Chennai Cafe in Tempe, AZ

4.4(707)$20–30Tempe, AZ
True Hidden Gem 💎
CallDirectionsWebsite
Good value

Rated 4.4 stars based on 707 reviews.

  • Family-friendly
  • Budget-friendly
  • Quick service

Best for / Not ideal for

Best for

  • Families
  • Large groups
  • Quick meals
  • Casual dining
  • Budget dining

Not ideal for

  • Fine dining seekers

At a glance

Tempe, AZ • Price $20–30 • 4.4★
Chennai Cafe is an Indian buffet located in Tempe, AZ. Situated in the Mitchell Park East neighborhood, this establishment has garnered a rating of 4.4 stars from 707 reviews. The restaurant offers dining hours, and further details about their offerings can be found on their website or by phone. Chennai Cafe provides a specific type of dining experience for those in the Tempe area seeking Indian cuisine.

Good to know

  • Chennai Cafe has a listed address in Tempe, AZ, so visitors can confirm the exact location before going.
  • The page includes a 4.4-star rating from 707 reviews.
  • Website and phone details are available for checking current menu, hours, or availability.
This family-friendly Indian buffet welcomes diners of all ages. As a budget-friendly option, this buffet offers affordable dining.
Address
1158 W Washington St #104, Tempe, AZ 85281, Mitchell Park East, Tempe, AZ
Phone
(480) 687-4732
Today
11 AM–3 PM
Price
$20–30
Rating
4.4 (707 reviews)

What stands out

🍽️Delicious food

Multiple reviewers praise the taste and flavor

👥Friendly service

Attentive and helpful staff

✨Fresh, quality food

Multiple reviewers mention the freshness

🌟Nice atmosphere

Pleasant and welcoming environment

View reviews →

Not the Fastest

Score 25/100 · 2 positive signals
Quick bite score25/100
Speed signals
0/30
Grab-and-go
0/25
Budget-friendly
5/20
Time commitment
15/15
Convenience
5/10

What works

  • Moderate pricing
  • Ideal for quick meals

Keep in mind

  • No takeout option

Scored from service speed, takeout options, pricing, meal format, and lunch availability.

Trusted Rating

👍 4.4 weighted · 707 reviews
4.4weighted · raw 4.4 from 707 reviews
Trusted
Review volume vs. city median707 / 673.5 median
03,367.5 (Rock Solid threshold)
Rating spread on Yelp
5★
4★
3★
2★
1★

Relative share of Yelp ratings by star — bar length shows how ratings skew, not exact counts.

The trusted rating blends this place’s raw score (4.4) with the city average (4.45) using a Bayesian formula. Places with fewer reviews are pulled toward the city mean; places with 3367.5+ reviews carry their rating at nearly full weight.

Photos

1 photos

Hours & Location

Status: Hours available

Regular Hours

7 days
friday
11 AM–3 PM
monday
Closed
saturday
11 AM–3 PM
sunday
11 AM–3 PM
thursday
11 AM–3 PM
tuesday
11 AM–3 PM
wednesday
11 AM–3 PM

Pricing

Price range $20–30
Price range$20–30

Amenities & Services

Accessibility, service options, and dining details

Accessibility

Wheelchair, parking, and more
 Wheelchair accessible entrance Wheelchair accessible parking lot Wheelchair accessible restroom Wheelchair accessible seating

Amenities

Available facilities and features
 RestroomMany vegetarian optionsModerate noisePrivate lot parkingDogs allowed

Atmosphere

Ambiance and setting
 Casual

Service Options

Dine-in, takeout, delivery
 Delivery Onsite services Takeout Dine-in

Payment Methods

Accepted payment types
 Credit cards Debit cards N F C mobile payments

Highlights

Special features
 Great tea selection

Planning

Reservations and groups
 Accepts reservations

Popular Dishes

14 dishes reviewers mention most
  • Masala Dosa$14.9911 mentions
  • Sambar$6.999 mentions
  • Paratha$6.508 mentions
  • Chicken Curry$17.995 mentions
  • Idli$6.994 mentions
  • Paneer Butter Masala$16.994 mentions
  • Gobi Manchurian$15.993 mentions
  • Mysore Masala Dosa$14.992 mentions
  • Poori$6.992 mentions
  • Gulab Jamun$4.492 mentions
  • Veg Thali$23.991 mention
  • Chicken$13.991 mention
  • Bisi Bele Bath$14.991 mention
  • Muttai Dosai$16.991 mention

Dishes most frequently mentioned in Yelp reviews.

Full Menu

112 items with prices
  • Rasam$5.99

    A traditional South Indian sour and spicy soup.

  • Kozhi Rasam - Spicy Chicken Soup$9.99

    Spicy chicken soup loaded with South Indian spices and herbs.

  • Idli (2 Pieces)$6.99

    Steamed rice and lentil patties. Served with sambar and chutney.

  • Idli/ Vada$8.50

    Steamed rice, lentil patties and fried lentil donut. Served with sambar and chutney.

  • Dhai Vada (2 Pieces)$8.50

    Lentil donuts dipped in yogurt. Served with sambar and chutney.

  • Sambar Vada (2 Pieces)$8.99

    Fried lentils donuts dipped in sambar. Served with chutney.

  • Rasa Vada (2 Pieces)$6.99

    Fried lentil donuts dipped in rasam. Served with sambar and chutney.

