Dining at Madras Chronicle: A foodie’s stop in Mahabalipuram

When exploring a UNESCO world heritage site like Mahabalipuram, you expect to marvel at ancient monuments and scenic beaches, not stumble upon a delightful vegetarian bistro. Yet, that’s exactly what happened during my recent shortcation. On a serendipitous autorickshaw ride back from the iconic Shore Temple, I spotted a cosy restaurant tucked away on Beach Road: Madras Chronicle. Intrigued by its promise of 100% vegetarian waffles and pancakes, I made a mental note to return for dinner—and I’m so glad I did!

Located conveniently on the small road opposite the Mahabalipuram Bus Depot and near the Perumal Temple, Madras Chronicle is hard to miss. This charming eatery is housed in a converted old home, blending tradition with modernity. You can dine inside, enjoying the cool comfort of air conditioning, or, like us, opt for the open-air patio in the courtyard. On a winter evening, the courtyard’s serene atmosphere felt perfect. Everything, from the cleanliness of the restrooms to the warmth of the decor, was spot on.

The menu at Madras Chronicle is a treat in itself—neatly printed and bound in a leather folder. It’s eclectic, offering something for everyone: pasta, pizza, chaat, Indian bread, curries, Mexican rice, Asian noodles, waffles, and mocktails. This isn’t just another vegetarian restaurant; it’s a global culinary treat for travellers from around the world who visit this UNESCO heritage site.

For our dinner, we went all out. Here’s what we tried:

• Cut Vegetables (Onion, Tomato, Carrot, Cucumber): A simple and refreshing start.
• Asli Makhan Pav Bhaji: Rich, buttery, and downright delicious—a comforting plate that hits all the right notes.
• Green Pizza – Chipotle Style: Topped with baby corn, American corn, olives, and mushrooms, this pizza was a standout. Freshly made and full of flavour, it disappeared quickly from our table.
• Waffle Chocolate Ice Cream and Berry Waffle with Cream: Sadly, these were underwhelming. The waffles were small, soggy, and lacked the crispy texture one expects.

Madras Chronicle felt like the slice of Mahabalipuram’s evolving food culture. While the waffles left something to be desired, the Pav Bhaji and pizza more than made up for it. Combine that with impeccable service, friendly staff, and a relaxed ambience, and you have a place worth revisiting.

If you’re in Mahabalipuram, whether for sightseeing or a coastal drive along the East Coast Road, make sure to stop by Madras Chronicle. Sit back in their courtyard, soak in the laid-back vibe, and savour some truly delectable vegetarian dishes.

P.S.: I’ve got photographs of all the dishes we tried—hope they whet your appetite as much as they did ours!

Disclosure: I write reviews about (products or restaurants) that I have (bought for my usage, or visited) and paid in full. There were no sponsorship or advertisement, or commission of any sort involved in this post.