Rayar's mess - Vegetarian restaurant in Chennai - Chennai, India

This is one legendary eatery which has garnered a loyal fanbase. However, IMO, this is not for those who explore food and has already tasted really great breakfast places ( like Vijayawada sss idly and other legendary places which has their own unique style in taste). Tried almost everything this place has to offer. Sadly, things barely impressed me. But i respect the place, culture and food. Just that I've tasted much better breakfast items. Nothing to complain about but also nothing to talk about either. Very small eatery that just got too much attention. Do not expect any ambience, seating area and parking for yourself. Place and environment is situated in narrow lanes.

The food was tasty here. We tried idly, ghee podi, pongal, vada with thick chutney served on a banana leaf. No cutlery and bowls for sambar and Chutneys. You gotta manage the flowing sambar and experience everything mixed together with your hands. It's not like wow and melt in the mouth taste, but the food is simple, flavour full and served well. Tummy khush definitely ! Having had south Indian breakfasts at multiple places, I could feel the difference . Majority of the breakfast places of late add a lot of ghee and butter, be it pongal or idlis that makes them tasty obviously. But this wasn't the case here. You don't feel that heaviness throughout the day if you have breakfast here. While the industrial kitchens and modern cafes have their place, I hope these traditional mess that serve food with love continue to serve. Regarding the place, it's pretty tiny.. probably can seat around 16 people at a time. 4 tables in a tiny room. The breakfast has only idly, vada, pongal till 10 AM. Few varieties of dosas and a sweet are available from 3 to 8 PM. You gotta remember what you eat and while exiting give the list to calculate the bill. UPI payment was available. The place is difficult to locate if you are a first timer. They don't have a board on the main road. Google location gets you to the main road little away from the lane. Lookout for a tiny lane between Taj Biryanis and Ramu Electrical works. Enjoy the experience!

There is a review that explains it perfectly. It is not a bad place, it's just that the food tastes average and not so flavourful as other places I've been to.

A nice experience having some snacks at Rayar mess. The food is delicious and service is fast. The place is quite old so you can go with that expectation.

Excellent breakfast spot. Need to be there early as only 16 ppl can sit in at a time. Can order via swiggy or zomato too. Staffs are friendly and caring. Must try their vadai, simply delicious. P.S. if u r particular abt d environment than u better not go here. However, is a must try at least once!

Vada and Sambhar are good. Pongal is okay and Idli was sour. Could have tried thick chutney and ghee podi.

After watching many suggestions in YouTube for this "Rayar Mess" went for breakfast. The mess is located in residential area but Google maps drive you there perfectly. Didn't get a place to sit as it has only small dining area were 20 ppl can sit max. But we can stand and eat there. Forst of all their service was very good and humble. Initially I tried their pongal vada which is good and it taste like a koil prasadham. I don't think many like that type of pongal and tried their idly and vada. Feels a good homely food. And price was also not too much and cheap either. The highlight is they serve Ghee for free to all that's a good thing that haven't seen in any other hotels.

An iconic restaurant operating out of a small space. Very limited seating facilities available. The quality of the food is exceptional and service is quick and friendly. Not suitable for disabled and wheelchair. Due to metro work parking is a challenge. A must visit place for some hot South Indian food. Try Pongal and Vada!