01
Coffee, remixed
Ippai Coffee
RA Puram
An inventive drinks stop that takes everyday coffee in a new direction, with slushies and fizzy drinks too.
GO FOR
Coconut-mint coffee · Blood-orange slush
NEIGHBOURHOOD 04 / CHENNAI
RA Puram
ஆர். ஏ. புரம்
Green spaces & riverside calm
A slower city day, from café tables to green pockets and performance spaces.
Tholkappia Poonga
13 places to explore
Includes the adjoining MRC Nagar and Chamiers Road areas. Canvas and Les Amis are also listed under Alwarpet on dining platforms.
COFFEE, CONVERSATION & SOMETHING SWEET
Cafés
08
01 / 03
02
Local flavours, new form
Pan Sauce Poetry
RA Puram
Indian-inspired café plates play with familiar flavours, from mutton chukka to mango pickle.
GO FOR
Parotta mutton-chukka tacos · Chettinad fish fingers
03
Bungalow escape
The Tuscan Table
4th Main Road, RA Puram
A gothic-style bungalow, vintage details and house-baked breads make this an atmospheric stop.
GO FOR
House-baked sourdough · Croissants
04
An old favourite
Chamiers Café
Chamiers Road / RA Puram edge
An established breakfast-and-cake stop for an unhurried morning or a familiar afternoon treat.
GO FOR
Carrot cake · Blueberry cheesecake · Bruschetta
05
Across the menu
Canvas
Chamiers Road / Austin Nagar
A photogenic space with Japanese, Asian and Italian dishes, just along the neighbourhood’s edge.
GO FOR
Japanese and Asian plates · The interiors
06
Gelato stop
Les Amis
Chamiers Road / Alwarpet edge
Gelato, waffles and coffee for a dessert-led outing, with vegan options on the menu.
GO FOR
Gelato · Waffles · Coffee
07
Neighbourhood catch-up
The FreshlyMade
2nd Main Road, RA Puram
A neighbourhood resto-café bringing Thai, Italian and Continental dishes together with desserts.
GO FOR
Café plates · Desserts
08
Coffee with character
Glazed & Co
RA Puram
A café pick for desserts and the tiger latte art featured in local food coverage.
GO FOR
Desserts · Tiger latte art
WHEN A PROPER MEAL IS THE PLAN
Restaurants
03
02 / 03
01
Chinese fine dining
China XO
The Leela Palace, MRC Nagar
Chinese dining with a live dim sum station, Peking duck oven and views towards the Bay of Bengal.
GO FOR
Dim sum · Peking duck · Seaside dining
A restaurant reservation is recommended.
02
Indian fine dining
Jamavar
The Leela Palace, MRC Nagar
A formal Indian dining room for regional dishes and an occasion worth lingering over.
GO FOR
Indian specialities · A celebratory meal
03
Relaxed hotel dining
Broken Bridge Cafe
Somerset Greenways, MRC Nagar
A sit-down dining option with North Indian and Continental food at Somerset Greenways.
GO FOR
Continental plates · Crab cake · Desserts
WALKS, CULTURE & TIME WELL SPENT
Places to hang out
02
03 / 03
01
Eco park
Tholkappia Poonga
D.G.S. Dinakaran Salai, RA Puram
The restored Adyar eco park offers a green setting for nature walks and guided visits.
MAKE A PLAN FOR
Nature walks · Urban ecology
Check the official booking site for entry slots or walking passes.
02
Culture & performances
Muthamizh Peravai
Near Adyar Bridge, RA Puram
The T.N. Rajarathinam Kalai Arangam hosts cultural programmes and literary gatherings. Plan around a scheduled event.
MAKE A PLAN FOR
Cultural programmes · Literary events
Check upcoming events and entry arrangements.
Location photo: Tholkappia Poonga · Mohan Babu V / Wikimedia Commons