Not many Chennaites know that it was a man from Mathura who set up this institution 70 years ago. Until recently, the restaurant's cult status ensured diners would make the trek through Triplicane's busy streets to sample their ‘sambar idly'. It's now expanded into a chain and a whole new generation of fans is figuring out whether it's the grainy ‘idlys' or their legendary sambar (a proprietary recipe) that is the secret of their success.

Ratna Cafe is one of the finest examples of value for money. At a modest price of Rs. 50, you can get your hands on one of the tastiest dosas in all of Chennai. (Image: Instagram/basheer_gulsum)

While there are several outlets across the city, Ratna Café’s iconic Triplicane space remains a favourite amongst Chennai’s residents. Enjoy a morning out at the beach, or visit the Parthasarathy temple, and stroll through the charming, old-world streets of Triplicane as you dodge the Kolams and oncoming cows and take in the aroma of filter coffee wafting in from people’s homes until you come to this little functional restaurant. It’s not only about the celebrated drink’s taste in itself (which is fantastic, of course), but the entire experience.

If you and your friends are visiting Chennai, then you cannot miss out on the good food they have to offer and the best time to dig in is at breakfast.Chennai has a number of South Indian eating joints and some of the ones worth checking out include Ratna Café and Saravana Bhavan. Here you can dig into fluffy ghee podi idlis, crispy thin dosas and hot pongal. Don’t forget to wash it down with filter coffee.

Our first stop of the day is to Triplicane, an area that fascinates me immensely for its heritage, its architecture, its melange of cultures and the food. I want to stop at the Parthasarathy temple for a quick darshan and the puliodharai, but we are a bit late. So we say a silent prayer and continue to one of the oldest Chennai eateries, located in Triplicane, a landmark by itself – Ratna Cafe.

A Madras landmark, Ratna Cafe has been serving deliciousness for nearly seven decades. Generations of locals have flocked to this eatery for their classic South Indian dishes, especially after a refreshing stroll along the nearby Marina Beach. Their steaming idlis bathed in aromatic sambar and light, crispy vadas are just a taste of the traditional treats that keep people returning for more.

One of the old age restaurants that have been around for a long time now, Ratna Cafe is known to serve up some of the best idli sambars for its patrons. It is famous for its sambar and the dosas and South Indian fare that they serve day in and day out. This is a place you need to go to for its traditional value and their customers swear by the place over the many years that they serve.

A well-established and beloved restaurant chain in Chennai, Ratna Cafe; offers lip smacking South Indian dishes like idli sambar, utappam, ghee masala dosa and much more. The simple, no-nonsense setting with professional service, it offers a cozy and friendly atmosphere. With an extremely affordable menu, this place is known for being a go-to spot for locals and tourists alike!

An institution in Chennai, Ratna Cafe opened doors almost 70 years ago and has continued to delight generations of customers. The eatery offers steaming sambar idli, light-yet-crisp vadais and other traditional fare that has many locals making a pit-stop after their walk on the nearby Marina Beach. Address: Triplicane High Rd, Triplicane, Chennai

However today this restaurant has people who converge here from various parts of the city to just enjoy the quality of the sambar iddli, which is a very famous item. They have a small outlet at the Chennai Central Railway Station. The quality of food served at this restaurant is so good that there is such a huge crowd in the evenings.

Its famous Sambar smoked idlis have drawn large crowds since its opening in the 1900s. Ratna Café employs different chefs for different delicacies making it a truly mesmerizing and personal affair. Their menu includes a variety of traditional dishes such as parottas, basudi, rasmalai, vadas, dosas, jalebi, and filter coffee.

An organization in Chennai, Ratna Cafe opened doors 70 years ago and has endured to pride generations of clients. The Thai eatery offers steaming sambar idli, light-yet-crisp vadas and different conventional fare. That has many locals creating a pit-stop once their stroll on the close to dockage seaside.

They maintain the authentic taste of filter coffee and their trademark idli-sambar with the secret recipes handed down over the years by their founder and if suddenly your mouth is watery now, make sure to visit this legendary cafe once more. Image Source: Ratna Cafe

A landmark by itself this café is one of oldest in Chennai, started in 1948 by triloknath the family has continued the legacy. The dosas here are crispy golden roasted in ghee, oh so delicious!. The sambar too is mouth-watering, a must visits if you visit Chennai!

Location: Triplicane, $ Ratna Café is a unique restaurant, crowded all the time. And mainly people come here for the side dish, sambar, then for the main dish – idli. Ever since it was started, its trump card has been its sambhar with soaked idli.

Ratna Café dates back to 1948 and it is one of the most popular places among the locals in Chennai. You will honestly have the best vegetarian breakfast in Chennai at Ratna Café!. They are known for their idli sambar and huge dosai.

This small cafe in Teynampet has been making wondrous filter coffee for ages. It stands the test of time and still continues to brew some amazing coffee for us.