Top Two Reasons to Love Besant Nagar

Named after the theosophist Annie Besant and located on the coast of Bay of Bengal with its neighbours as Thiruvanmiyur (South), Adyar Estuary (North) and Adyar (West) is Besant Nagar. It marks the end-point of Marina beach shore. The major attraction for the tourists and residents of Chennai is the Elliots beach (named after Edward Elliot). Besides the beach, the Annai Velankanni Church and Ashtalakshmi Temple along the shore is also a must visit place. To make the location name sound cool and short, it is nicknamed as ‘Bessie’.

Guess, it is time to move on to the original topic. It is always the Food and Beach that calls for a visit to Bessie.

Walking along the shores of Elliots beach, the glimmering sunrise, chilly waves and immeasurable horizon drives you crazy and stir up your senses. This beach is not as vast as the Marina (World’s 2nd largest beach) yet is wonderful and unique that offers nature and adventure activities; it also serves as a lively locale for many film-makers.

Being a food hunter, my sole purpose of visiting most places in Chennai is for food. A simple Zomato Search would list almost 50+ restaurants in the Besant Nagar locality; ranging from Extremely Expensive to Cheap, Classy Ambience to Kiosk and unique cuisines. But the only place I am addicted is Fourth Main Road of Besant Nagar on the beach side that holds shelter to some delicious food extravaganza. With many food joints at a close proximity I am penning down my TOP 5 must visit affordable food joints at Bessie.

 Top 5 must visit affordable food joints #BesantNagar #Chennai #Beach #FoodWalk #Foodie @swensens @DivyaSriniv http://goo.gl/yZ2vUd

Here goes the list:

Spring Potato / Mr Potato

Potato is a never ending love story. The curvy stretch of potato dressed with masala or sauce is the perfect companion while enjoying the waves hitting the shore. There are three shops that serves this potato, and my pick is Spring Potato (for taste and sauce variety).

Address: TNHB Complex, 4th Main Road, Besant Nagar.

Opening Hours: 5 PM - 11 PM

Budget for 2: Rs.120 INR (approx.)

The Kati Roll Shop

The small kiosk that produce humongous rolls equal to an unlimited meals. Their non-veg rolls are the best. My favourite is Anda Chicken Roll. Check the detailed review here.

Address: TNHB Complex, 4th Main Road, Besant Nagar.

Opening Hours: 12.30 PM - 11.30 PM

Budget for 2: Rs.250 INR (approx.)

Goli Vada Pav

The Mumbai wala inside this Madrasi holds a strong love for Vada Pav. Their reasonable pricing and tasty Classic Vada Pav is a reason to visit the place. You can also get Paul Street Coffee at their outlet.

You can check the Paul Street Coffee and Goli Vada Pav reviews also.

Address: TNHB Complex, 4th Main Road, Besant Nagar.

Opening Hours: 10 AM - 10.30 PM

Budget for 2: Rs.250 INR (approx.)

Westfield

Blissful bites of sweet delights! Head here for affordable, tasty and eggless waffles, mini-pancakes and crepes (which they are yet to start serving). But it's their punctuality that fails to impress; never stick to time or open the shop regularly so you may not find them functioning always. Detailed review on westfield.

Address: TNHB Complex, 4th Main Road, Besant Nagar.

Opening Hours: 5.30 PM - 11 PM

Budget for 2: Rs.150 INR (approx.)

Swensens

Impeccable combination of sundaes that are priced reasonable. They also have separate ice-cream scoops. Check my detailed review.

Address: 4th Main Road, Besant Nagar.

Opening Hours: 11 AM - 11 PM

Budget for 2: Rs.250 INR (approx.)

These are my top five but the Bessie food exploration doesn't stop with this, there are a lot more places at the Beach side of the locality. Though they didn't make it to my top five, these are places you can try eating while you visit Bessie.

Pabrai's Ice Creams, Kebab It, Amma Short Eats, Mash, Pupil and Cozee.

With just 4th Main Road conquered, I have many more restaurants lined up at Bessie. Do explore Besant Nagar when you visit Chennai and if you're residing at Chennai then it is a sin if you haven't been to this place. Until the next one, Happy Eating!

Also Check "My List of Ten Pocket Friendly Restaurants at Chennai".

P.S. The food joints I have listed are my personal choices and it is restricted to the mini food walk locality of Besant Nagar i.e. fourth main road. Also, budget for two is based on my dining experience. Remember, no two person's palate can be same.