Madras Day 2026: How Chennai city went from tiffin carriers to food apps

There was a time when a stainless-steel tiffin carrier packed with home-cooked food was an essential part of everyday life in Chennai. Today, that familiar sight is slowly disappearing, replaced by neighbourhood eateries, restaurants, cafés, food-delivery apps and subscription kitchens.

When writer Sivasankari, 82, looks back at Madras of the 1960s and 1970s, she vividly remembers the city’s desserts and ice creams. “Gaylord on Anna Salai, close to my office, and Jaffers, also on Anna Salai, were known for their ice creams, which were of international standard. Peach melba at Jaffers was my all-time favourite.”