Tamil Nadu is a food lover’s paradise with delicious cuisines. If you are a foodie, prepare for an exceptional culinary journey through the state. It has an array of choices from fiery, complex flavours to traditional earthy meals with a modern twist. Tamil Nadu’s food spectrum is majorly formed by these 4 cuisines: Chettinad, Kondunadu, Nanjilnadu and Pandiyanadu.

• Chettinad Cuisine: Each bite of Karaikudi dishes bursts like fireworks in your mouth! There’s no going back once you try this food!
• Kongunadu: Kongunadu cuisine is like food wrapped with a warm blanket of flavours when you just need to settle down with a meal.
• Nanjilnad: This cuisine will create an unforgettable adventure for your palate. Nanjilnad seafood is like having a picnic by the seaside with each bite.
• Pandiyanadu: Each dish tells a story of the land it comes from, which invites you to be a part of its homely tradition of great cooking.

Famous Food of Tamil Nadu: 20 Dishes You Must Try

Paniyaram: A Bite-Sized Snack

Paniyaram is a wonderful, bite-sized snack that represents the famous food of Tamil Nadu in its entirety. You can enjoy it sweet with jaggery or spiced with chillis and curry leaves; both Paniyaram versions offer two completely different taste experiences.

Paniyaram, being a comfort food, is generally enjoyed as a breakfast dish or an evening snack. It is a famous food of Tamil Nadu, specifically in the Thanjavur district from where the dish originated. If you are on a trip and staying in any of the hotels in Thanjavur, Paniyaram is a must-try.

Appam: Crispy Crepes with a Soft Centre

Appam is a humble treat that is loved for its crisp edges and soft, spongy centre. Appam paired with a savoury vegetable stew or sweetened coconut milk is a perfectly balanced meal with adequate carbs, probiotics and fibre. All these qualities make Appam a famous food of Tamil Nadu.

A sweet version of this called the “Karupatti Appam” is a crowd favourite in the Madurai region. If you are travelling there, then the hotels in Madurai will be happy to host you. You can explore the local eateries here, where you can taste the crispy food of Tamil Nadu.

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu: Lentil Dumplings in Curry

Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu is an exciting combination of steamed lentil dumplings swimming in a delicious, tangy and spicy gravy. It’s a typical and famous food of Tamil Nadu. If you’re looking for hearty and flavourful food, this dish is for you!

The combination of Paruppu Urundai Kuzhambu paired with some steaming rice captures the true essence of the Tamil household.

Kara Kuzhambu: A Tangy Tamarind Treat

Kara Kuzhambu is a traditional dish which represents the cultural heritage of the Karaikudi region. With tamarind as a base, this famous food of Tamil Nadu is known for its sour and tangy flavour.

Kara Kuzhambu is scrumptious and has a well-balanced flavour of heat from the red chillis and sourness from tamarind. You can find this dish at any restaurant while travelling to Tamil Nadu. It is generally served with piping hot rice and potato fritters for lunch.

Vatha Kuzhambu: Sundried Delight

A popular dish, known for its spicy and tangy flavours with a tinge of bitterness. This famous food of Tamil Nadu is made with sun-dried vegetables, typically sundakkai or manathakkali, cooked in a flavorful tamarind soup.

Due to its long shelf life, Vatha Kuzhambu is often carried along as travel food during journeys. You can pick this up, pre-packed, in most outlets like Adayar Ananda Bhavan (A2B), Saravana Bhavan, etc., available across Tamil Nadu. The distinct taste of Vatha Kuzhambu and its traditional style of cooking bring out the culture and intricacies of Tamil cuisine.

Aviyal: Mixed Vegetable Medley

Aviyal is a colourful dish that consists of a variety of mixed vegetables cooked with coconut and yoghurt. This healthy dish is usually paired with curry leaves and coconut oil which highlights its Tamil heritage. Aviyal is a famous food of Tamil Nadu which is often reserved for important occasions such as festivals and celebrations.

Aviyal is a popular dish in the Tirunelveli region. If you are travelling to Thirunelveli, then visit Muthu Mess or Hotel Bellau Saravana Bhava to experience the best version of this delightful dish, commonly served as a side dish with rice or wheat puris.

