Podi & Poriyal

Podi & Poriyal is a vegetarian South Indian restaurant and bar at 486 Serangoon Road, on the edge of Little India. It serves home-style dishes from South India, along with cocktails and other drinks made with fresh ingredients.

The restaurant opened in 2019. Co-founder Kavitha Chakravarti has said the aim is to show South Indian home recipes that are less well known in Singapore. The name comes from two staples: podi, a spicy powder of ground lentils, and poriyal, a dish of sautéed vegetables. The Michelin Guide included it in its 2026 round-up of the best Indian food in Singapore.

What to order

Start with the signature Which Podi? mini idli. These bite-sized steamed rice cakes are tossed in a podi blend that changes each week. They come with a cashew and coconut chutney. The Michelin Guide also rates the podi dosai with a poriyal filling.

The menu is split into snacks, small plates and large plates for sharing. Dishes that reviewers have picked out include:

• Edamame sundal, a spiced bean snack
• Avocado jackfruit papad
• Cabbage poriyal
• Double decker parotta
• Black sesame and palm jaggery halwa for dessert

House chutneys have included ridge gourd, coconut and tomato. To drink, there are cocktails made with Indian ingredients, such as a curry leaf gin fizz, plus masala chai and kokum soda. The menu changes from time to time, so some dishes may differ when you visit.

The setting

The restaurant fills a restored heritage building on Serangoon Road. Its design takes cues from the grand mansions of Chettinad in Tamil Nadu. Vintage cooking tools and old photographs from the region are on display. The mood is relaxed and social, and the food suits sharing with friends or family.

Good to know before you go

• Dietary needs: the whole menu is vegetarian, with vegan, gluten-free and allium-free options. Allium-free means no onion or garlic.
• Banana leaf meals: the team can arrange a traditional banana leaf meal on a menu planned for your group. Our guide to banana leaf rice in Little India explains how the meal works.
• Events: a private space on the second floor of the building hosts small celebrations.
• Reservations: you can book online, and the team answers enquiries by WhatsApp.

Getting there

The restaurant is at the northern end of Little India, on the main road through the district. Farrer Park MRT station is a short walk away.

Nearby

This end of Serangoon Road is good for a food and shopping walk. Mustafa Centre, the large department store, is within walking distance. For another South Indian vegetarian meal, MTR Singapore is also on Serangoon Road. Our list of dishes to try in Little India will help you plan a few stops.

You can also browse more Indian restaurants, read our vegetarian and vegan guides, or see all restaurants in Little India and Jalan Besar.