Madras Cafe – South Indian Food, Andhra – Tamil – Kerala Delicacies

Inspired from the South Indian city of Chennai, Madras Cafe Indian Restaurant in San Diego has an environment which brings the memories from Tamil Nadu. Apart from tasty South Indian Food, interesting cartoon wall arts of Auto (Indian Tuk Tuk) entertains their customers. Their menu is a treasure trove of flavors, spanning appetizers, meat and vegetable curries, traditional dosas, aromatic biryanis, Indian street food delights, an array of bread, sides, desserts, and refreshing beverages.

Menu of Madras Cafe

South Indian Breakfast: 

For those craving South Indian breakfast, the Idli and Medhu Vada are steamed and deep-fried lentil delicacies, respectively, perfect for an authentic South Indian taste. The combo of Idli Vada offers a harmonious blend of these favorites on a single plate while the variations like Cocktail Idli, Idli Sambhar and Vada Sambhar brings back the Indian memories.

From the classic Plain Dosa to the enticing Masala Dosa, Mysore Plain Dosa, Mysore Masala Dosa, Rava Dosa, Rava Masala Dosa, Podi Dosa, Cheese Dosa, Ghee Paper Roast, Egg Dosa, Butter Dosa, Ghee Podi Dosa, Paper Dosa, Chef’s Special Dosa, Ghee Masala Podi Dosa, Cheese Chilli Dosa, Onion Rava Dosa, Ghee Onion Podi Dosa, Onion Rava Masala Dosa, each dosa variation is a symphony of flavors. For the adventurous foodie, the Monster Dosa promises a delightful surprise with its unique stuffing options.

Plain Uthappam, a South Indian delicacy, presents a delightful medley of flavors and textures. Among its variants, the Cheese Utthapam stands out, offering a savory fusion of molten cheese with the soft, pancake-like base. The Onion Chilli Uthappam tantalizes taste buds with its zesty mix of onions and spicy chilies. For the veggie enthusiasts, the Mix Veg Uthappam boasts a colorful ensemble of assorted vegetables embedded within.

Appetizers:

Kickstart your culinary adventure with their flavorful appetizers like Vegetable Samosa or Tamil Nadu special Madras Pakora. For Non Vegetarians and for those seeking a touch of spice, the Chicken 65, Rayalaseema Kodi Vepudu, Chilli Chicken and Apollo Fish delivers the perfect fiery punch.

Vegetarian Curries:

The heart of South Indian cuisine lies in its sumptuous curries. Vegetarians will find a variety of delightful dishes such as Daal Fry, Bhindi Fry, Guthi Vankaya, Veg. Makhani, Chana Masala, Karahi Paneer, and the ever-popular Paneer Butter Masala andPaneer Tikka Masala.

Non Vegetarian Curries and Seafood:

Dive into an array of tempting meat curry options like the aromatic Pepper Chicken Curry, Lamb Rogan Josh, Kadai Goat, Kadai Lamb or the rich and creamy Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala. For those yearning for bold flavors, the Andhra Chicken Curry, Goat Pepper Fry (Dry), and Chettinadu Chicken will surely satisfy. One can experience the Chennai special Madras Fish Curry here. 

Rice and Biryanis:

The Biryani section offers an enticing array of aromatic rice dishes that are a testament to Indian culinary excellence. The Chef’s Special Biryani collection features a delightful range including the flavorful Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani, renowned for its rich spices and tender chicken. The Boneless Chicken Biryani promises succulent chunks of chicken infused with fragrant basmati rice. For vegetarians, the Veg Dum Biryani delivers a delightful blend of vegetables and spices. The Goat Dum Biryani offers tender and flavorful goat meat layered with aromatic rice. Additionally, the Egg Dum Biryani provides a unique and savory twist. The menu also features the enticing Bezwada Chicken Biryani and the zestful Chicken 65 Biryani, offering variations to tantalize diverse palates.

Jeera Rice offers fragrant basmati rice infused with cumin seeds, creating an aromatic delight. Dahi Rice, blending yogurt with rice, provides a creamy and refreshing taste. Tamarind Rice features a tangy and zesty flavor profile with the infusion of tamarind, elevating the dish to a whole new level. For a zestful and citrusy experience, Lemon Rice delivers a refreshing twist. Lastly, the Sambar Rice provides a delightful fusion of spiced lentil-based sambar combined with rice, offering a comforting and hearty meal.

Indian Street Food:

The Indian Street Food Corner offerings showcase a vibrant array of popular Indian street snacks. Puri Bhaji presents a delightful combination of fluffy, deep-fried bread served alongside a spicy potato curry. Samosa Chat tantalizes taste buds with its crispy samosa topped with tangy chutneys, yogurt, and spices. Bhel Puri comprises a delightful mix of puffed rice, vegetables, tangy chutneys, and crunchy sev (fried gram flour noodles). Dahi Puri features crispy hollow puris filled with spiced potatoes, yogurt, and an assortment of chutneys. Papdi Chat boasts a crispy base topped with yogurt, tangy tamarind chutney, and a medley of flavors. Pani Puri and Masala Puri offer unique spins on this popular street food, each delivering a burst of refreshing and spicy flavors in every bite.

Indian Bread:

Plain Naan, a traditional leavened bread cooked in a tandoor, serves as a versatile accompaniment. For those craving an aromatic twist, Garlic Naan offers the delightful flavor of garlic and cilantro. Butter Naan elevates the experience with its rich, buttery topping. The Bullet Naan, often stuffed with spicy fillings, presents a burst of flavor. Cheese enthusiasts would relish the Cheese Naan, generously stuffed with gooey cheese. Cocktail Naan offers a variety of small-sized naans with different toppings. Additionally, there’s Fulka Roti, Tandoori Roti, Poori, and Chole Bhatura, each adding its unique texture and taste to complement various dishes on the menu.

Sweet Desserts:

Round off your culinary journey with sweet treats that capture the essence of Indian cuisine. Savor the traditional Gulab Jamun or the creamy Rasmalai. The Kesari and Payasum offer a taste of Indian comfort desserts, while the Pan Laddu provides a unique and indulgent bite.

Beverages:

The drink selection at this venue features a delightful assortment to complement the diverse flavors of the cuisine. Madras Filter Coffee represents South India’s famed coffee culture, known for its rich taste and aromatic profile. Cutting Chai offers a robust and flavorful Indian-style tea. For those craving a refreshing twist, there’s the sweet and tangy Mango Lassi, a yogurt-based drink blended with ripe mangoes. Salt Lassi provides a savory variation of the classic yogurt drink. The menu also includes the spiced Masala Soda, fizzy Soda Can, and the iconic Indian cola Thumps Up, catering to varied preferences for quenching one’s thirst.

Catering and Specials

With an extensive menu covering several of South Indian delights, Madras Cafe Indian Restaurant in San Diego offers food catering in and around the city. Depending on the requirement whether it is a corporate event, team lunch, family event or weekend parties, Madras Cafe can help you with an interesting selection of Indian food tailored to your theme.

On Friday evenings, Madras Cafe offers Street Style Chaat Night Live from 5PM to 8PM where one can try multiple Indian Street Food items. On the weekends, they offer specials including Meal Combos, South Indian delicacies like Kizhi Parotta, Kerala style fish curry, Thalapakattu biryani and many more.