Chettinad Plates, Biryani, and Thalis on Lexington Avenue

Anjappar brings authentic Chennai style Chettinad cooking to 116 Lexington Ave, with the kind of menu that lets a table move from hot appetizers and dosas to aromatic egg biryani and multi dish vegetable thalis. The flavors stay sharp and regional, while the kitchen keeps service moving even during quieter mid afternoon hours. The kitchen is open Tuesday through Sunday, starting at noon, and runs later on Friday and Saturday.

That pace makes the restaurant easy to plan for a table with different appetites. The group advantage is that large groups can pre order meals so everything is ready when they arrive, a rare bit of calm when everyone wants something different. The room has the familiar decor of a typical Indian chain restaurant, yet the food carries a clear Chennai point of view. It is a Manhattan address worth keeping in the rotation for a quick lunch or a shared evening meal.