Soul Garden Bistro: Next-level Vegetarian Dining

Location: New Avadi Road, Kilpauk, Chennai

Timings: 11AM to 11PM Monday-Sunday

If you are looking for a restaurant that excels in serving all types of cuisines, Soul Garden is the place to go. The open-all-day vegetarian diner located on the busy New Avadi Road, is tucked away, providing a sanctuary for customers from the hustle and bustle on the street. The restaurant is enclosed by fellow eateries 196 Degrees Below and Antari providing customers with dessert options after a hearty meal at Soul Garden.

You are welcomed to Soul Garden by its garden-like atmosphere that serves as an intimate backdrop to a classy yet comfortable dining experience. Long before the food arrives you will fall in love with bistro’s interiors. The walls are covered with a pale green floral wall-paper and long glass windows that give the restaurant a European vibe and a casual ambience. Each table is overcast by a modernistic lightbulb that provides the perfect lighting for a first date or an impromptu dinner with family. The restaurant can seat about 10 people indoors approximately 20 people in the garden outside which also doubles as a party space.

The restaurant is the brainchild of Jignesh Pujara who also brought Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt to Chennai. Soul Garden Bistro has won many awards including ‘Best Restaurant of 2018’ and rightfully so because not only does the food look great on your plate, it is also a treat for the taste buds.

THE FOOD:

We started our meal with crispy fried corn for starters. The baby corn was deep fried, dipped in a tangy tomato sauce and garnished with Chinese spices. The flavor from the spices bursts in your mouth when you take your fist bite and leaves you craving more.

Our second course was aloo paratha. It was served with a side of yogurt and achaar (pickle) and was truly mouth-watering. The paratha glazed in butter, glistened under the lights and the bread, soft and warm, melted in your mouth with your first bite. The stuffing of the paratha, the aloo (potato), was fresh and paired with the achaar or creamy yogurt, creates a zing in your mouth.

The third course of the day was lasagna, Soul Garden took a traditional Italian meal and gave it its own Indian infusion that provided an iconic twist to the well-known dish. Served in a 5 by 5 piping hot pan, it relies on the concept of layering, the vegetables are sautéed in a pan with béchamel sauce to give a creamy delicate taste. The layer starts with lasagna noodles, topped with Bolognese sauce and the vegetables are added to this layer, the final garnish is the cheesy ricotta. Once brought to the table, its aromatic flavors were tingling my taste buds and in each bite, I could taste each layer perfectly crafted.

We finished things off with some creamistry at 196 Degrees Below. For all the sweet-toothers out there the Monster Milkshake is a must-try. With a base of chocolate milkshake, the dessert has all the toppings of any chocolate lovers fantasy. It has brownies, whipped cream, chocolate-chips, and rainbow sprinkles to name a few. The milkshake is truly sinful and should be on your bucket-list of desserts to try in Chennai. It is one-of-a kind and visually pleasing. Instagram-worthy anyone?

Overall, Soul Garden is where you can find a fusion of cultural foods in one restaurant. With its savory food and eclectic style, this diner is an excellent option for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. Make sure to visit Soul Garden for a soulful dining experience!