Mint dosa

You'll find this compact South Indian canteen just off the Civic Centre Road, where the aroma of coconut chutney and sambar hits you the moment you walk through the door. The menu reads like a love letter to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu street food – think crispy masala dosas the size of dinner plates, fluffy uttapam pancakes, and proper biryanis that arrive steaming hot in metal bowls. The portions are generous, the spice levels are authentic (they don't tone it down for timid palates), and at under a tenner for most mains, it's ridiculously good value. The weekend breakfast menu is particularly strong – their pongal with ghee and black pepper is comfort food gold. It's not fancy, but when the food is this good and this affordable, who cares about white tablecloths?