The Tanjore Tiffin Room

The servers at this intimate, laidback South Indian bistro won’t let you order a main course until you’ve worked through the 4x4 tasting caddy, a spectrum of curries, rice dishes, and gravies. That’s fine by us—it’s a punchy start to a meal of traditional Deccan dishes. We're more than happy to revisit this bungalow-like space in Bandra and run through the entire menu, which is inspired by the owner’s grandma’s cooking. Gravitate toward the more tangy flavors, like the vatha kolumbu, lemon rice, and sambhar, or the roasted spice-based dishes like egg thokku masala and Chettinad curry if you need heat. The Tanjore Tiffin Room is in a dull, nondescript building, but inside, it’s full of botanical murals and tasseled lampshades, and feels like the living room of a stylish relative. We always pretend that we’ve left the city, if only for a relaxed lunch date, or dinner with friends. 

photo credit: Vikas Munipalle