The day begins with a visit to Madurai Murugan Idli Shop, which has been serving up the best idlis in the city since 1968. The fluffy and soft idlis are served with varieties of chutney and sambar. Try their onion uttapam and filter coffee for a complete South Indian breakfast experience.
Next visit, Kari Dosai Kadai, famous for their spicy and flavourful kari dosai. It is a unique combination of crispy dosa and spicy mutton keema. It goes well with their refreshing mango lassi. Do try their milagu pongal which is pepper flavoured rice.
For a delicious and hearty lunch head to, Sri Lakshmi Narayanan Mess, one of Madurai's oldest establishments. Enjoy the non-veg thali, comprising of biriyani, chicken fry, sambar, rasam and much more. The mutton chukka varuval is famous in this place.
Finish the day with a visit to Parthasarathy Vilas, famous for its lip-smacking keerai vadai. A perfect snack to have before starting your dinner. Their masala dosai, filter coffee and kalakki is a must-try.
Start the second day with a visit to Vishnu Vilas, one of the largest vegetarian restaurants situated in the heart of the city. One must try the aappam, veg stew, and the iconic jigarthanda, a refreshing drink made with milk, almond gum, and tutti-frutti.
Next, head to Amma Mess, famous for its non-veg Chettinad cuisine. Must try dishes are the chicken biriyani, naatu kozhi fry, and mutton chukka. The ambiance and hospitality add up to the overall experience.
For dinner, try Kumar Mess, a 50-year-old establishment famous for its spicy egg dosai and paper roast dosas. Their mutton kola is equally famous, and the prices are very pocket friendly.
On the final day, revisit Madurai Murugan Idli Shop for their iconic kaima idli, which is bite-sized cubes of idli mixed with onions, tomato, and other spices that makes it an explosion of flavours. Their ghee pongal and vada are equally tasty.
For a hearty lunch visit, Sri Meenakshi Bhavan which is among the top establishments serving authentic Tamil Nadu cuisine, including crispy dosa, paneer butter masala, and the iconic filter coffee. Their thali is an absolute steal.
Complete your trip with a visit to Guru Bakery, where they serve bread and some of the best biscuits in the city. Their varieties of cookies, cakes, and bread are a local favourite, and their diligence ensures that everything is made fresh daily.
For those with extra time, explore other famous Madurai eateries such as Andhra Mess, Konar Kadai, and Gowri Mess. For those in a rush, skip one of the meals, or grab a quick snack at any of the local street vendors selling onion bhaji, sweet lemongrass tea, and much more.