Madras - Cafe & Restaurant - South Indian restaurant in Leh - Leh Ladakh, India

The Madras Cafe & Restaurant is a new eatery opposite the Moravian Church on Zangsti Road, occupying two spacious rooms on the first floor of a newish building. The entrance on the ground floor is a work in progress, the eatery with its bare walls but pretty metallic hanging lamps too has a just-opened look. The menu is limited to a small variety of idlis, vada, dosas and flavoured rice, including tamarind rice. It makes amends to North Indian tastes and offers three varieties of teas along with filter coffee. To say I'm pining for South Indian cuisine is an understatement. The moment I espy a sign proclaiming "Exquisite South Indian Cuisine", I make a beeline to the restaurant. It being lunchtime, I order a masala dosa and filter coffee. The dosa has a pretty triangular appearance and accompanied with a tiny bowl of tasty sambhar and absolutely bland coconut and red chutneys. The coffee doesn't taste like the real McCoy, and the dosa is paper thin and crisp. Nevertheless, I'd like to give the owners high marks for their entrepreneurial and risk-taking flair. The food over time, I'm sure, will taste genuinely South Indian, maybe even better than in Bangalore. I look forward to seeing old favourites like pongal. I wish the Madras Cafe all the best this season.

Ordered set dosa and it was awful, Had set dosa before in Karnataka but this was nothing near that. Dosa tasted like rice papad.

Definitely a 4.5. If you are a south Indian looking for a native breakfast, then this is the place. Rates are high though. But taste was perfect. Great service, location and atmosphere.

Beautiful food. Delicious ghee podi idli and podi masala dosa. Coming here again and again while i am Leh. The food was so good, that we didn't even care taking pictures!

Happy to get authentic south food in leh. It was a surprise but very happy with the food and services.

South Indian delicacy in the middle of Himalayan city of Leh. Run by a couple of South Indian gentlemen. Well priced and tasty food. Worth visiting and trying this place out.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Madras Cafe during my visit to Leh, and I must say it was an extraordinary experience for my taste buds. This charming restaurant surpassed all my expectations and left me with a culinary journey I will cherish forever. From the moment Madras Cafe in Leh is a true culinary gem that takes you on a delightful journey through the flavors of South India. From the warm ambiance and attentive service to the exceptional taste and quality of the dishes, every aspect of the dining experience is top-notch. If you are a food lover visiting Leh, Madras Cafe is an absolute must-visit destination that will leave an indelible impression on your taste buds. I stepped inside, I knew I had discovered a true gastronomic gem.

Felt home after 3 weeks of travel. Lovely food and very hospitable host. Great conversation with Ravi who runs the place. Must visit if you are in Leh.