Double Roti
The Hindu · May 2026
BORN is a Chennai based restaurant group driven by one idea: that eating out isn't just about food, it's about the universe you step into. Eight restaurants. Two cities. Every one of them a world of its own, built on flavour, obsession, and a refusal to be ordinary.
"To transform the ordinary into the extraordinary by crafting unforgettable dining experiences, inspiring a passionate team, and continuously redefining the future of food and beverage."
Six restaurants. Six distinct universes. Each built from the ground up around one obsession. Read the concept, then walk through the door.
Bold. Messy. Joyful.
The cheeky burger-and-sandwich bar Chennai grew up wanting. With outposts in Anna Nagar, and Teynampet, Double Roti is the "friend your mom warned you about." A playful, casually loud space where the menu reads like a punchline (think Area 69, Houston We've Got a Problem) and the food is anything but. Burgers, loaded nachos, quesadillas, pastas, milkshakes, and a Madras coffee shake that pulls more weight than it should. Vibrant, unfussy, and made for the table that always orders one more round.
BORN all week · 12 PM – 11 PMBest for Quick runs, group hangs, rooftop sports screenings.
Deep. Quiet. Electric.
Chennai's new Japanese-leaning takeover, dialled up. Inspired by Tokyo's neon-lit streets and Japan's pop energy, Double Dashi is fast, fun, and built for the curious eater. Ramen, takoyaki, mochi, and bento-style plates with a side of attitude. Bright, loud, unapologetically pop, and here to feed a city that's ready to try everything once.
BORN all week · 12:30 – 4 PM & 6:30 – 11 PMBest for Date nights, ramen lovers, and those who find the door.
Loud. Warm. Celebratory.
Chennai's loudest, brightest fun-dining concept. Less North, less South, just India on its jolly mood. Set in Alwarpet, Jolly Indian is a retro pop-culture love letter to the country's colourful, slightly chaotic dining soul. Jolly Wall with its quirks, a dhol at the entry, a paan counter at the exit, and a menu split between Regular (the classics done properly) and Jolly (the classics flipped on their head, like cauliflower steak aloo gobi, smoked pineapple chaat, Newton tikka, Gucchi pulao with truffle and morels). Built for shared plates, long evenings, and the kind of table that's halfway between a family dinner and a party. Walk in hungry, walk out smiling.
BORN all week · 12 – 3:30 PM & 7 – 11 PMBest for Birthdays, date nights, group celebrations.
Bright. Bold. Borderless.
An elevated Southeast Asian diner from the team at BORN (Beyond Ordinary Restaurants and Nosh). Set on CP Ramaswamy Road in Alwarpet, FUFU roams across China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Sushi, dim sum, okonomiyaki, tom yum, tiger milk tea, mochi, with bold, unapologetic flavours and a few playful curveballs (yes, including a "mouthwash" Craft drink). A 90-seater built for slow, indulgent meals.
BORN all week · 12 – 3:30 PM & 7 – 11 PMBest for Adventurous group dinners and serious Asian food lovers.
Slow. Golden. Unhurried.
A leafy little escape in the heart of White Town, Pondicherry. Cherrypond is half garden café, half cocktail bar. The kind of place you wander in for a coffee and stay for dinner because the breeze is good and nobody's in a hurry. Laid-back, lush, and quietly stylish, with a kitchen that does comfort food, dessert, and a drinks list that holds its own. Mornings are slow, evenings are warm, and the staff makes you feel like you've been there before.
BORN all week · 8 AM – 11 PMBest for Lazy brunches, sundowners, romantic evenings in the French quarter.
Clean. Considered. Alive.
Tastier meetings. Smarter spaces. Aligned minds. Tucked in Alwarpet, Sortd is the café Chennai's working crowd has been waiting for. The comfort of a neighbourhood spot crossed with the polish of a private workspace. Bookable meeting rooms come with seamless tech, adjustable lighting, and tables built for actual work, not balancing acts. The kitchen does the rest: Turkish breakfasts and eggs done properly, hearty South and North Indian plates, pizzas, pastas, salads, and shakes. Real food, plated for ease and served hot. Pitch a client, huddle with the team, or settle in for a long lunch. Meetings get tastier here.
BORN all week · 8 AM – 11 PMBest for Remote work, specialty coffee, long afternoon sessions.
Chief Dreamer
Chief Dreamer
Flavour Architect
Chef Partner
People Gardener
Head - People & Culture
Chief Noise Maker
Manager - Marketing
Brand Architect
Manager - NSO & Brands
Supply Chain Whisperer
Head - Procurement
Number Whisperer
Manager - Finance
BORN isn't just a restaurant group. It's a movement for people who refuse to be ordinary. If that sounds like you - we want to hear from you.
"Don't see your role here? That's fine. We hire for character, not just job descriptions. Write to us anyway."
Drop Us a NoteWhat is BORN restaurant group?
BORN (Beyond Ordinary Restaurants & Nosh) is a Chennai-based restaurant group founded by Manoj Padmanaban and Japtej Singh Ahluwalia. It operates Double Roti, Double Dashi, Jolly Indian, FUFU, and SORTD in Chennai, and CherryPond Café and Bar in White Town, Pondicherry.
What are the best restaurants in Chennai?
BORN operates five of Chennai's most distinctive restaurants - Double Roti (burger bar, Alwarpet, Anna Nagar, Neelangarai & Ramapuram), Double Dashi (Japanese + speakeasy, Alwarpet, Anna Nagar, Neelangarai & Ramapuram), Jolly Indian (modern Indian, Alwarpet), FUFU (pan-Asian, Alwarpet), and SORTD (specialty café, Alwarpet).
Is there a Japanese restaurant with a speakeasy bar in Chennai?
Yes. Double Dashi in Annanagar and Alwarpet conceals a hidden speakeasy bar behind its Japanese kitchen - the only concealed bar concept in Chennai. The restaurant serves house-simmered ramen, fresh sashimi, temaki, and handmade gyoza.
Where can I find pan-Asian food in Chennai?
FUFU in Alwarpet is the city's most talked-about pan-Asian restaurant - Thai curries, fresh sushi, wok-charred noodles, handmade dim sum, and miso black cod. Located at 61/45 CP Ramaswamy Road. Reservation: 9600037124.
Where can I get the best ramen in Chennai?
Double Dashi serves the best ramen in Chennai - house-simmered tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu broths, with noodles cooked to order. Operating in Annanagar (8925992162) and Alwarpet (8925992163).
Where can I get the best burgers in Chennai?
Double Roti in Annanagar and Alwarpet is Chennai's favourite burger bar - signature smash burgers, loaded fries, grilled sandwiches, and thick milkshakes. The Annanagar branch has a rooftop popular for group hangouts and sports screenings.
What is the best café for remote work in Chennai?
SORTD in Alwarpet is Chennai's top pick for remote work - private work pods, a glass-house terrace, single-origin specialty coffee, and an all-day food menu. Sir CV Raman Rd, Alwarpet. Reservation: 7200416603.
What is the best café and bar in Pondicherry?
CherryPond Café and Bar at 10 Suffren St, White Town, is a heritage garden café running from morning coffee through evening cocktails in a French colonial courtyard. Known for crafted cocktails and unhurried afternoons. Reservation: 9566616364.
What is the best restaurant for a birthday dinner in Chennai?
Jolly Indian in Alwarpet is the top pick for celebrations - vibrant atmosphere, specialised kebabs, Newton tikka, layered biryanis, and bold regional curries. Full vegetarian menu available. 61/45 CP Ramaswamy Rd. Reservation: 9600037357.