On 2nd January 2026, on the
recommendation of my son Srikanth, we visited Meenavan Unavagam, a popular
seafood eatery in Foreshore Estate, Chennai, for lunch. This bustling stretch
lies just south of Marina Beach, overlooking the sea, the perfect location for
a seafood lover’s paradise.
There are scores of seafood joints
lined up along this coastal road, but Meenavan Unavagam clearly stands out. The
crowd outside spoke for its fame, and the walls were adorned with posters of
Prabhu, the owner, alongside several film stars and politicians who had dined
there.
Though an air-conditioned dining hall
occupies the ground floor, our cab driver suggested we try the rooftop sea-view
hall, and we’re glad we did. The sea breeze, the sound of waves, and the
casual, lively ambience added a special charm to the meal.
Prabhu himself greeted us warmly with
New Year wishes, quickly identifying us as visitors from outside Chennai. He
personally introduced the menu, displaying an impressive array of fried fish
varieties and recommending a large fish fry, about 13 inches long, served with
unlimited rice, fish gravy, dry fish gravy, Sambar, and Rasam.
The fried fish, which he said was Sankara
(Red Snapper) or Avoli (Pomfret), I do not remember, was perfectly marinated
and deep-fried to a crispy dark crust while remaining soft and succulent
inside. It was so large that it easily served the two of us, though we loved it,
we had difficulty finishing it. Alongside, we tried the Seer Fish Puttu, which
turned out to be equally delightful and flavourful.
While the display of crabs, prawns,
and other fish preparations was incredibly tempting, our tummies were already
full. Every dish was fresh, hot, and bursting with the unmistakable taste of
the sea.
I would highly recommend Meenavan
Unavagam to anyone visiting Chennai who loves authentic coastal flavours. The
food, the warmth of the host, and the sea-view setting together make it a truly
memorable dining experience.
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