Chennai's café and dining scene has grown into one of India's more consistent culinary markets, ranking 4th in a 2024 hospitality report on the country's food services sector. Beyond the food, design is doing a lot of the talking too, from streets-inspired interiors to European-style bistros.

Here are six spots worth adding to your Chennai itinerary.

1. Sortd (Alwarpet)

A hybrid workspace-café by IT entrepreneur Sathappan Annamalai and designer Kalpana Rao, inside what was once his grandfather's home. Designed by AWOL Design Studio, it mixes private work pods, communal tables, and soft-edged boardrooms with fidget tools for calmer meetings.

The menu leans practical-meets-indulgent, breakfast jars, a Parotta Egg Kalaki, nourish bowls, and drinks like Strawberry Coconut Matcha and The Coconut Coffee Cloud.

2. Roc-A-Coe (Nungambakkam)

Art Deco cocktail bar by NGGA, around the "Rule of Three" in tone and movement, with an omakase-style bar and low, beam-heavy ceilings.

Karl Fernandes' drinks menu nods to Old Madras drinking culture and early 20th-century cocktail books. Food includes shareable Mushroom Empanadas and a Jazzy Pilaf.

3. DUCA (Alwarpet)

Formerly The Summer House Eatery, now a self-designed all-day diner by founder Yoganandan Guruswamy. Warm single-toned walls carry Seinfeld and Friends murals, and the pet-friendly garden seats up to 70.

Standouts as tried are, Mirapakkai bajji, Indianella Channa Sprout Chaat, and a Quesabirria Ramen Bowl.

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4. Rasanai (Besant Nagar)

Conceptualised by Vikram Mohan and designed by ICON Design Studio, this spot draws on South Indian street food culture, akka kadais, mess kitchens, roadside stalls. Details like Chettinad baskets and hand-hammered plates set the tone.

Menu spans Andhra spice, Kerala coconut, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu flavours, Malenad Mutton Rassa, Paal Katti Paniyaram, military hotel-style Mutton Chops, plus a zero-proof drinks program.

5. Glazed & Co. (R.A. Puram)

European-style bakehouse designed by Tanya Mallavarapu, with black-and-white checkered floors, sun-washed yellow walls, and a glass pastry display.

Try the croissant with hot chocolate, Tomato Mozzarella Danish, Tiramisu Latte, or Beetroot Latte.

6. Firo (R.A. Puram)

Modern Indian restaurant from restaurateur Ashish Thadani, designed by Tanya Mallavarapu with fluted brass arches, rattan weaves, and rust-toned wall fabric upstairs.

Chef Ajit Bangera reimagines pan-Indian dishes, bay prawns ceviche, khata meetha chicken bao, a butter-free ‘butter chicken,’ and a Naga black rice pudding with white chocolate crumble.

(All images sourced from the respective restaurants.)