Think Udipi cuisine and Mathysa is what comes to mind. Located in the middle of a busy Egmore street, Mathysa is home to the famed Udipi thali. This is a four-course meal, so ensure that you go famished.

So, what comprises this special thali? Well, for starters, the vadas are soaked in mouth-watering minty coriander rasam. Then there are tiny scrumptious Mangalore bondas, steamed guliappas made of rice and dal, delightfully seasoned with ginger, chilli and mustard seeds, and a refreshing change from the ubiquitous idlis. The Mangalore bun, on the other hand, is stuffed with a mix of mashed banana and yoghurt.

The main course consists of two kinds of dosas; one that’s made of greens, such as, palak, methi and coriander, while the other is the delightfully-tangy Uppu puli dosa. An assortment of flavoured rice such as bisebele bath, chitranan (a milder version of the tamarind rice), sanaa (coconut rice), and curd rice, an all-time southern favourite, completes this medley.

Besides these, vegetables, curries, and assorted fruits accompanied with curd and honey complete the thali. And if you aren’t already full, you can end on a sweet note with the Bajri Dosa which basically is neer dosa served with a bowl of coconut, cardamom and jaggery mix.

Efficient service, coupled with reasonable prices, makes this place a must-visit for those wanting to try something different. Though Mathsya has Chinese, Continental and Tandoori items in the menu, its Udipi thali finds maximum takers.

Time to dig in, what say?