Hot on the vegetarian restaurant trail in Pondicherry

Surguru SpotFor authentic South Indian food Surguru Spot a vegetarian restaurant is perfect for a quick bite Service is super fast service and its menu is a delight for southern delicacies Order their Surguru Special Thali to get a taste of different curries and rice preparations or go authentic with plain Dosa Masala Dosa or Rava Masala Served only for dinner the Chilly Parotta is a musttryCall 4134308084Cafe Des Art in the French quarter offers fresh food and has a quaint quirky vibe to it PicPallavi GuptaECR DhabaLocated near the crocodile bank on the East Coast Road ECR Dhaba is a great stop for north Indian food With a good variety for vegetarians the restaurant serves a big menu of Indian and IndoChinese cuisine Try the Gobi Manchurian Dal and Paneer accompanied by naan tandoori roti or the regular chapati Priced a bit on the costlier side ECR Dhaba boats of a rustic ambianceCall918056011121Unwind at La Maison Rose PicsPallavi Gupta Villa ShantiA hotel with contemporary French architecture this restaurant and bar has a fine selection of vegetarian food An open courtyard surrounded with plants and lanterns it is perfect for dinner Start the evening by sipping on their cocktails accompanied by the Green Papaya Salad or Masala Fried Vegetables a tweak on Masala Fried Chicken listed on the regular menu Vegetarian curries and Dals are flavourful but for a Continental flare try the Zucchini Pancakes with walnuts or the Mr amp Mrs Smith Pasta Sign off your meal with the Orange amp Almond Cake or Crepe SuzetteCall4134200028Log on towwwlavillashanticomTantoTanto is the only place that serves woodfired pizza between Pondicherry and Auroville It tends to get crowded over weekends and holidays Try one of the pizzas from their huge variety accompanied by fresh salads or pastas End the meal either with the Panna Cotta Tiramisu or a Fresh Fruit SorbetCall 4132622368Log on towwwfacebookcomTantoPizzeriaCafe Des ArtsTucked on Rue Suffren in the French pocket mdash Cafe Des Arts is a charming find A historic FrancoTamil house converted into a cafe the place has a whimsical vibe All dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients Try their Tabbouleh Salad with fresh juices or else opt for their Crepes or Toasted Baguette SandwichesCall4134210540Log on towwwcafedesartspondicherrycomA panoramic view of Pondicherry with the Promenade Road that faces the Bay of Bengal The union territory offers a surprisingly wide variety of vegetarian fareLa Maison RoseA beautiful cafeacute located in a restored building itrsquos ideal to relax over good food Located in a courtyard surrounded by plants trees and a fishpond it offers dishes from across the world Vegetable Couscous and Grilled Zucchini Carpaccio are great vegetarian choices Accompany your meal with their La Maison Rose special drink gin or vodka with lychee juice soda mint and ginger and end on a sweet note with the New York CheesecakeCall 4134210806Log on towwwlamaisonrosepondicherrycomNaturallment CafeTucked away in the foliage of Auroville Naturallment Garden Cafe is a quaint space with a variety of pastas salads fresh juices and breads An al fresco stylecafe surrounded by a lush garden itrsquos ideal for brunch or lunch All food is made with local organically grown ingredients Try their Bruschettas Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce and Cheese Herbed Crepe with Tomato Sauce and Tiramisu Naturallment also has a wide selection of jams jellies granola syrups and pickles all produced inhouse A mustvisitCall4132622034 Log on towwwnaturellementinHotel MamallaOne of the most popular tourist spots is Hotel Mamalla Located near the famous spot of Mahabalipuram mdash Mamalla is a vegetarian restaurant serving traditional South Indian cuisine This airconditioned restaurant always a relief with high temperatures here offers quick service and prices are extremely affordable Try their authentic Dosas Uttapams or Thalis mdash the flavours are bound to give you a gastronomic welcome to the regionCall 04427442060Log on to wwwmamallahotels commotelmamalla