The Tanjore Tiffin Room; NESCO’s Warm, Inviting Space with an Authentic Menu

Tiled roof, wooden doors, brass diyas and decor that showcased the beauty and grace of Tamil Nadu; that’s the vibe of The Tanjore Tiffin Room. Nestled in Goregaon’s busy NESCO area, is this space that seems like it’s taken you to a Tanjore house itself. With plenty of seating and a live panayaram station, the restaurant’s third outlet in Mumbai was a pleasant experience. Local Samosa checked it out and it has landed on our must-visit list for a reason!

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Ambience, Ambience, Ambience

The Tanjore Tiffin Room blends vibrant Spanish and European influences, with bold colours like vibrant greens and reds adorning the furniture, creating a lively yet welcoming atmosphere. Spanning 3,000 square feet, it’s the largest of the chain. A brownie point for the space for offering both indoor and outdoor seating, catering to different dining preferences. Inside, the restaurant transports you straight into a Tamil household, with earthy tones, vintage memorabilia on the walls, and hand-painted artwork that adds character to the bar area. The outdoor seating offers a peaceful escape, surrounded by lush greenery and softly glowing brass diyas that light up beautifully in the evening. 

Chef Ajay Samtani, Executive Chef, brings the flavours of Tamil Nadu to this NESCO-funded Goregaon space, run by TTTR. The ambience creates a relaxed, family-style atmosphere, making you feel at home, while the cocktails perfectly complement the food, enhancing the flavours without overpowering them. With around 140 seats, this venue is a perfect addition to the other two, delivering an intimate and authentic culinary journey.

The best part? On every table you will find a tiny plate with some water and mogra (jasmine) buds that add to the vibe all meal long!

The Menu: A Journey of Taste

The Tanjore Tiffin Room is anything but ordinary, especially when it comes to food. Not just the taste and flavour, but also how it is served and introduced. TTTR is one of the few places in India that offers a tasting menu of all its curries and rice that is accompanied by the server taking you through a journey of flavours as you taste, marvel and struggle to pick just a few. It’s just that special!

A Taste of Tamil Nadu

The food at The Tanjore Tiffin Room is a celebration of Tamil cuisine, offering a culinary journey that goes beyond just a meal. Highlights include the Mini Gunpowder Idlis, tossed in a smoky mix of malgapodi, ghee, and sesame seeds, which we couldn’t get enough of. The Marina Beach Sundal, a zesty blend of vatana, raw mango, shredded coconut, and onions, is mentioned in the reviews quite often. The Yam Cutlet, Mushroom Pepper Fry, Madras Madurai-style Roast Chicken Wings are all crowd-favourites. You can also savour Padmini’s Mutton Cutlet, a homestyle, spicy mince, or the Surmai Fry, where fish is marinated in a robust masala and fried to crispy perfection.

We were served Rasam shots with papads sprinkled with spices, and there couldn’t have been a tastier start to the food journey. The panayaram, which have their very own live station in the outside section, were delectable. We tried the Mutton Ghee Roast and Chilli Cheese varieties, which received a nod of appreciation. The standout appetisers for us were definitely the authentic Chicken 65 and Karaikudi Fried Prawns.

For mains, indulge in iconic Tamil dishes like Ennai Kathirikka, small brinjals simmered in a tangy tamarind curry with freshly ground masala, and Poriyal, a medley of mixed vegetables sautéed with grated coconut. We also got the Madras Railway Curry, a creamy, coconut-rich dish, along with Uma Athai’s Curry and Yellow Coconut Curry.

To accompany the main course, we chose steamed rice, dosa, and appams. The rice selection includes tempting options like Jackfruit, Prawn, and Egg Biryani, as well as traditional favourites such as Lemon and sambal rice. 

Dessert ke bina khaan? Impossible. The Payasam was a cool, sweet delight that had nostalgia all over it. The queen of desserts was the Mysore Pak which melted in the mouth, leaving nothing but sweetness behind.

On the Rocks

The Tanjore Tiffin Room serves up a thoughtfully curated cocktail menu that’s as vibrant as its cuisine. Sip on inventive creations like Chellama, a tequila-based spicy blend with a kick of chili and kokum or Thalaivah, where tamarind, coconut, and dark rum come together for a bold mix. These are the most popular ones. The Nalla Nerum, a refreshing gin and tonic made with house-infused Kashmiri Kawah and the Gold Member, a smooth whiskey cocktail with ginger beer and a zesty hint of lime are solid choices for those who like it strong. Our favourite turned out to be Sundance Kid, a tropical tequila concoction with passion fruit, lime, and a crispy pineapple garnish that adds the perfect finishing touch.

With the warmth of Tamilian home-style cooking at its heart, The Tanjore Tiffin Room offers a truly immersive dining experience that celebrates the flavours, culture, and hospitality of Tamil Nadu. It’s a place where every bite and sip transports you closer to the soul of South India.