Kaikari Kurma: Spiced Vegetable Stew

Kaikari Kurma is a spiced stew combining vegetables like carrots, potatoes and beans cooked with aromatic spices and a creamy blend of coconut and cashews. Unlike other stews, Kaikari Kurma is light and generally paired with idiyappam, dosa, idli or parotta.

Kaikari Kurma is a rich and flavourful dish, and a common food of choice, especially during breakfast and lunch, making it a famous food of Tamil Nadu. If you are a traveller staying in any of the hotels in Chennai, Kaikari Kurma will definitely be a part of the menu.

Idiyappam: String Hoppers Delight

Idiyappam or “string hoppers” is a famous food of Tamil Nadu because of its soft and lacy appearance, mimicking a longer version of vermicelli. Idiyappam is made from rice flour and has a spongy texture that may be topped with coconut milk, chicken curry, or kurma.

Idiyappam is especially eaten as breakfast and highlights Coimbatore’s love of all foods made from rice. A stay at hotels in Coimbatore is never complete without tasting Idiyappam with Paaya. Since Idiyappam is steamed and bland in taste, it is easily digestible and light on the stomach.

Koozh: Traditional Millet Porridge

Koozh, a traditional millet porridge, is a highly nutritious and famous food of Tamil Nadu. Koozh is a common staple in rural areas, especially during the hotter months. Due to its religious significance, it is also served as an offering to many goddesses and deities during festivals.

Koozh is renowned for its health benefits and its unique qualities that help keep our gut in check. If you are travelling to Tamil Nadu in summer, you can find this porridge commonly being served as a street food with spicy side dishes. The health-conscious crowd is slowly adopting Koozh as a regular alternative to breakfast.

Puliyodarai: Tamarind Rice Temptation

Puliyodarai is a well-known dish made from tamarind paste and spices that makes the rice very tangy and tasty. It is a delicacy that is offered as prasadam in temples, which is one of the reasons why this is a famous food of Tamil Nadu.

Puliyodarai can be consumed as a full meal or a snack to satisfy cravings. Tamarind-based foods can be packed as a travel snack, as they have a long shelf life and can be consumed for up to 8 to 10 hours without refrigeration. Overall, it is a typical local food with a lot of importance in Tamil Nadu’s traditional heritage.

Murukku: Crunchy Rice Flour Snack

Murukku is a condiment commonly prepared in large quantities during the Diwali – festival of light, and  Pongal – the harvest festival of India. It is also prepared for family celebrations and gatherings, which are then distributed as gifts to neighbours and family members. This makes it a famous food of Tamil Nadu, which is enjoyed by everyone irrespective of their age due to its crunchy texture and subtle flavours.

If you are travelling to Tamil Nadu and staying in one of the hotels in West Mambalam, Chennai, visit Mambalam’s Venkateshwara Boli Stall or Sri Ramana Kaimurukku Centre. These are the popular choices, known for their crispy and flavourful options in Murukku varieties.

Akkaravadisal: A Sacred Offering

It is customary to serve dishes like Pongal, Curd rice and Puliyodarai as temple offerings since they can be prepared without onion or garlic. Among them, Akkaravadisal (sweet Pongal) is a famous food of Tamil Nadu served as prasadam in all temples of Lord Venkateshwara.

It is usually made from local ingredients. The simplicity and purity in preparation represent the culture and beliefs of the people of Tamil Nadu. It is no surprise that this temple prasadam has a flavour that no other dish prepared at home or restaurant can replicate. If you are planning to explore the spiritual richness of the region, there are many temples in Tamil Nadu that you can visit, and each one would offer a unique prasadam.

Ukkarai: A Sweet Ending

Ukkarai is a traditional sweet dish made from lentils, jaggery, and coconut. This yummy dessert is made frequently during festivals like Diwali, Tamil New Year and Amavasya. Ukkarai is prepared with sweetened lentils of different types and coconut, which creates a sweet, earthy flavour.

Ukkarai requires a generous amount of ghee and cashews to make, which is why it is generally reserved for occasions. It is also a famous food of Tamil Nadu as it goes hand-in-hand with the traditions and festivities of the Tamil culture.

Kothu Parotta: Street Food Sensation

Kothu Parotta is an immensely famous food of Tamil Nadu and a popular street food. It is an upgraded version of the typical parotta, made by tearing it apart and stir-frying it with eggs, meat, tomatoes and typical spices found in an Indian household. 

