Crispy Fried Opinions’ Top 10 Dishes – Best of 2025

Wish you and your family a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2026!

Another year of dining out, and here’s the Top 10 dishes that I have had in 2025. As always, over a hundred posts to scan through, and its really never easy to pick a few. However, going by the only criteria if I would love to have that dish again at the next opportunity, I have compiled this list.

Last year, I had a chance to explore a lot of food options in Singapore. That said, I have kept that out of this list so as to not dilute the Top 10 that I have been compiling over the years.

There are also some very favorite places like Erode Amman Mess, Prems Graama Bhojanam, Courtallam Border Parotta, to name a few. If I were to add all of them to the list, there would hardly be a chance to look beyond. So they aren’t deliberately listed! They are the kind of places I’d visit at the drop of a hat.

Listed in no specific order, let’s look at the dishes !

A chicken fry which literally blew me off! Fantastic accompaniment with Biryani at Thahira Hotel, Kanchipuram. The Chicken was soft and tender, and the masala around it was finger-licking good! Saw a lot of mixed reactions on this post, but nothing good enough to change my opinion on this dish! An absolute stunner!

Another dish that was actually a pleasant surprise at a restobar was Muttai First, at Ministry of Drinks, Nandanam. Chilli Egg packed and covered with an egg omelette, topped with mayo and dressing, it is a delight for egg lovers!

One of my favorite restaurants for Punjabi food, Bhangra, on ECR serves a delectable Veg Thali available on weekdays that serves 2 eaters. Couldn’t be happier seeing so many favorite dishes in one plate – A fantastic Tomato soup, Aloo Bharwan, Paneer Tikka and Veg Seekh for starters, Lacha Paratha and Tandoori Roti, Dal Makhni and other subzis, Pulav with Raita, Kheer and Gulab Jamun, an overdose of goodness!

This dish probably figured in the Top 10 of previous years, can’t quite remember, but this is a must-try for me when I’m in The Mayflower. This was at their Anna Nagar outlet. Fantastic Khow Suey in the city!

On a rainy evening, completely drenched and dried, a dear friend and I entered Geetham, Anna Salai only to see a variety of Idli variants on the menu. Pleasantly surprised, we ordered Geetham Idli Fries, Idli Arancini Balls, among other dishes, which I thought was a very interesting twist to the humble idli. Tasted yumm!

One of the very few places in Chennai which serve a good Misal Pav – Cafe Paav & Chat, Thiruvanmiyur. In addition to their Misal, they serve a fantastic Vadapav and Pav Bhaji too. Love the place and one of the places I would readily go back to have any of these.

A dish so tasty that I couldn’t leave without a takeaway for family! That is how Kaju Paneer with Cheese Chilli Garlic Naan tasted at Food Nirvana, R A Puram. So many places serve a Paneer gravy with Indian breads, but to make such an impression was nothing short of stupendous!

A personal favorite Bar in Chennai – Crystal Bar, Hotel Ranjith, Nungambakkam, and this is the first order every single time! 🙂 Chicken Afghani, soft strips of wok-tossed chicken, absolutely flavorsome and a brilliant accompaniment to Beer ! Would love to have this any day, any time! 🙂

One of the most simple dinners I’ve had at Pind, Velachery. As a solo diner, ordered just three Tandoori Parathas – Aloo, Gobi and Pyaaz! Brilliant, tasted wonderful with the mixed Veg Achaar, Raita and Mint Chutney. Truly comforting!

The most recently tried Misal Thali at Renuka Misal & Restaurant, Shirdi! This authentic Maharashtrian Breakfast was mind blowing! Not just this dish, but relished every dish I had there – Thalipeeth and Thecha, Bakhri and Pitla, and so on!

Needless to say, no two palates are the same, and I don’t expect everyone to agree with whatever is listed. here This is merely my perspective and humble opinion.