Eating Circles — Restaurant in Zone 9 Teynampet

Eating Circles brings the best of Karnataka cuisine to the shores of Chennai. It is largely to do with tiffin variety and a majority of the stuff they serve are very good. The name Eating Circles stems out of the fact that a majority of south indian delicacies are circular in shape such as Idli, Vada, Pongal and even Dosa in few cases. Pricing is the one area they need to work on, because the same taste and quality can be found elsewhere for the below price!

Don’t try neer dosa, Mysore masala dosa.

The place is situated in a central location at CP Ramaswamy Road in Alwarpet. It's more of a quick eatery joint as opposed to a regular fine dining restaurant. But they've made all efforts to make it spic and span and it does project a neat picture. The open kitchen is an add on with the aroma smearing over you. The ambiance is well played. There isn't much to depict in a limited space but they've got a lovely optical illusion of coffee flowing from a tumbler.

Coming to the food, the menu is limited and they stick to their guns. They haven't really flooded it with options to make up the numbers which I think is a good thing as they play to their forte. We started with a refreshing rose milk and mint lemonade twister. The former is simply melt material and is easily one of the best rose milks you could have anywhere in the city. The lemonade drink was kind of different and pleasing with a hint of kesar added in.

We crunched along a number of delectable snack based tiffin items starting with rava idly. I'm not the one who is usually very fond of idli's but this greenish idli was simply superb. The neer dosa was quite good as well. The thatta idly could have been a tad better. It looked appealing but didn't really blow away in taste. All the dosa based stuff were very good be it the red rice dosa, mysore masala dosa, special butter dosa or the open masala dosa. The open masala dosa was one of my personal favourites being done up in jaw dropping fashion.

Other than the siege of dosa's, we also tried Khara bath pongal based on sabudana and it was arresting in taste with a subtle hint of black pepper. We also tried Medhu Vada which was reasonable, a crispy mettur vada and also Mangalore buns. We ended our eating encounter with an aromatically rich filter coffee served in traditional steel tumbler. The accompaniments in the form of chutneys were very good and I took a fond liking to the Bangalore sambar which is mildly sweet.

On the whole, it was a very pleasing experience. The rates are nominal and more importantly gives you your moneys worth. The service is quick and you will get your stuff in a jiffy.

If you like tiffin items and want to try them the Karnataka style, 'Eating Circles' Gate should certainly welcome you with open arms and will definitely ensure that you go back delightfully happy after consuming some really top...

🌟 Highlights from Food & News Sources

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🗣️ What Real Diners Say

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✅ Pros & Cons

✅ Pros⚠️ Cons Highly praised staple items – buttery & crispy dosas, soft idlis, rose milkSelf‑service ordering can feel inconvenient during busy hours Good value for quality (₹250–₹500 for 2)Parking can be a challenge Friendly service, quick turnaroundAC issues reported occasionally

📝 Final Verdict

If you're craving genuine Karnataka tiffin—especially Mysore/Benne dosa, neer dosa, thattu idli, and sweet sambar—Eating Circles does it right.

It’s a self-service eatery with a cozy vibe, ideal for a quick, flavorful breakfast or evening snack. Expect a bit of a wait, limited seating, and no added frills, but the food quality is widely praised.

Pricing is modestly above standard local tiffin spots, but most reviewers feel it’s worth every rupee for the authenticity and taste.

💡 Tips Before You Go

Arrive early on weekends or busy times to avoid queues.

Be ready to order & pay in advance, then find a seat (or stand).

Don’t miss: Butter/Mysuru Dosa, Thattu Idli (with ghee/podi), Neer Dosa, and their Kaju Rose Milk.

If AC comfort matters, you might want to check timing, as it’s had occasional downtime.

Bottom line: Eating Circles remains the go-to place in Chennai for Karnataka-style breakfast/snacks — hearty, authentic, and reliably delicious. If you're in town and craving that Bengaluru tiffin fix, it’s definitely...

I recently visited Eating Circle on a Sunday, attracted by their claim of serving Karnataka style breakfast. I had the opportunity to try a variety of dishes, including Ghee dosa, red rice dosa, Vada, and pongal.

The dosa at Eating Circle was quite good, with a satisfying taste. However, the pongal was average and didn't stand out as anything special. It was difficult to compare the overall breakfast experience to authentic Karnataka style breakfast, as it fell somewhere in between.

On the positive side, the service was excellent. The staff was attentive and provided a pleasant dining experience. However, one aspect that dampened the experience was the pricing of the food. The prices were on the higher side, and considering the overall value for money, it didn't quite meet expectations.

While it offered decent food and great service, there are certainly other moderately priced restaurants that can provide a similar experience at a better value. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, it might be worth exploring other alternatives in the area.

Overall, Eating Circle has room for improvement in terms of pricing to align better with the overall value provided. However, if you're willing to spend a premium more it can still be a...