5 Must-Try Pondicherry Restaurants

Pondicherry or Puducherry is a popular and culturally rich Indian union territory near Tamil Nadu. The place has a strong French influence in its heritage, architecture, and food. If you are planning a weekend getaway or a road trip to Pondicherry then must try these fabulous Pondicherry restaurants.

Pondicherry is a food lover’s paradise and has plenty to offer when it comes to good food. The food available in Pondicherry is diverse and interesting.

One can see influences of English, Portuguese, French and Dutch cooking, interspersed with South Indian delicacies and continental favorites to cater the tourists from all over the World.

The French Quarter, colonial architecture, and local bakeries ensure that Pondicherry is a wonderful retreat away from the hustle-bustle of a metropolitan.

Pondicherry Restaurants:

This post lists a few of my favorite Pondicherry restaurants (also read: 5 Best Restaurants in Jaipur) that will tickle your taste buds and take you on a journey of sensorial delights.

1)Bread and Chocolate: Highly recommended and with good reason, this is a haven for bread, chocolate and coffee lovers – and the best part, everything on the menu is organic and local (there are gluten-free and vegan options as well).

If you’re a looking for a perfect breakfast smoothie bowl, sourdough sandwich or a chocolate croissant then head straight to Bread and Chocolate at Auroville. We suggest going early on weekends as most of the bakery items go out of stock by noon. Also, there are limited seats so its best to reach early and grab a perfect spot.

My Favorites: Summer Tartine Breakfast, Iced Coffee, Croissant, Cinnamon Roll, and Chocolate Palmiers

2) Tanto Pizzeria: Are you a pizza lover? Then Tanto Pizzeria at Auroville is your go-to place for all thing pizza. This joint promises woodfired pizza with a thin crust Italian style base.

The ambiance is fuss-free with open-air sitting and a rustic feel to the place. On a hot day, a thin crust pizza, grilled fish platter and a huge pitcher of their ice tea or fresh juice are exactly what you need to chill with friends.

My Favorites: Grilled Fish, Oven Fish, Pizza

3) Coromandel Cafe, La Maison Rose: A pretty pink café nestled at White Town, La Maison Rose is a quiet little spot for a romantic dinner date. Modeled after the pink villa of the same name in Paris. Along with a cafe, La Maison Rose has a luxury boutique and book shop as well.

This French-themed cafe has both indoor and open-air style seating where you can spend hours, sipping a chilled beer or a glass of wine along with deliciously crisp calamari or a good steak. The menu has plenty of French-inspired dishes tweaked with local flavors.

My Favorites: Moroccon Spiced Prawns, Crispy Calamari

4) Villa Shanti: This restaurant is another gem at White Town in Pondicherry that serves fabulous fusion dishes. One can visit this place for its colonial feel and old-world charm. An old bungalow courtyard converted into a restaurant, Villa Shanti is the perfect spot for a family dinner.

The cuisine here is Indian with a French twist – from the classic French dessert, Crème Brulee to chicken tikka, there is a lot of variety on the menu. It is highly recommended to make a reservation, especially on the weekend as the place is quite popular among the food lovers in Pondicherry.

My Favorites: Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho, Murgh Adraki Kebab, Tandoori Fish Tikka

5) Café Xtasi: This café at MG Road is a must-visit when in Pondy, for their star item on the menu – Pizza! What’s unique about this place is – handcrafted woodfired pizza and half and half style customizable toppings. One gets to order their pizza in a half and half style with different toppings on each half of the pizza.

One can also opt for a pasta or a salad if you’re not in the mood for pizza. Café Xtasi is a popular joint among locals and travelers. It is almost always packed so plan your visit accordingly.

My Favorites: Iron Pie Pizza, Sausezz Pizza

Disclaimer: My opinion and words are unbiased and totally based on my experience. But, as they say, “Food is Subjective” so kindly exercise your own discretion, with the understanding that this is writer’s personal opinion.