Well, my date with the tasteful delights got over with the Pondicherry trip. By the end of june, I was back in mumbai preparing to leave for some good place for a short vacation. So, 3 of us decided pondicherry this time.
Pondicherry, or Puducherry, is famously known as the French Riviera of the East, and is one of the most mesmerizing and charming places in South India. A former French colony, this quaint little town has retained its old-world French charm. 8000 kilometers away from France, Pondicherry comes very close to giving you a feel of the French culture and the French influence is very obvious in the city right from the food to the architecture.With its many colonial buildings, churches, temples and statues which, combined with the beautiful French-style avenues from when it was under French rule, still preserve much of the colonial ambiance. As such, dozens of beautiful cafés and restaurants have sprouted up, many on rooftops or with shaded patios, so tourists and locals alike can bask in the fuzzy Indian air with their cup of morning Masala chai. Here are the ten best places to go for late breakfast or brunch in this charming Indian city.
Pondicherry, unlike many other destinations, provides you a huge range of cuisines – north Indian, typical south India, authentic Chettinad cuisine, continental and of course, French.
A kitschy rickshaw parked in the front lawn. Pop-culture themed decor. A small hushed library. Cheery yellow walls illustrated with musicians sitting inside teacups, monkeys sitting on bicycles and flying elephants. This is what will welcome you when you step into the old French townhouse, refurbished into a quaint bohemian café. It also houses two shops – Nirvana and Cottonwood, selling all things Bollywood and Indian. The cafe is home to probably the best and most authentic French food in town.
French breakfast in Pondicherry – Yes
Prices – Medium to High
Wi-Fi – Available and Free
Ambience – Colonial home turned into a boutique cafe, no air-conditioning
Closes – 7 pm
For the wood fired pizza and home cooked spaghetti, this place is a must visit. The place has both indoor and outdoor seating arrangements. Not to be missed when you are visiting Auroville.Known for their terrific wood fired pizzas with garden fresh toppings, Tanto’s pizzeria will leave you craving more of their yummilicious Italian fare. With a laid-back, nature-infused setting, ever-smiling staff and an absolutely amazing homemade iced tea, Tanto is where you should be if pizza is your thing. Just eat anything and everything from here, you are sure to love it!Once you go there, trust me you'll go there again, and again.
Price: Average
Opening Hours: 9.00am to 7pm
Watch out for: Suggestion of the day
In the heart of the old French town lies Villa Shanti, a 19th century townhouse that has now been converted into an award-winning hotel. With minimalistic decor, the cafe offers a refreshing Grecian ambience to dine in. Most of their meals are prepared with organic produce and are also light on the wallet. Though, we missed going here. but, next time for sure.
A perfect blend of French architecture and Indian warmth, Cafe Carte Blanche at Hotel De L'Orient is an outstandingly renovated heritage cafe that stands witness to erstwhile glory of the royal era in Pondicherry. Flow back in time to an ancient period when Tamil spices blended with French restraint to give you the famous Pondicherry cuisine.
Price: Mid-range
Opening Hours: 9am to 9pm
Watch out for: Idli (small, savoury cakes) served with sambar (spicy lentil-based vegetable stew)
Address: Hotel De L’orient, 17, Rue Romain Rolland, White Town, Puducherry 0413 2343067
A roof cafe with an easygoing, pleasant and uninhibited ambiance, Kasha ki Aasha is the perfect place to to laze away the time, read a few books and write a blog post or two as you wait out that uncomfortable midday heat. The European Thali, Indian Burritos, Thai Cold Noodles and the Sweet Tooth Pancake are an absolute must-try!
Price: Budget
Opening Hours: 9am to 8pm
Watch out for: Chocolate Crepe
Address: M.G. Road Area, Puducherry, 605001, India
Owned by a hotel and located on the busy Gingee Salai right next to Hot Breads and the canals, it has a very commercial looking glass facade. But if you are living in Pondicherry, you will visit Bon Bakes again and again. They have the best Irish coffee cake, best coffee and it air-conditioned in this otherwise sultry town.Bon Bakes is primarily a bakers shop which also gives a very good view of what is happening on the street. Most establishments in Pondy insulate you in high walled French houses so that nothing of the outside can be seen. But on a lazy afternoon when there are no crowds, visit Bon Bakes and look at the traffic go by. It actually gives you a view of the Indian Pondicherry.
Cappuccino – The best
Prices – Medium
Wi-Fi – No
Ambience – A commercial bakers shop with a cafe style ambience and includes air-conditioning.
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