Craving biryani at 2 am? Chennai’s food streets come to the rescue

Chennai's nightlife is alive and thriving with food streets, courts and squares offering a variety of options from popcorn to cubano sandwiches to high-end teas. Kathipara Urban Square and Kora Food Street are two popular spots, with 5,000 and 3,000 walk-ins respectively on weekdays. Enjoy a meal for one from ₹100 onwards

It is official. A wave of young students, IT professionals, families, and lounging friends are reclaiming the streets at night. And the twinkling lights of the thriving food hubs that cater to them now beckon travellers and passers by as well.

Eleven pm is when business starts for the several food streets in Chennai. Besides catering to the population that steps out on a whim, wading through greasy fries and chicken after a night out, Chennai’s food streets, courts and squares are becoming popular hangouts, providing an array of options including popcorn, cubano sandwiches and high-end teas.

Kathipara Urban Square sees about 5,000 walk-ins on a weekday and double that during weekends. Anna Nagar’s Kora Food Street, on the other hand, has at least 3,000 people sauntering in as the sky dims. Join us as we do a food stall hop though the night.

On days when Abishek Paul works long hours, the doctor finds himself making a beeline to the newly opened 24*7 Chettinad-themed Starbucks at Kathipara Urban Square for a coffee and a snack. It is one of 25 restaurants at this central location hidden amidst the twists and turns of the Kathipara flyover — an accessible public space that skirts the clamour of Chennai traffic.

“We usually tend to finish our shifts late so we come here to grab a quick bite. The odd timing helps us because the traffic reduces by midnight,” he says while munching on flavoured popcorn from Tam Corn. 

While only a handful of restaurants like Junior Kuppanna and KFC serve food, particularly biryani and bucket chicken, all through the night, all of the 25 restaurants are open till 2 am. Customers here include the late night movie crowds, and hungry partygoers who are winding down after a night out. 

What catches our eye is the eclectic variety of stalls at the square. E Adhithiyan, the manager of Botaniq Foods, says that they serve tea made of aged black garlic. It is among their best sellers, he says. Another stall that stays busy is the Miso Ramen cafe. Some notable mentions at the urban square are juices from Cocofit and South Indian food from ID.