Start your foodie journey by indulging in some authentic South Indian breakfast at Murugan Idli Shop. The shop is known for its soft and fluffy idlis that are served with amazing chutneys, all made with a secret recipe. You can also try their dosas, vadais, and pongal. It’s a popular spot, and the shop opens as early as 6.00 AM. Try to avoid peak hours to skip the crowd.
For a proper meal, head over to Konar Mess, which serves some of Madurai’s best meals. You can enjoy a traditional banana leaf meal complete with rice, sambar, rasam, kootu, poriyal, and a sweet payasam. The highlight of this place is their biryani, which comes in both chicken and mutton varieties. They are open from 12.00 PM to 3.00 PM, so you can plan accordingly.
Start your day with a strong cup of coffee at SNV Café – one of Madurai’s oldest coffee shops. They are known for their filter coffee, which you can have with some tasty snacks, including samosas, patties, and sandwiches. You can also try their special frothy coffee ‘Degree Coffee’ – a must-try for coffee lovers. The café opens at 6.30 AM.
If you’re a fan of non-veg food, then Kumar Mess is a must-visit place – especially for their Mutton Kola Urundai (deep-fried mutton balls). This small mess is packed with flavourful dishes and is famous for its Madurai-style biryani. Their meals are served on banana leaves, and their fish fry is a popular choice. The mess is open from 12.00 PM to 3.00 PM.
For those with a sweet tooth, head over to Famous Jigarthanda Shop – known for its refreshing drink that comes with a scoop of ice cream. Jigarthanda translates to ‘cool heart’ and is a popular beverage during the summer. Apart from their jigarthanda, you can also try some of their other cold beverages, including lassi and falooda. The shop is open from 9.00 AM to 9.30 PM.
Located in the heart of the city, Shri Muniyandi Vilas serves some of the best chicken and mutton biryanis in Madurai. Don’t let the simple decor fool you – it’s the taste that counts. Their meals come with a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian sides, including crab roast and mutton gravy. They are open from 11.00 AM to 3.30 PM.
If you’re looking for a quick and healthy breakfast option, then Murugan Kanji Kadai is your go-to place. This small, unassuming street vendor has been serving hot, steaming bowls of rice porridge for decades. The kanji comes in a variety of flavours, including mutton, chicken, and egg. You can add some toppings such as chicken or mutton curry, boiled egg or salted vegetables to your liking. They are open from 6.00 AM to 12.00 PM.
If you have more time, you can explore some of the other street food options in Madurai, including parotta and kothu parotta, which are widely popular dishes. You can also visit some of the city’s historic landmarks, such as the Meenakshi Amman Temple and the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace.
If you have less time, you can skip some of the meals and visit only your preferred restaurants.