Chennai’s House of Venu Krishna serves Andhra meals in a restored 120-year-old George Town landmark

It is hard to imagine that such a vintage, spacious and elegant building exists amid the congested lanes of Chennai’s George Town. It is only when I step into the palatial 120-year-old heritage structure that I truly believe it. House of Venu Krishna, which opened in March 2025, serves Andhra-style meals and snacks and has already established itself as a landmark in the neighbourhood.“My father, Y Venugopal, is a well-known pulse merchant in this area. During the pandemic, the owners and trustees of Vupputur Alwar Chetty Choultry were looking to lease the property and repurpose the heritage building, which had been functioning as a marriage hall,” says Ram Teja, who subsequently took the property on lease and launched House of Venu Krishna. Housed in a restored 120-year-old heritage structure, House of Venu Krishna blends old-world charm with a fine-dining ambience in the heart of George Town. | Photo Credit: SRINATH M In the evenings, the restaurant serves a range of Andhra tiffin specialities, including chilli bajji, punugulu, pesarattu, various dosas, idli and roti | Photo Credit: SRINATH M “The owners were keen on preserving the 4,800 sq ft structure, allowing only minimal alterations and refurbishments. As a result, the renovation took nearly two years, and work on the first floor is still under way,” he says.Ram says considerable thought went into creating the ambience of the restaurant. “Though we were not in the hospitality business earlier, we have long been part of the food supply chain. That enables me to source the finest ingredients directly from their places of origin. We procure six varieties of chilli from the Guntur region, tamarind from Tumakuru in Karnataka, peppercorns and turmeric from Araku Valley, and rice and pulses from the Nellore region,” he says.As we settle down for lunch, a fresh banana leaf is laid out and the meal begins with a serving of kesari. This is followed by roti pachadi (thogayal), dondakaya vepudu (ivy gourd roast), carrot poriyal, vada, pappad and mango pickle.What pleasantly surprised us was the serving of ragi sangati (ragi kali), accompanied by a generous ladle of brinjal pulusu, a spicy and tangy gravy made with tamarind, chilli powder and brinjal. The rustic pairing proved to be a winner, prompting us to go for a second helping of a dish that is rarely found on restaurant menus.Ram has assembled a team of cooks from Nellore who specialise in regional delicacies. All the spice powders used at the restaurant are prepared in-house. “Our pappu podi (paruppu podi) and ghee seem to have struck a chord with guests,” says Ram. Tucked away in the bustling lanes of Govindappa Naicken Street in Sowcarpet, House of Venu Krishna has quickly become a culinary landmark in Chennai’s George Town. | Photo Credit: SRINATH M Soon, piping hot rice is served on the banana leaf, followed by a generous drizzle of ghee. Mixing a portion of the rice with the fragrant pappu podi feels deeply satisfying, almost like dining at home. The Andhra-style sambar here differs noticeably from the version commonly found in Tamil Nadu. It is less tangy but decidedly spicier, with a liberal use of both red and green chillies.The daily menu also includes pappu (toor dal cooked with spinach), rasam, perugu pulusu (moru kuzhambu) and buttermilk, while curd is available at an additional cost. Guests seeking satvik fare can opt for the Jain menu, prepared without onion and garlic.In the evenings, the restaurant serves a range of Andhra tiffin specialities, including chilli bajji, punugulu, pesarattu, various dosas, idli and roti. Weekends are particularly busy, and the restaurant can accommodate nearly 120 diners. George Town is already home to a couple of popular Andhra meals establishments, but House of Venu Krishna stands apart. Housed in a 120-year-old heritage building, it offers a fine-dining experience amid the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood’s narrow lanes — a rarity in this part of the city.House of Venu Krishna is located on Govindappa Naicken Street in Sowcarpet. For enquiries, call 9841398128. Parking is available on the street only on Sundays. A vegetarian meal is priced at ₹200.