The guide’s ranking · Chennai

Best Chicken 65
in Chennai

Chicken 65 is a legendary deep-fried spiced chicken dish that was invented in Chennai. The dish was created at the Buhari Hotel in 1965 by its founder. It features bite-sized pieces of chicken marinated in ginger, garlic, and a heavy dose of red chilies. The chicken is fried to a crisp exterior while remaining juicy on the inside. It is the ultimate bar snack and starter across the entire country today.

Chicken 65 · say “Chicken 65” ·

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Why locals care

Chicken 65 is a legendary deep-fried spiced chicken dish that was invented in Chennai. The dish was created at the Buhari Hotel in 1965 by its founder. It features bite-sized pieces of chicken marinated in ginger, garlic, and a heavy dose of red chilies. The chicken is fried to a crisp exterior while remaining juicy on the inside. It is the ultimate bar snack and starter across the entire country today.

Ranked Chicken 65 stops in Chennai

Buhari Hotel

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Buhari Hotel serves a classic Madras Style biryani that is aromatic and well-balanced. It is a grand old-world venue.
The guide’s verdict · Anna Salai

Queue: Historic venue founded in 1951.

Go: 20:00 for the birthplace of Chicken 65.

Price: $$

Dietary:

Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant

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Verdict: Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant serves a gold standard version known for high heat and heavy use of pepper. The gravy is thick.Nungambakkam

Queue: Global face of Chettinad cuisine.

Go: 13:00 for the thick spicy masala gravy.

Price: $$

Dietary:

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Ponnusamy Hotel

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Verdict: Ponnusamy Hotel is notorious for its intense spice levels and proprietary spice blend unchanged for decades. The institution is historic.Egmore

Queue: Historic institution serving for over 50 years.

Go: 13:00 for legendary non-veg meals.

Price: $$

Dietary:

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Junior Kuppanna

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Verdict: Junior Kuppanna serves exceptionally tender chicken in a rich, oily, and intensely flavorful gravy. It follows rural traditions.T. Nagar

Queue: Famous for tender meat and rich gravy.

Go: 13:00 for hand-ground masalas.

Price: $$

Dietary:

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Madurai Kumar Mess

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Verdict: Madurai Kumar Mess offers a more rustic and aggressive version of the dish with dominant pepper heat. The energy is high.Vadapalani

Queue: High-volume neighborhood favorite.

Go: 19:30 for bold peppery flavors.

Price: $$

Dietary:

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Velu Military Hotel

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Verdict: Velu Military Hotel serves a rustic and unapologetically spicy version on a banana leaf. It is very affordable.Nungambakkam

Queue: Classic military hotel offering bold flavors.

Go: 13:00 for rustic high-heat meals.

Price: $

Dietary:

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National Mess

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Verdict: National Mess serves a fiery, aromatic, and no-holds-barred experience meant to be eaten with rice. The location is near the stadium.Chepauk

Queue: Legendary non-veg mess near the stadium.

Go: 13:00 for rustic no-holds-barred experience.

Price: $

Dietary:

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Aasife Biriyani

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Verdict: Aasife Biriyani serves a thick, masala-rich gravy with tender meat as a staple side. The chain is popular.St. Thomas Mount

Queue: Popular local chain with heavy masalas.

Go: 13:00 for consistent and reliable flavor.

Price: $$

Dietary:

Stamp availableGoogle Maps

SS Hyderabad Biryani

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Verdict: SS Hyderabad Biryani serves a very popular and affordable Basmati-style biryani with massive portions. The rice is spicy.Kodambakkam

Queue: Favorite for students and budget seekers.

Go: 13:00 for massive portions and spicy flavor.

Price: $

Dietary:

Stamp availableGoogle Maps

Ambur Star Briyani

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Verdict: Ambur Star Briyani focuses on the quality of the meat which is exceptionally tender. The style is lighter.T. Nagar

Queue: Original practitioners of the style.

Go: 13:00 for the lighter Ambur style.

Price: $$

Dietary:

Stamp availableGoogle Maps

Ya Mohideen Biryani

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Verdict: Ya Mohideen Biryani is a cult-favorite institution where the rice is incredibly flavorful and moist. It is often sold out.Pallavaram

Queue: High-volume and high-flavor institution.

Go: 12:30 before the cult favorite sells out.

Price: $$

Dietary:

Stamp availableGoogle Maps

Maplai

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Verdict: Maplai prepares the dish with high-quality oils and premium spices offering a cleaner experience. The techniques are refined.Nungambakkam

Queue: Modern upscale take on South Indian cuisine.

Go: 20:00 for premium ingredients and techniques.

Price: $$

Dietary:

Stamp availableGoogle Maps

Southern Spice

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Verdict: Southern Spice employs chefs trained in the Karaikudi region using traditional stone-ground masalas. The depth of flavor is rare.Nungambakkam

Queue: Ultimate fine-dining destination for regional food.

Go: 20:00 for celebration dining.

Price: $$$

Dietary:

Stamp availableGoogle Maps

Karaikudi Chettinad Restaurant

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Verdict: Karaikudi focuses on the traditional spice ratios of the region making the curry notably earthy. It uses stone flower.Mylapore

Queue: Focuses on authentic regional flavors.

Go: 20:00 for traditional spice ratios.

Price: $$

Dietary:

Stamp availableGoogle Maps

Amma Chettinad Restaurant

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Verdict: Amma Chettinad Restaurant cooks chicken in small batches to maintain the integrity of the fresh spice paste. It feels homestyle.T. Nagar

Queue: Feels homestyle.

Go: 13:00 for small batch integrity.

Price: $$

Dietary:

Stamp availableGoogle Maps
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Food near POIs

Government Museum

Government Museum

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Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

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Pondy Bazaar

Pondy Bazaar

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Vadapalani Murugan Temple

Vadapalani Murugan Temple

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Semmozhi Poonga

Semmozhi Poonga

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St. Thomas Mount

St. Thomas Mount

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Marina Beach

Marina Beach

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Airport area

Airport area

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Higginbothams Bookstore

Higginbothams Bookstore

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Vadapalani Temple

Vadapalani Temple

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