What began forty years ago as a man selling his wife’s homemade idlis from a corner in Matunga is now Ayyappan Idli, a bustling open-air eatery that has grown into a neighborhood institution without ever leaving its original spot. Situated on Bhau Daji Road, adjacent to a couple of local temples, the whole setup is more of a stall than a restaurant. There’s no formal interior – just a simple shed covering an outdoor seating area that handles a constant flow of people looking for a quick, authentic meal.
The menu has expanded dramatically from its humble beginnings. Today, it lists over 40 types of dosas and a dozen different idlis, covering everything from South Indian classics to modern fusion creations. You can get a straightforward Masala Dosa or something more inventive like a Schezwan or Noodle Dosa. The signature Tatte Idli – a single, plate-sized version – is a staple, as is the Butter Podi Idli. Crisp Medu Vadas and Parippu Vadas are also on the menu, and the kitchen provides Jain-friendly versions of its sambar and chutney upon request.
The meal comes with a coconut chutney, a red tomato-onion chutney, and a sambar made in the spicy Tamil Nadu style – not the sweeter Udupi version common elsewhere in the city. Unlimited refills of all three are standard practice. To finish, there’s only one dessert: a highly-regarded Pineapple Sheera, a sweet semolina pudding. A classic South Indian filter coffee is the typical drink to round it all out. The place is especially popular for breakfast, and they also sell their own house-made spice powders (podi) and instant chutney mixes to take home.
@ayyappan.idli