Nalla Thambi Mess — Restaurant in Puducherry

Sometimes, you walk into a restaurant hungry… and leave with a memory. That’s exactly what happened when I stepped into Nalla Thambi Mess on a buzzing Saturday afternoon around 1:30 PM. The place was alive with the aroma of spices and the hum of happy diners. We were asked to wait for 10 minutes, and honestly, with the warmth and gentleness of the staff, it felt like no wait at all.

By the time we sat down, hunger had taken over. I went for Fish Meals, while my partner ordered their signature Chicken Kari Soru — and this, my friends, is where the magic began.

The Kari Soru arrived in a beautifully rustic sand plate, steam curling into the air like a promise. Hot rice, lovingly mixed with authentic Kongu-style chicken gravy, topped with onions gently roasted in oil… the fragrance alone could win awards. The chicken was all boneless — tender, juicy, and soaking in flavor, cooked so perfectly it almost melted in the mouth.

Every bite stayed warm till the end, thanks to the sand plate’s village-style touch. The sides — cabbage poriyal, crisp appalam, and a complimentary omelet — added a homely comfort that wrapped around you like nostalgia.

My Fish Meals were simple and satisfying, but the real star was the Chettinad-style chicken gravy I ordered alongside — fiery, bold, and exactly the punch my plate needed.

And just when I thought I was done, they brought a chilled glass of buttermilk and a sweet little cup of dhal payasam — the kind of ending that makes you sigh in happiness.

If you want to experience a true South Indian flavor blast, this place is a must. It won’t fail you — in fact, it might just make you fall in love with Kongu cuisine. I’m already counting the days until I can go back for that Chicken...

Hands down this was my worst experience at any eatery. I usually rate eateries based only on the quality of their food, but I'm making an exception for this place.

Went at 10 am on a Sunday and the place has four tables each with a capacity to seat 4 people. A couple of the tables had couples occupying only one side of their tables, but I was still asked to wait. After waiting/wasting 20 mins, I was told that they were closing. The food only matters if you feel like eating, when the service kills the appetite, what's the point.

Never going back and never recommending them.

Edit : Based on the reply from the owner, if they have 4 tables and 4 individual diners show up separately, the place will be at full capacity because everyone deserves the same level of privacy. That makes sense. Hope people who visit them in the future make a note of this and insist on private tables because that's what they do to "try to provide the best possible service". As for me, I prefer businesses that treat their customers sensibly.

It's astounding that they would rather prefer to stand by their actions than just asking their customers whether they would mind sharing the table which is actually what happens everywhere except places that offer a fine dining experience with reservations. And this place is not setup to provide that experience.

Best wishes to...

Disappointing Experience at Nalla Thambi Meals

I recently visited Nalla Thambi Meals with high expectations, but my experience was extremely disappointing. Despite the reputation for authentic meals, the quantity served was shockingly inadequate for a satisfying dining experience.

I ordered a meal (attached bill and pictures), but the portions were minimal—barely enough to call it a complete meal. I had to repeatedly ask for refills, and even then, the response was slow and disinterested. When you're paying for a full meal, you expect both quality and quantity, and this place failed on both fronts.

To add to the frustration, the staff seemed indifferent to the issue. The ambiance and presentation were decent, but what's the point if the core offering—food—does not meet even the basic standards?

I strongly urge the management to rethink their serving sizes and customer service approach. For a place with such promise, it's disappointing to see corners being cut at the expense of customer satisfaction. Until changes are made, I cannot recommend Nalla Thambi Meals to anyone looking for a wholesome and fulfilling...