That Mallu Joint — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

Situated right above Starbucks, this place is a hidden gem in T.Nagar. Been to this place ever since they soft launched it, and it only seems to be getting better each time. This is my third visit to this restaurant with my friends and hence we decided to visit this place unanimously for dinner on a Sunday. Parking for cars here can be a hassle, however since there's Valet parking, there shouldn't be much of a problem. The restaurant is pretty large and the ambience is contemporary, well done and looks more like a resto lounge. It could be my perception but the setup of the interiors bear a resemblance to "Kappa Chakka Kandhari". The staff were courteous and humble. We were handed out the menu. The items on the menu were limited but it makes sure it has something for everyone. We settled for #SeerFishFry, #MuttonChaaps, #KozhiNeiRoast, #WheatParotta, and #Appam. This is also one of the few places that serve food on banana leaf which is neatly cut out in the shape of your plates. The Kozhi Nei Roast seems to be the signature dish of this place as it is unlike anything I have tasted elsewhere. The chicken was tender, juicy and marinated well. The mutton chaaps was very delicious too. The pieces were very soft and tender. The gravy was very thick and rich in spices and it certainly goes well with both appam and parotta. The appam was fluffy and soft and the taste of coconut milk just makes it all the more tempting. The wheat parotta was crispy, layered and was delicious as well. The final delight to our dinner came in the form of #TenderCoconut (or #Elaneer) ice cream. It was divine and the best I had tasted in the recent times. This is one dessert that I would blindly recommend everyone to try. Was amazed by the pricing of the dishes. They are rightly priced for the quantity served and my friends and I had a debate on the quantity served. But I think this idea seems to be working. Increase in quantity would lead to an increase in price thereby making it pricey. Just for the record, my friends who visited this place with me are not from Kerala, and yet they loved the cuisine and have been visiting it regularly ever since. Overall a place to visit to taste the authentic Kerala cuisine and for their Tender coconut Ice cream. But sadly, they run out of this dessert more often than not, by dinner time. I could taste it only twice out of the three...

great Kerala food. sugar appam with ghee and tender coconut ice cream was delicious. The Mallu Joint is a popular Malayalam restaurant in Chennai, offering a delightful culinary experience for those craving authentic Kerala cuisine. Located in a vibrant neighborhood, this restaurant brings the flavors and aromas of Kerala to the heart of Chennai.

The Mallu Joint specializes in traditional Malayali dishes, known for their rich flavors, generous use of spices, and emphasis on fresh ingredients. The menu features a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

Some of the must-try dishes at The Mallu Joint include appam with stew, a fluffy rice pancake served with a delectable stew made with vegetables or meat. Another popular choice is the traditional Kerala-style biryani, prepared with fragrant rice, tender meat, and a blend of aromatic spices. For seafood lovers, the restaurant offers an array of mouthwatering options like karimeen pollichathu (pearl spot fish) and meen curry (fish curry) prepared with the distinctive flavors of Kerala.

The ambiance of The Mallu Joint reflects the warmth and hospitality of Kerala. The decor is reminiscent of traditional Kerala homes, with elements such as wooden furniture, earthy tones, and subtle cultural touches. The restaurant provides a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for diners to enjoy their meals.

Alongside the delicious food, The Mallu Joint often hosts cultural events and performances, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions and music of Kerala. These events contribute to creating a lively and engaging dining experience.

Whether you're a Malayali missing the taste of home or someone eager to explore the flavors of Kerala cuisine, The Mallu Joint in Chennai offers an authentic and satisfying dining experience. With its delectable dishes, warm ambiance, and cultural touches, it has become a go-to destination for Malayali food enthusiasts and those seeking a taste of Kerala in the...

First lunch of the year, and if I had to sum it up - Terrible Experience. I have no idea why this place has 4.4 rating on Zomato inspite of so many average to bad reviews.

Reservation - Had to call so many times to get a confirmation. Clearly asked if they could 8 people in a same table (Elderly too.) However, all that they have is a high bar stool seat, I have no idea on how to seat them.

We finally got a table where on 6 could be seated. Sat there cramped and the start by itself isn't tyat great.

Order - The person who takes the order doesn't know much about the menu. They have just memorized it. Everything that you'd asked for doesn't get delivered. You need to keep asking for the order to be delivered. We had to cancel the fish ordered, as it didn't even reach us until we finished the main course.

Food - Below average. Except for the Fish Curry, Moor Curry, and Pappadam ( doesn't take much effort there) none of the others were worth the price.

Service - haven't seen such shoddy service and staff in the recent times. No active listening, they don't worry about the customer, no idea on how to manage crowd, sent wrong bill twice and were called after we reached the left as even the 2nd receipt was wrongly quoted too. Special mention to Rukesh, who made no efforts to address any issue.

And, they down right denied to even give us boxes to pack the leftovers. I haven't seen any restaurant in Chennai denying it. Never, ever stepping into the restore; even if this is going to be last mallu joint in Chennai.

What these so called restaurants needs to understand is - people are here to have a good time. If they aren't interested in serving people or short of staff, not to take reservations. It just is not professional.

#ThatMalluJoint #WorstExperienceEver #KeralaCuisine #VegMeals #MeenCurry #ChemmeenCurry #MeenMangaCurry #NethiliKurumaulagu #MuttonBiriyani #ErachiRoast #Payasam...