Anna Idli — Restaurant in Nagpur

Edit: Visited again recently and changing my review to 5 star based on it. Food was much better. Great taste. Even though there was waiting and the restaurant was full, the service was relatively quick. They have definitely worked on improving the basics of south Indian food they serve, which was a pleasant surprise. Now I can recommend others to visit as well 😊

Old review:

Came in with a lot of expectations because of hearing great reviews about this place, left the place deeply disappointed. If you are someone who enjoys and is looking for actual authentic South Indian food, just like me, this is not the place for you.

We ordered 3 things in total: 1) Steamed Idli 2) Ghee Podi Masala Dosa 3) Dahi Wada. Idli and Dosa were fresh in preparation which was good.

1. Steamed Idli: Idli was made from Rava instead of fermented rice as it should be in authentic preparation, pretty average overall. It came with 4 chutneys, which are the soul of South Indian cuisine and these were pretty disappointing. The coconut chutney was watery and barely had any taste, let alone coconut. There was some red chutney which was very sweet. The famous red tomato chutney was definitely not made from tomatoes. Green chutney was good. There was Sambar, which was barely average tasting and Rasam which was just a little watered down tomato soup. Overall Idli was 2/5.

2. Ghee Podi Masala Dosa: The only thing good about the dosa was the potato masala. The dosa itself was extremely crispy like a hard papadam. I like crispy dosas but this was so crispy I couldn't grab masala on it because it would just crumble to pieces. And mind you I had not asked for crispy dosa at all. There was some masala applied to the dosa which was definitely not Podi, not even a close approximation of it. I have had podi masala dosa innumerable times in south india, abroad and even in north india but this was something totally different and not good different. Chutney, Rasam and Sambar was like above. Dosa: 1/5

3. Dahi Wada: We had ordered dahi wada with Imli/sweet chutney separate since we wanted a non-sweet dahi wada. They did bring the dahi wada without sweet chutney but it absolutely did not need the sweetness. Dahi had so much sugar in it already that this became our dessert! The wada itself was probably old Medu wada which was pretty hard to break. We ate the wada a bit as dessert and left the dahi in the plate. Dahi Wada: 0/5

Overall, if you have never been to south india, or an actual authentic south indian restaurant, you could probably like the food offered here. Otherwise absolutely do not recommend going here. My humble advice to the owner is: please focus on the food more than the ambience. You have the looks and service covered. Just need to improve the authenticity...

I recently visited Anna Idli at S Ambazari Road – a place I’ve enjoyed in the past for its authentic South Indian feel. This time, though, I felt a noticeable dip in the overall experience.

Starting with the food – the taste is still quite good. I really appreciate that they offer rasam along with sambar and chutney, which is a nice and unique touch. Just make sure to ask for the rasam, because they don’t serve it by default anymore. The flavors were comforting and traditional, which I liked.

But the service was really disappointing. I waited around 10 minutes for someone to come and take my order, and no staff approached until I actually called someone over. Even after that, no one came to check if I needed refills for sambar or chutney, which was surprising. It gave the impression that they were either short-staffed or just not attentive.

Now about the pricing – I found it slightly on the higher side, especially for items like filter coffee. It might’ve felt justified earlier when the ambiance had that fresh and traditional South Indian vibe. But this time, I didn’t get that same vibe. The place felt a bit dull, and the charm I used to enjoy just wasn’t there.

One more thing that really needs improvement is cleanliness – especially the toilets, which were not clean at all. That definitely left a bad impression and is something they should take seriously.

Overall, the food is still good, but the service quality, cleanliness, and overall vibe have gone down. I hope they work on these areas, because Anna Idli used to be a solid go-to for good South Indian food with a...

If you're in Nagpur and craving an authentic, comforting cup of filter coffee, look no further than Anna Idle Restaurant. Known for its simple yet flavorful South Indian fare, Anna Idle offers an exceptional cup of filter coffee that is both a treat for the taste buds and a warm embrace for the soul.

The filter coffee at Anna Idle stands out for its perfect balance of strength and smoothness. Served in the traditional steel tumbler and davara (a wide, shallow cup), the presentation alone transports you to the streets of Chennai or Bangalore, adding to the overall experience. The coffee is rich and aromatic, with a depth of flavor that is not overly bitter, yet robust enough to satisfy any coffee lover. It's clear that the restaurant uses fresh, quality coffee beans and takes the time to brew it to perfection, allowing the strong coffee essence to blend seamlessly with the creamy milk.

What truly sets Anna Idle's filter coffee apart is the texture. It's velvety, with just the right amount of froth, and has a wonderful, lingering aftertaste that encourages you to take that second sip. The coffee is served at the perfect temperature—neither too hot nor too cool—allowing you to enjoy it without rushing.

Whether you're visiting for a hearty breakfast of idlis, vadas, or dosas, or simply stopping by for a coffee break, Anna Idle's filter coffee is a must-try. It's a genuine taste of Southern India, and a testament to the timeless tradition of South Indian coffee brewing. For those who appreciate a good cup of coffee, this is one stop you won’t regret...