Hotel Mamalla Bhavan ( Pure Vegetarian Restaurant ) — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

A landmark restaurant catering to Indian families and groups (judging by the huge tables). Finally, I found a place that offers capatis and doesn't even try to offer dozens of dishes. At lunch there were very limited choices. No menu. Options are South Indian set meal and whatever else insiders know is normal at lunch. As there is no menu and I do not speak Tamil, I am lost.

I don't like a huge mound of rice and six or so tiny accompaniments, mostly soupy. Tamil food here is high carb and very soupy, unlike home-made Tamil Sri Lankan like my adopted family mother in Malaysia makes. But this will do in a pinch. I ask for vegetables, except for potatoes and the watery veg kurma, my only choice is potatoes. Grrr...

capati X3 (real atta, and dry - which in my book is good. Triangular shape gas me questioning though it is really parotha. Not as greasy as that though) veg kurma (dipping) X2 tiny bowls. Second visit too much chili Tea, black dahi vada

INR185 + 8% tip [Update: next day tried an evening meal of two light meals...

Rava masala dosa: poor taste - too oily, not crispy enough and cocianut chutney very watery (no mustard seeds either). A heck of a lot of filling, maybe that explains the extra charge. Server nusunderstood my gesture meant to indicate 'crispy')

Idli: really poor taste. Wasn't fresh? Perhaps why better to eat in morning.]

I found the server's behaviour strange. After she presented the bill and I decided to have more, and did order more, she stood very closeby scowling as if I was some inconvenience or trying to intimidate me to finish my food. It is as if there is a big rush to eat and leave (even when there were plenty of empty tables). What is this inhospitable whisking away of steel water tumblers? In Istanbul people sit for hours drinking tea. Who wants to be watched while they eat as if the waiter, or waitress in this case, is a policeman?

Visit 3: staff behaves very weird, as if as a customer I am...

This was when I visited Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram located in Tamil Nadu. This temple is surrounded by its famous beach and many movies has been shot there, also one of my favourite bollywood movie 2 States was filmed there. It a UNESCO world heritage site, famous because of the group of monuments. Vishnu Temple, Rathas, Mandalas, Caves and beach are few places you can't miss if you like historical sites.

We were looking somewhere to have lunch so I found this authentic and lovely provincial place named Mamalla Bhavan. Not very upscale and fancy place, but if you want to experience the local food, then this is the best place for you. The food was divine and my words cannot do any justice to it. Pure vegetarian recipes. Interior design of this restaurant is historical looks Full of historical image of Mahabalipuram. Staff are very friendly. Must visit if you are on...

The Mamalla Bhavan is the first restaurant in Mamallapuram, which was started in 1964. The restaurant is 55 years old and still serves to be on the the fast moving in Mahabalipuram.

The ambience is spacious and long, built in one of the old styles. What amazed me was the the ambience. It was built completely using pure marbles.

We were here for breakfast & dinner, kept our orders pretty simple. We ordered for a portion of Idly, Pongal, Poori for Breakfast! For Dinner-Onion Dosa, Plain dosa and one plate of vada. Dosa was fresh and crispy, as usual and the idlies were soft and preservatives free. Its a pure vegetarian restaurant and they accept cards/UPI/Cash it is pocket friendly!

Definitely one of the must visits when you tour...