  • Vegetable Samosa (2 Pieces)$6.99

    Crispy and flaky crust stuffed with potato, onions, and peas.

  • Samosa Chaat (2 Pieces)$8.99

    Vegetable samosa topped with garbanzo beans curry, chutney, tomato, and onion.

  • Mixed Veggie Pakora$9.50

    Deep-fried potatoes, cauliflower, onion, and chilies mixed with chickpea flour and spices and served with sambar and chutney.

  • Vegetable Cutlet (2 Pieces)$6.99

    Minced vegetable with spices, bread crumbed and deep fried.

  • Chili Pakora$8.50

    Hot peppers mixed with chickpeas, flour, and deep-fried.

  • Chaat Papri$9.50

    Crisp flour cookie sprinkled with puffed rice, crispy noodles and plain yogurt tossed with potatoes, onions, fresh coriander, and tamarind chutney.

  • Bhel Puri$9.50

    Crisp flour cookie sprinkled with puffed rice, crispy noodles and tossed with, onions, fresh coriander, and tamarind chutney.

  • Paneer Pakora$11.99

    Paneer coated with besan and deep fried. Served with mint chutney and tamarind chutney.

  • Idli Manchurian$9.99

    Steamed rice and lentil patties tossed in udupi special manchurian sauce. Served with sambar and chutney.

  • Assorted Appetizers$13.99

    Medu vada, veg samosa, veg cutlet and pakora.

  • Chicken 65$13.99

    Chicken cubes marinated in a mild savory mix and deep fried.

  • Medu Vada$6.50

    Fried lentil donuts. Served with sambar and chutney.

  • Veg Thali$23.99

    Roti, white rice, sambar, dhal, kootu, poriyal, rasam, paneer curry, curd, pickle, papad, and dessert.

  • Non-Veg Thali$25.99

    Non-veg appetizer, roti, white rice, dhal, 2 non-veg curry, rasam, curd, pickle and dessert.

  • Chennai Café Special Thali$26.99

    Idli, dosa (of your choice, excluded rava dosa), medu vada, sambar, chutney, dessert and tea or coffee.

  • Plain Uthappam$13.99

    Indian style pancake.

  • Tomato and Peas Uthappam$14.99

    Uthappam topped with tomatoes and peas.

Menu sourced from Yelp; items and prices may change.

Reviews

707 reviews

Reviews

Customer reviews available

Loading full reviews...

Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers about this buffet

What is the rating of Chennai Cafe?

Chennai Cafe has a 4.4-star rating based on 707 customer reviews.

Where is Chennai Cafe located?

Chennai Cafe is located at 1158 W Washington St #104, Tempe, AZ 85281, Mitchell Park East, Tempe, AZ.

📍Neighborhood Gem

A standout spot in a quiet area — people come here on purpose.

A standout spot in a quiet area — people come here on purpose.

Travel & Tourism
8
Food & Dining
6
Recreation & Entertainment
6
Financial Services
1
Transportation & Automotive
1
Miscellaneous Services
1

24 nearby places across 7 categories

Nearby Places

Local services, shops, and points of interest

24 places nearby (arts & culture, finance, food, services, recreation)

Museums

Hall of Flame Fire Museum

Museum

6101 East Van Buren Street

~0.4 mi

Banks

Altier Credit Union

Bank

1511 North Project Drive

~0.2 mi

Restaurants

Chennai Cafe

Restaurant

1158 West Washington Street

~11 ftMo off; Tu-Th 11:00-15:00,17:00-20:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-15:00,17:00-21:00; Su 11:00-15:00,17:00-20:00
+1-480-687-4732Website
Filiberto’s Mexican Food

Restaurant

~68 ft
LadyBug Cafe

Restaurant

1295 West Washington Street

~0.3 miMo-Fr 07:00-15:00
+1-602-867-4023Website

Cafes

Starbucks

Cafe

1158 West Washington Street

~117 ft
+1 602-225-0212Website

Fast Foods

Farm Cafe

Fast Food

~0.5 mi
Cavern Cafe

Fast Food

~0.6 mi

Shelters

Edward Forst Memorial

Shelter

~223 ft

Parks

SRP Desertwise Park

Park

~0.3 mi
Papago Park

Park

625 North Galvin Parkway

~1.0 miMo-Su 05:30-23:00
+1-602-495-5458Website
Tempe Town Lake North Beach - Boat Beach

Park

~1.0 miMo-Su 05:00-22:00
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area

Park

~4.2 misunrise-sunset
Website

Golf Courses

Rolling Hills Golf Course (Tempe)

Golf Course

1415 North Mill Avenue

~0.6 mi
+1-480-350-5275Website

Outdoor Seatings

Plaza de los Ninos

Outdoor Seating

~0.6 mi

Parkings

Project Administration Building Parking Garage

Parking

~0.3 mi

Attractions

Galapagos Tortoise

Attraction

~0.5 mi
Cow

Attraction

~0.6 mi
Petting Zoo

Attraction

~0.6 mi
Camel Rides

Attraction

~0.6 mi
Lemur

Attraction

~0.6 mi
Gibbon

Attraction

~0.6 mi
Rhino

Attraction

~0.6 mi

Zoos

Phoenix Zoo

Zoo

455 North Galvin Parkway

~0.7 mi