Dahlia Restaurant — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

Dahlia truly feels like a home away from home. After seeing a quirky reel on instagram about this place, I found myself eagerly walking up to this hidden gem in the streets of Nungambakkam. It’s not everyday that you can walk into a restaurant that not only serves authentic Japanese food but has also thoroughly imbibed the essence of Japan. Right from paper origami to Japanese news playing on the little TV above the entrance, all the elements within this restaurants will transport you to a slowed down and quaint version on Japan - all in the heart of Chennai. What particularly stood out to me was the exceptional service - a cheerful aunty ushered me in and despite not having a reservation she made sure that I found a comfortable spot to sit in the midst of the bustling Sunday crowd.

Dahlia boasts an extensive menu for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. While I was tempted to order everything off the menu, on the advice of the aunty who was serving my table, I opted for the Miso Vegetable Soup and the California Maki Roll (both vegetarian dishes). There’s this scene in the movie Ratatouille where a food critic takes one bite of the dish and is instantly transported back to childhood - that’s exactly how I felt when I tried the Miso Soup. Dahlia is really not kidding around with this little pot of veggies and flavour - it’s an absolute must have if you prefer wholesome, flavourful dishes.

Next up was the Maki Roll and it certainly did not disappoint. It is one of their bestsellers and I can now confidently vouch for it too. Perfectly soft sushi with crunchy vegetables and sprinkled with tempura. It’s divinity on a plate. The real winner was the wasabi - sharp, fragrant and add just the right amount of zing to the sushi.

There’s nothing about this place that I didn’t love. Whenever I visit Chennai again, I know that I’ll always have this home away...

So, we've been hearing about Dahlia Nungambakkam in our foodie circles and been wanting to try it out.Finally we landed up at this quaint little Asian vibe place. It has a very homely seating arrangement and once you enter you will definitely forget you are in Chennai! I loved the ambience and service.

What we Ordered : 🍱🍲🍛🍜🍝🍣🍤

🍣 California Maki 🍤 Prawn Tempura 🥩 Oyako Udan Pork 🍜 Chicken Noodle Soup

🍝🍛🍱 Always Hungry rating - 8/10

Total bill value - ₹ 3020

California Maki roll : We are sushi lovers and been hunting for a good sushi place in Chennai and WE FINALLY FOUND IT!!The sushi roll had 8 pieces and were pretty huge. Each bite satisfied my sushi cravings as the texture of the rice was perfect , it didnt fall off when I picked it up with my chopsticks. The flavor was SPOT ON...and I am definitely visiting again to try their other sushi options!!

Prawn Tempura - I always end up ordering this in a Japanese restaurant It was so fresh and Not at all OILY!! It tasted like a piece of heaven in my mouth! Loved it!! YUMMMM O YUMMM

Oyako Udon Pork - This one was a creamy rice bowl with scrambled eggs and onions with chunks of pork. It is an authentic Japanese dish and it is a very very mildly flavoured , sweet main course. It was pretty tasty and different. No meat smell and cooked perfectly. It’s served along with a cup of Miso Soup.

Chicken Noodle Soup- This was a huge bowl of soup with boiled chicken , veggies and thick rice noodles. This has a tiny bit of a fishy/oyster sauce kinda smell. I wouldnt recommend it if you are not a seafood smell lover. The flavor is extremely mild and it is a huge portion will be sufficient for two. I wasn’t a big fan of this one.

However my experience was fabulous here! loved the service and ambience to bits!! I am definitely going back many many times to try their ramen bowls and MOREE SUSHIIIII...

Dahlia is truly a hidden gem in Chennai for anyone who loves authentic Japanese cuisine. Nestled in a quiet corner in the most unassuming building in our beloved bustling city; the restaurant exudes a cozy, intimate vibe that makes you feel like you've stepped into a traditional Japanese eatery.

The food here is exceptional—every dish is crafted with care, and you can taste the authenticity in each bite. The sushi and sashimi were incredibly fresh, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to come by. The miso soup was a perfect start, warm and flavorful, setting the tone for the meal.

The tempura was light and crispy, not overly greasy, and paired beautifully with the dipping sauce. The ramen was a standout for me—perfectly cooked noodles in a rich, umami-laden broth that hit all the right notes. The yakitori skewers were another highlight, grilled to perfection and seasoned just right.

The service was impeccable. The staff is warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable about the menu, making excellent recommendations based on our preferences. They were attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our experience was nothing short of delightful.

I have been coming to Dahlia for almost 20 years! For anyone looking to explore authentic Japanese cuisine in Chennai, Dahlia is a must-visit. I can’t wait to return and try more dishes from their extensive menu.

Highly recommend to all food enthusiasts—you won’t be...