Dark roast
Think beyond black — that’s the tagline of this coffee house. Besides offering the staple black and filter kaapi, Varakappi, which opened a week ago, serves up local snacks like medu vadas, bajjis and bondas through the day. What we love about this places is their old-world decor that reminds us of Chettinadu. This 500 sq ft cafe also has the famous One Pot One Shot dum tea on its menu. Rs 15 onwards. CHIL SEZ IT Park Road, Keeranatham. Details: 8637647879
Hot spot
Named after where it is located, Hopes Cafe has managed to draw in the college-going crowd from the local tea stalls. Despite its quirky interiors (bulbs hanging from brass metal pies and coffee tables engraved with an ‘H’), this two-month-old joint provides customers with the quintessential Tamilian Arabica filter coffee (in a brass tumbler and dabara set). Also, check out their palkova milk. Rs 10 onwards. At Hopes College. Details: 9944644890
Raise a toast
Newest among the eateries that line Cross Cut Road, Kovai Kapi House aims at being a coffee spot, chaat centre and a quick-bite kiosk all rolled into one. The joint, which opened earlier this month, has a range of coffees — Coorg filter, black, sukku and cold — to choose from and a longer list of flavoured teas. If you are looking for a big bite we recommend you try the King Burger, a double patty vegetarian burger or their club sandwich. Filter coffee at Rs 20. Details: 4347484