Chettinad | Indian Restaurant Spandau — Restaurant in Berlin

I had been looking forward to revisiting Chettinadu after some great past experiences with South Indian food, but this visit was a real disappointment.

We started by asking for masala dosa, samosas, and chai. To my surprise, chai wasn’t available, which itself was a big letdown for a South Indian restaurant, so we settled for coffee instead. When the coffee arrived, the lady serving said, “Two cappuccinos?” I told her we ordered Indian coffee, not cappuccino, and she seemed confused, asking what the difference was. The guy who had taken the order said something like, “It’s not cappuccino; we’ve customized it to suit the Indian palate.”

When we tasted it, it was unmistakably cappuccino. It felt like an attempt to trick customers into believing they were getting something else, which was very disappointing.

The food didn’t help either. The masala dosa was limp, not crispy at all, almost like a piece of cloth. The samosas looked and tasted like frozen packets similar to the ones sold at the next door grocery store, Asia Might, which is actually owned by the restaurant, rather than freshly made. We wanted to order more items like Kerala parotta and beef, but then we were worried the parotta might also come from a frozen packet, so we refrained from ordering.

Overall, this visit was far below the standards I remembered. Chettinadu has the potential to shine given its cuisine, but this experience left me frustrated and...

Chettinad Indian Restaurant provided an extraordinary culinary journey during their Diwali Virundhu celebration, and it was an experience worth savoring. The ambiance was festive, adorned with vibrant Diwali decor, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The Diwali special menu was an absolute delight! Starting with the Milagu Rasam that awakened the taste buds with its perfect blend of spices, we ventured into the Chicken Lollipop – a crispy, flavorful appetizer that set the tone for the evening. The Chicken Pallipalayam brought back memories of authentic Chettinad flavors, and the Biriyani Rice was a fragrant masterpiece, leaving us longing for more.

The star of the evening was the Mutton Kolumbu - a rich and aromatic curry that showcased the chef's expertise. Complementing the savory dishes, the Pineapple Kesari was a sweet surprise, and the Bread Halwa was a perfect finale, evoking nostalgia for the streets of Chennai.

Special commendation to Arun and Binu, whose exceptional service added an extra layer of enjoyment to our evening. Their attention to detail, warmth, and eagerness to ensure a memorable dining experience were truly commendable.

Chettinad Indian Restaurant is a hidden gem that not only serves authentic Chettinad cuisine but also offers an ambiance that transports you to the heart of South India. I highly recommend this restaurant to all food enthusiasts seeking a genuine and delightful...

We had previously enjoyed a great breakfast here and were genuinely excited to return for lunch. Based on that positive experience, we even invited friends and traveled 30–40 minutes specifically to try their Kerala-style dishes. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a massive letdown.

The food was bland, tasteless, and completely unrecognizable from what one would expect from South Indian cuisine. The so-called “roasted chicken curry” tasted like it was drowned in some generic Chinese-style sauce — absolutely no resemblance to Kerala flavors. The biryani was, without exaggeration, the worst I’ve ever had in my life.

What’s even more frustrating is that there was no warning or mention that they didn’t have a South Indian chef that day or that the food would be prepared in a completely different style. If we had known, we would never have ordered, let alone invited guests or made the long trip.

The restaurant’s name and menu suggest a South Indian specialty, but what we received was anything but. Totally misleading and deeply...