The rhythmic “chop chop chop” of Kothu Parotta from the street vendors has its admirers. The rich, spicy taste represents the essence of Tamil Nadu’s street food culture. If you are travelling to Tamil Nadu, Kothu Parotta has to be on your must-try list.

Chettinad Chicken: A Spicy Delight

Chettinad Chicken is a spicy food with bold flavours. This famous dish of Tamil Nadu comes from the Chettinad region and is made by simmering chicken with freshly ground masala. In Chettinad Chicken, curry leaves play a major part along with the authentic Chettinad masala and 12 different spices.

The fiery, rich taste is a representation of Karaikudi culinary tradition, as spicy food is considered a hallmark of Chettinad cuisine. There are many places to visit in Tamil Nadu if you want to try the Chettinad cuisine. It is one of the widely adopted styles of cooking in Tamil Nadu.

Nanjil Nadu Fish Curry: Coastal Comfort

Nanjil Nadu Fish Curry, a famous food of Tamil Nadu, is a warming coastal dish that celebrates the seafood culture in the region. This fish curry has fresh fish cooked in a spicy, tangy tamarind sauce with coconut milk and simple spices.

It has a mix of flavours that displays the coastal influences on Tamil Nadu cooking. The Nanjil Nadu Fish Curry captures the taste of the sea and gives you a warm and comforting feeling that is full of flavour. Explore the beaches in Chennai to find this delicacy if you are residing in and around the city or just visiting the place.

Kongunadu Kozhi Fry: Crispy Chicken Experience

Kongunadu Kozhi Fry is a crispy chicken dish that reflects the culinary practices of the Kongu area. This dish is marinated overnight in an exclusive blend of spices that are authentic to the Kongu region.

The flavour profile of this combination of spices, along with traditional cooking techniques, is hard to find anywhere else in the region. If you wish to experience this famous food of Tamil Nadu, you can check the restaurants in Coimbatore that specialise in preparing this one-of-a-kind dish.

Royapuram Kurma: A Flavourful Mutton Stew

Royapuram Kurma, one of the most famous food of Tamil Nadu, is a delicious mutton stew, true to the region’s rich, aromatic cuisine. Curries like Royapuram Kurma are cooked with pieces of tender mutton and spices to create a mouth-watering creamy dish.

Royapuram Kurma is a classic dish, and typically found in the northern parts of Chennai. Slow-cooked “Mutton Leg Paya” is another widely consumed dish, which is a staple for the people living in this region. If you are exploring Chennai and don’t mind the crowd, this area is easily one of the best places to eat in Chennai.

Meen Kuzhambu: Fish in Fiery Tamarind Sauce

Meen Kuzhambu is a spicy fish curry that is sure to please your palate with its bold flavours. It provides a perfect combination of sourness and spice in a single curry.

Meen Kuzhambu is particularly famous in the Kanyakumari region of Tamil Nadu. If you are travelling to Kanyakumari and staying the night at hotels in Kanyakumari, then definitely request this dish for dinner or lunch. Usually served with rice, Meen Kuzhambu is a famous food of Tamil Nadu and has been a staple in Tamil households for centuries.

Tamil Sahibu Biryani: Cultural Fusion

Tamil Sahibu Biryani, is a distinctive mouth-watering amalgamation of local cuisine and Mughal-influenced cooking style. This Sahibu Biryani consists of aromatic rice, meat, and spices that produce a rich aromatic signature which is exclusive to this particular style of biryani making.

While travelling through Tamil Nadu, make sure to experience this revered dish, which represents the cultural integration and culinary knowledge exchange of the Dravidian people. These Indo-Persian flavours make the Sahibu Biryani one of the most famous foods of Tamil Nadu.

The Taste of Tamil Nadu – A Real Culinary Medley

Tamil Nadu cuisine gives you its best culinary creations that have deep traditional origins but are also displayed in a modern look. Take a food tour down south and experience nostalgic recipes with some contemporary influence offering the best of both worlds.

Where to stay? Treebo Club operates hotels across 120+ cities throughout India and has a variety of options that fit every budget. Be sure to find one in the cities you plan to visit. With a comfortable stay and great food, you will have an unforgettable experience of the flavours from the ‘Dravidian Land’.