The best time to visit this pleasant seaside temple town is between mid-Jan and mid-Feb. The weather’s great and more importantly, the annual Mammalapuram Dance Festival is on when the best performers of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi and Kathakali perform on weekends through the month. The harvest festival of Pongal is also celebrated around then.
The best restaurants are usually in the hotels.
Hotel Veeras, 106 E Raja St, has a good restaurant.
Sunrise Vegetarian Hut, 7 Otthavadai Street, the same streetthat the Rama Krishna Lodge is on, is a pure vegetarian restaurant. The idlis are good.
Sagar opposite the Government College of Architecture, has North Indian thalis during lunch and dinner.
La Vie en Rose nearby, has good French food.
Gazebo E Raja St, serves Indian and Chinese food. It is one of the best places in town.
Moonrakers Othavadai St, is a popular place with travelers. It has good food and a good sound system.
Mamalla Bhavan, by the bus stand on E Raja St, is a cheap veg thali place that also has good South Indian dishes. They make good masala dosas.
Mamalla Bhavan Annexe on the main street, has the very good Golden Pallate veg restaurant. They often have live classical Indian music outside in the courtyard in the evening. They serve Indian and Continental food. They have a good Dosa Platter and good ice cream. Recommended.
Pumpernickel Bakery, on top of the Uma Lodge, 15 Othavadai St, is part German and part Nepali managed. It has good cakes, breads, sandwiches, Chinese, and full meals. It is a laid-back, recommended place.
Tina Blue View has a pleasant atmosphere and food. It is on the balcony of the hotel and it has a good view of the sea and temple.
Curiosity Restaurant has good food and breakfasts.
Silver Sands Hotel has a very good restaurant in a nice setting.
Ideal Beach Resort has a good restaurant serving Indian, Continental and Sri Lankan cuisine. It is located in a nice garden.
Shopping in Mahabalipuram is a tremendous opportunity to collect memorabilia, souvenirs and gifts to take back home for friends and family. Shopping in Mahabalipuram comprises mainly of stone sculpture; idols of gods and goddesses on soapstone, granite and wood; jewelry and decorative items made of seashells; cane objects and woodcarvings. For Shopping in Mahabalipuram, Mount Road is the favorite place for the tourists followed by Poompuhar. The most reliable places for Shopping in Mahabalipuram are the emporia and government shops. They have fixed prices, products of trusted quality and above all no bargaining.
.jpg)
