Simply South, Jubilee Hills — Restaurant in Hyderabad

Simply South - A Hidden Gem of Authentic South Indian Cuisine

I had the pleasure of visiting Simply South for the first time in September 2023, and it instantly became one of my favorite dining experiences. From the moment you step in, the ambiance exudes a warm and traditional South Indian vibe, perfectly setting the stage for a delightful culinary journey. Despite its seemingly underrated status, perhaps due to its limited menu, Simply South proves that quality triumphs over quantity. Each dish on the menu is crafted with such authenticity and flavor that it compels you to return for more.

One of the standout aspects of Simply South is its commitment to staying true to its South Indian roots. I was particularly impressed by their decision to exclude paneer from the menu—a thoughtful and significant choice. Paneer is traditionally a North Indian ingredient and wasn’t part of South Indian cuisine for decades. This attention to cultural and culinary authenticity reflects the restaurant's dedication to offering a genuine South Indian experience.

A Symphony of Flavors

Every dish I tried here was a testament to their expertise in South Indian cuisine. The Veg Thali is an absolute must-try. It offers a vibrant assortment of dishes that beautifully showcase the diversity of South Indian flavors. Each bite is a harmonious blend of spices and ingredients, leaving you feeling both satisfied and eager for more.

Another highlight was the Mokka Jonna Garelu, a delicacy that struck the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it’s a dish I would recommend without hesitation. The Ragi Sankati, a traditional finger millet dish, was another unique offering. While the flavor was spot on, I feel the texture could be improved slightly—it would be even more enjoyable if it were softer and steamed to perfection.

Exceptional Service and Atmosphere

The service at Simply South is equally praiseworthy. The staff are attentive, polite, and eager to ensure that every guest has a memorable experience. They take the time to explain the dishes, making it an ideal spot for both seasoned South Indian food enthusiasts and those exploring the cuisine for the first time.

Simply South is a true gem that deserves more recognition for its dedication to authentic South Indian cuisine. It’s rare to find a restaurant that prioritizes tradition and authenticity over commercial appeal, and Simply South excels in doing just that. Their focus on quality, flavor, and cultural integrity is what sets them apart.

Whether you're a fan of South Indian food or looking to explore it for the first time, Simply South is a place you shouldn't miss. I’m already looking forward to my next visit, and I hope the restaurant continues to maintain the high standards that make...

There are only a handful of restaurants in the city that serves thalis - south or north India - Simply South is the one that serves South Indian Thali.

The menu at Simply South is segregated based on the South Indian states with their specialities. The no-nonsense South Indian thali at Simply South is most sought of. It's a pure vegetarian thali with a menu that changes every day. You can read the day-specific specials on the board outside the restaurant.

The South Indian thali is a combination of chef special dishes. On that day we had a dry beans fry, a potato saago sort of curry, a kurma, local pappu (dal) along with payasam, curd, flavored rice, white rice, pooris, sambhar and rasam along with a banana. It is a all you can eat unlimited south Indian thali at Simply South.

Right off the bat, I'd say everything on the thali has a balanced taste and the spice levels are controlled. I really enjoyed the kurma and pappu along with pooris. The vegetables cooked to perfection and the aroma along with the taste was spot on. Even the white rice with Sambhar/Rasam was pretty good. I liked it more with the Rasam though. Priced at Rs 339++, the all you can eat vegetarian thali is a must try here.

The Rasa Vada - Rasama Vada - was served in a cute little earthen pot. 3 small vadas drowned in piping hot and tangy rasam. It was pretty refreshing and woke up my taste buds.Alambu Arepu - Mangalorean Mushroom speciality - was also nicely done too. To add on, the buttermilk that was served with refreshing.

For a north Indian like me who doesn't see a lot of South Indian dishes prepared at home, the South India Thali at Simply South was pretty good. It isn't expensive considering it's an all you can eat thali. The ambience is also good, the service could be sped up a little. For more, read my blog post on...

Our IT office in Hyderabad, about a decade ago, had a despicable cafeteria with atrocious food. One of the horrible items that we were fed was a calamity called Tomato Rice. It was just rice with tomatoes cooked for the heck of it. It was 25 Rs. back then. After all these years, thanks to the celebrated chef of Hyderabad, Mr. Chaala (P)Athi Rao and his ridiculously swanky restaurant Simply South, I was re-introduced to the phenomenon of Tomato Rice. A blast from the past. It was such an unpleasant surprise, I cannot tell you. I swear it was the exact same taste. Oh, did I mention that it came disguised as Kodi Pulao, priced at a measly 499 rupees? But who cares? The Gordon Ramsey of South India saw it fit to bestow upon me this blessing of eating tomato rice under the guise of Kodi Pulao. To talk about the "quality" of the rice would be a travesty to the dictionary meaning of the word quality, so I'm not going to attempt. Oh, there was chicken too! I've never felt sadder for a chicken. Their cooking of the chicken was as dead as the chicken itself, they made sure to respect the dead chicken by not bothering it with any flavor or masala or even having it for too long on the stove. The restaurant clearly respects the dearly departed. I also fished around looking for spices cos I couldn't find any while tasting the Kodi Pulao (LOL) and would you believe my utter delight on finding a solitary stick of cinnamon. No other spice, just slabs of dead chicken and droves of tomato. This cinnamon stick, I will treasure for the rest of my life and leave it as an heirloom for my offspring. Simply superb, Simply South,...