Amazing Breakfast @ Kanchi Cafe

Date: 13.11.2024

Meal: Breakfast

No: of Pax: 02

Cover Story:

Kanchi Café, located in Hitech city, has been one of my most favorite South Indian eateries for the past year. I try to visit this place at least once a month. A good to know information about this place is that it is owned and operated by a familiar Tea kiosk brand spread across the city by the name of Tea Time. Kanchi Café is presently their only restaurant and I hope they expand to more locations across Hyderabad.

The Restaurant:

The place has a good ambience and is quite big. The décor or rather the build itself brings back images of the Kakatiya University in Warangal. The café has a mix of seating and standing options. Orders need to be placed at the counter or you can use the Kiosk (as we see in McDonald’s). The restaurant follows a token system for orders.

The Menu:

The menu is displayed above the counter using TV screens. What I really like about the menu is that it is limited; unlike those in other restaurants that have 10-15 types of each Dosa which confuses you about which one to order. They also have a Tea/Coffee station separately available.

Note: 5% GST Extra.

The Order:

Before we go in-detail, lets first jot down what we ordered along with the prices.

• Ghee Podi Thatte Idli (1 pc) – Rs 97

• Medu Vada (2 pcs)– Rs 69

• Rava Onion Podi Masala Dosa – Rs 131

• Cold Coffee – Rs 129

FYI, 3 types of chutney are available and they are available just near the food collection counter. Sambar is also served with the food. The chutneys are:

• Allam Chutney – Sweet and Spicy

• Green Chutney – Regular chutney with Pudina

• Peanut Chutney

  
  

The Food Review:

Let's dig in. The food and the review. We will go one dish at a time. Let's begin:

• Ghee Podi Thatte Idli: This is one of the best Idlis I have eaten ever. One big piece of idli is served with Podi and ghee on top. It's amazingly soft and smooth on the palette. I can eat the idli without any chutney or sambar as well, it’s that good.

• Medu Vada: Look and feel for the Medu Vada is just like any other vada available in the city, however it is very light as you eat it. Vada batter is made with Urad Dal and on most occasions, they turn out to be really heavy, both on the palette as well as the tummy, but this one is very light indeed.

• Rava Onion Podi Masala Dosa: I have visited Kanchi Café earlier as well; however, this was my first time ordering their Rava Dosa and oh boy they didn’t disappoint. Let’s add another dish to their “Light” food. Rava dosas are big and for some people it is all they can have, but I can bet that this dosa is so light that most people can finish this one and still have some hunger left. The dosa was crisp, the masala perfectly seasoned and the podi added the punch. We just loved it.

• Cold Coffee: Move over the CCDs, Baristas and Starbuckses, this coffee is badass. For 129 rupees you get a thick and creamy coffee with a wholesome helping of chocolate syrup. I genuinely feel that if some day these guys decide to open a Coffee Center separately, they can give the giants a run for their money for sure.Just FYI, I am not a Hot Coffee guy, however, I did ask my friends earlier to try their Filter Coffee and they loved it.

  
  

Final Verdict:

I had an amazing breakfast at Kanchi Cafe. Whenever I visit the Kanchi, the taste lingers on my tongue or rather my brain for next couple of days. It could possibly just be me who is having this connect, but I do need to say that whenever I make that “Food” connection, it’s always a strong one.

Coming back to the verdict, I’d say that I love this place, and the taste keeps getting me back here for more. Compared to other places serving similar fare, the cost is surely more. The cost is lower than a Chutneys, but certainly higher than Swach or Taaza Kitchen or the local Tiffin center. Yeah, this probably will not be the regular Sunday joint for breakfast for many people, but it can surely be a once in a month place for most people. I would recommend everyone to give this place a try at least once.

Other Must Try items:

Filter Coffee | Garlic Roast Dosa (it’s a bit spicy) | Pomegranate Mint Juice

Ratings:

Ambience: 5/10

Food: 8/10

Mirchi Scale: 4/10

Cost Category: Cheap | Budget Friendly | Economical | High-Priced | Exorbitant

Cost for 2 (Including 1 idli, dosa and filter coffee each): Rs 250 (approx.)

Basic Information:

Name of Restaurant: Kanchi Cafe

Address: Plot No 19, Opp to Cyber Pearl, Hitech City, Madhapur, Hyderabad, Telangana 500081

Timings: 7 am to 12 am (Mid Night)

***Special thanks to my friend Harshit Rai for accompanying me and taking the pictures.