Southern Spice is the South Indian fine dining restaurant of the Taj Coromandel hotel on Uthamar Gandhi Road (Nungambakkam High Road), just off Anna Salai in Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034. It is one of the city’s best-known places for a formal tour of the cuisines of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Travelers come for regional recipes served in a dining room under an intricately carved ceiling.
What to Expect at Southern Spice
The menu moves across the four southern states. It draws on Chettinad pepper-and-spice cooking, coastal Kerala curries, Mangalorean seafood and Andhra heat. Meals are often built around thalis or multi-course spreads with rice, appams, dosas and slow-cooked gravies. Vegetarian cooking gets equal weight, which reflects the region’s strong temple-food and home-cooking traditions.
The room is the other draw. It has carved wooden detailing, a richly worked ceiling and temple-inspired decor. Service is formal and attentive, and staff will walk first-timers through regional differences and spice levels. Lunch and dinner are served daily.
- Carved Ceiling: An ornate, intricately worked ceiling that defines the room’s character.
- Four-State Menu: Dishes from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh on one menu.
- Chettinad Specialties: Pepper-forward, roasted-spice curries from the Karaikudi region.
- Vegetarian Depth: Extensive meat-free options, including sambars, poriyals and rasam.
- Hotel Setting: Located inside the Taj Coromandel, where pre-dinner drinks at the hotel bars are easy to add.
Southern Spice at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Taj Coromandel, Uthamar Gandhi Rd, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Nungambakkam, off Anna Salai |
| Operating Hours | Daily 12:30–3 PM and 7–11:30 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$$ fine dining |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Thousand Lights Metro (Blue Line) nearby; hotel valet parking |
| Official Website & Phone | Southern Spice official site, +91 44 6600 2827 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve ahead for dinner, especially on weekends and festival evenings. Book by phone or through the official booking link. Dinner service picks up after 8 PM. An early 7 PM sitting or a weekday lunch is calmer. Smart casual dress fits the room.
Thousand Lights station on Chennai Metro’s Blue Line, along Anna Salai, is the closest rail stop. Auto-rickshaws and app cabs can drop you at the hotel porch, and drivers can use valet parking. As a luxury hotel, the Taj generally offers step-free access through its main lobby. Call ahead to confirm wheelchair seating. Nearby, you can browse the Khader Nawaz Khan Road boutiques, walk to Thousand Lights Mosque, or shop along Anna Salai.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Southern Spice’s hours?
It opens daily for lunch from 12:30 to 3 PM and for dinner from 7 to 11:30 PM. An early dinner is quieter.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend dinners. Expect top-tier ($$$$) pricing.
How long should I allow?
Plan on 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a full multi-course meal.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes. Families are welcome, and spice levels can be adjusted. Smart casual dress is expected.
Travelers exploring Chennai often pair this stop with nearby highlights including ARABIAN GARDEN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT (0.3 km away) and Taj Coromandel, Chennai (0.1 km away).
