Ratna Cafe, Kilpauk

Dhvinay PV 12 months ago

Residing close to such a legendary restaurant, have frequented the place in different occasions.

It has seating for about 50 people in an air-conditioned space with elevator access so is old-age friendly. There are about 3-4 tables with street-view and I like these :)

The service is most of the times decently fast and courteous. Payment can be made via upi, card or cash. Reducing a star here because after our last visit for a quick lunch at about 2.30, my wife told me that she overheard the manager guy (or whoever was with a white shirt shouting at the staff) commenting like “eating for 200rs and staying inside for the AC”. She heard it but didn’t see him pointing to us- and to this element of doubt, the four stars still remain. It was hot outside, agreed, we came in about 2:30, billed out at 2:52, had sambar rice, tamarind rice and a masala pappad, and irrespective of anything, such a comment, if it were for us, and would have been told to my face, it would have created a deep ignorance and hatred for the guy/restaurant. But having employees with that thought process is anyway disastrous from my perspective.

Will update the review of each of the dishes in the review, or post a photo update, but for this review will cover the below items.
- Sambar rice- my go to lunch from here. Tasty and economical for a quick lunch outing.
- Tamarind rice- the hit of tamarind was good. Fresh and tasty.
- Roasted masala pappad- avoid. Had a bit of un roasted portions and isn’t a greatly built dish. Note: the roasted masala pappad in the menu is 50rs, but their billing system had a fault as of 16th May 2023 that it was billing it at Rs.65.
- Dahi poori- good. Not the creamiest curd, but still tasty.
- Phulka and paneer butter masala combo- expensive for the portion size. But was tasty.
- Podi idli- not good- avoidable. This is clearly not what they are good at.
- Ras-malai- yummy :)
- Chappathi set- good set of side dishes, good for a light dinner.
- Paneer tikka- nice succulent paneer, decent masala and well done.
- Bhatoora- was good. The channa was a bit too spicy (not hotness, but amount of masala)
- Mini tiffin- a killer deal between 7-9 in the weekdays morning. Impossible value for one’s hard earned money.

To conclude- a well maintained restaurant with comfortable interior and decent amount of covered parking which has expensive as well as economic options for one to go and explore, most of which are tasty and worth a try.

mohammed khazraj 14 months ago

Waaoo what a coffee.. Loved their coffee. Samabar idly is a must try. Idly is flooded with sambar. Ordered podi ghee dosa, dosa was a bit over cooked. Must say about their service, Mr Sunil Kumar.. he was like Eveready, you order and food will be on the table????????????????????????

Archana Jayant 16 months ago

Had heard a lot about Ratna Cafe in France from a Tamilian friend and I finally got to try their delicacy in Chennai.

I had a Ghee Roast Masala Dosai, Onion Rawa Dosai, Idli Sambhar and hot filter coffee.