Chennai Airport’s Food Scene: From Sparse to Serviceable

Vanakkam, fellow travellers! As your friendly hobbyist food blogger, I’ve been keeping tabs on the dining options at Chennai Airport over the years. While we’re not exactly spoilt for choice compared to other metro airports in India or international hubs, I must say there’s been a noticeable improvement. We’ve gone from having barely any options to a somewhat decent spread. Let me walk you through what I found on my recent travel.

Domestic Terminal: A Step in the Right Direction

The Domestic Terminal, once a barren landscape for food lovers, has made some strides. As you clear security and enter the central court, you’ll find a handful of quick-service options:

• Krispy Kreme: For a sweet treat
• Maggi Noodles: Our trusted 2-minute saviour
• Cafeccino: For your caffeine fix
• Krug & Co.: Offering popcorn and filter coffee

The terminal now boasts two food courts, each with a few choices:

East Food Court (to your left when facing the tarmac):

• Swamy’s Snackbar
• Squeez: For fresh fruit juices
• Curry Kitchen
• British Empire Bar

A word of caution: This food court is adjacent to the smoking lounge, so be prepared for a strong whiff of cigarette smoke.

West Food Court:

• Subway
• Pizza Hut
• French Loaf

Both food courts feature:

• Madras Coffee House
• WoW Momo

For those seeking a sit-down meal, the first floor offers:

• Copper Chimney
• iD: A South Indian vegetarian restaurant (I’ve found this reliable over the years)

Beyond the Terminal: A Few More Options

If you have time to spare, there are a few more choices outside:

Aerohub Mall (accessible via a covered bridge):

• Starbucks

Food court on the top floor with:

• Domino’s
• California Burrito
• Popeye’s
• Other outlets (mostly non-veg)

At the curbside:

• Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant

The nearby Metro station (about a 10-minute walk) has:

• A2B Vegetarian Restaurant
• A few other eateries

International Terminal: Limited Choices

The new International Terminal, unfortunately, still lags behind in food options:

• A2B Vegetarian Restaurant
• Masala Kitchen (hidden away in the gates on the east side)
• Idli.com (on the west side)

In conclusion, while Chennai Airport has improved from its previous state of having extremely limited dining options, it still has a long way to go to match the variety and quality found at other major Indian airports or international hubs. The current offerings, while moderately better, are still basic compared to what frequent flyers might expect at a metropolitan airport.

That said, you’re less likely to go hungry now than you were a few years ago. Whether you’re after a quick snack or a proper meal, you should be able to find something to tide you over until your flight.

I’m curious to hear about your experiences at Chennai Airport’s food courts. Have you noticed the changes? Any standout meals or disappointments? Do drop a comment and let me know!

Safe travels and happy eating (within reason)!