servings are also quite generous. Choose from 3 varieties of jigarthanda and falooda: mini, regular, and special jigarthanda, and royal, malai, and nut falooda. While seating might be an issue, the taste of the beverages more than makes up for it.
Phone Number: 9842888549
Available Cuisines: Beverages, Desserts
Meals Served: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Type: Veg
USP Dishes: Mini Jigarthanda and Nuts Falooda
Timings: 11.00 am - 11.00 pm
Address: 51, Netaji Rd, Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001
Cost for two: Rs 200 (Budget)
Jigarthanda Factory
The jigarthanda at Jigarthanda Factory is some of the best in Chennai, and it's well worth the trip just to try it there. It would be a shame to pass up on their jigarthanda, especially the nut-filled variety. There's enough room for two full tables of diners, or about 8. They also have home-made ice creams that are of high quality. Give their butterscotch flavors a try; you’ll love them.
Phone Number: 97892 87769
USP Dishes: Jigarthanda Normal, Special, and Special with Nuts
Meals Served: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Available Cuisines: Desserts, Beverages
Type: Veg
Timings: 10.00 am - 11:30 pm
Address: Chidambaram Nagar, Ramapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600089
Cost for two: Rs 200 (Budget)
Madurai Pandisamy Jigarthanda
The restaurant's jigarthanda has a unique flavor and deliciously creamy malaai and texture that set it apart from other places serving the drink. The drink is as close to authentic Madurai style as you can get and is loaded with ice cream. The nannari syrup adds a subtle flavor, and the almond gum at the bottom gives the drink a chewy texture that is delightful to the palate.
USP Dishes: Jigarthanda Regular, Special, and Big Size
Available Cuisines: Desserts, Beverages
Meals Served: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Type: Veg
Timings: 11.00 am - 9:30 pm
Address: 960, 454, Thiruvottiyur High Rd, Korukkupet, Old Washermanpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600021
Cost for two: Rs 150 (Budget)
Madurai Vilakkuthoon Hanifa Jigarthanda
One of a very popular chain of Jigarthanda spots, this small shop in Triplicane serves one of the best jigarthandas in Chennai that is a must-try for anyone looking for an authentic and flavorful experience. The drink has a perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess, and the nannari syrup gives it a unique aroma. So, come here and enjoy these cool desserts to beat the hot summer in Chennai.
Phone Number: 8608155488
USP Dishes: Jigarthanda, Basundi, Ice Basundi
Available Cuisines: Desserts, Beverages
Meals Served: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Type: Veg
Timings: 10.00 am - 11.00 pm
Address: 257, Triplicane High Rd, Subramania Salai, Ellis Puram, Padupakkam, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005
Cost for two: Rs 200 (Budget)
Whether you're a local or a tourist, these restaurants offer an authentic and unforgettable experience that is hard to find anywhere else. With their unique taste and high-quality ingredients, these places are a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the food culture of Chennai. Sip on some refreshing jigarthanda and fall in love with the city's exquisite South Indian cuisine.
