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If you’re in Chennai and have had enough of dosa and idli, give some of the city’s beautiful cafes a try. These cafes serve everything from hearty breakfasts to more delicate dishes for lunch and dinner, ranging from Iranian to American cuisine and everything in between. From a British-inspired cafe to an al fresco one that welcomes pets, there’s something in the city for everyone. Check out these five cafes the next time you’re in Chennai:
Writer’s Cafe
With proceeds going to NGOs, Writer’s Cafe in Gopalapuram employs burn survivors to give them a new lease on life. Launched in collaboration with PCVC (Crime Prevention and Victim Care), the cafe teaches women who have been victims of burns essential kitchen and serving skills. The place is also known for its book-lined shelves, which customers may browse through or pick up a book from while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Shiraz Art Cafe
Essentially an Iranian cafe, Shiraz Art Cafe in Neelangarai also serves Mediterranean cuisine. The menu features a watermelon and feta salad, hummus and pita, mast-o-bademjan (an eggplant and yogurt dip), esheneh (naan with potato and herbs), ghormeh sabzi (kidney beans with herbs) and fesenjoon (pomegranate puree with walnut). Shiraz Art Cafe is tastefully decorated and is also pet-friendly.
The Brew Room
Part of the Savera Hotel, The Brew Room is a European-themed, al fresco cafe. Breakfast here includes everything from different egg preparations, French toast, waffles, pancakes and bagels. The beverage menu is extensive, with Turkish and French press coffees to cappuccino, cortado, macchiato, affogato and latte grande. Cold coffees like iced latte, Irish cream cold coffee, Thai cold coffee and iced americano also make an appearance.
Wild Garden - The café at Amethyst
Wild Garden is a beautiful space with lots of greenery and also a verandah. The menu is concise, with soups, salads, sandwiches and a few small and big plates like mutton samosa, khow suey, mushroom biryani, Thai red and green curry, pan-seared basa, prawns with soba noodles, chicken biryani, and bangers and mash. Don’t miss the unusual desserts like Portuguese custard tart and pistachio cake.
Chamier’s Cafe
A colonial-era style decor welcomes customers at Chamier’s Cafe, which has walls adorned with framed photographs. Once you’ve taken in the pleasant surroundings, move to the menu, which has mainly Continental and Italian food on it. Breakfast here could be English, American, Spanish or Continental, and there are also cheesy snacks like chilli cheese toast, cheese poppers and chicken cheese melt.
