Amma's South Indian Cuisine

1518 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
+1 808-762-6627
$$$ South Indian restaurant
(2221 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Welcome to Amma's South Indian Cuisine, a delightful culinary gem nestled in the heart of Philadelphia. Located at 1518 Chestnut St, this restaurant offers an authentic taste of South Indian cuisine, guaranteed to whisk your taste buds away on a flavorful journey.

As you step inside, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for both family dinners and casual get-togethers with friends. The decor beautifully reflects the rich cultural heritage of South India, creating an ambiance that enhances your dining experience. It's not just about the food here; the attentive and friendly staff, as mentioned by guests, truly elevate the entire experience, ensuring you feel welcome and cared for.

At Amma's, the menu showcases a vibrant selection of dishes that celebrate traditional South Indian flavors. Begin your meal with a serving of Masala Dosa, a crispy rice crepe filled with spiced potatoes and paired with delectable chutneys that, while some found bland, have their own unique charm. Instead, you might want to delve into the Uttapam that might expand your palate, but be advised to skip the Podu topping per customer recommendations that left it less appealing.

For the main attraction, indulge in their AMMA'S DUM BIRYANI. Whether you prefer the robust flavors of the Chennai Chicken Biryani or leaning towards the subtle spices in the Veg Biryani, each plate is a tapestry of aromatic spices and tender meats, slow-cooked to perfection. Seafood lovers will be delighted by the Shrimp Biryani, bursting with freshness and flavor.

Don’t forget to save room for dessert! The Sizzling Brownie drizzled with homemade vanilla ice cream is a must-try for those looking to end their meal on a sweet note, while the classic Gulab Jamun with Ice Cream offers a perfectly balanced treat that pays homage to traditional Indian sweets.

Many guests have praised the non-veg thali, where every dish vibrantly reflects the essence of South Indian cooking. From the moments of delighted smiles shared over flavorful meals, to recommendations like the Filter Coffee captured by guests, Amma’s brings not just flavor but an experience filled with warmth and authenticity.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of South Indian cuisine or a curious newcomer, Amma's South Indian Cuisine is definitely worth a visit. Allow yourself to be immersed in the rich, aromatic dishes that promise to leave you with lingering flavors and a satisfied heart.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Has all you can eat
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves halal food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid street parking
Difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 9:45 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 9:45 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 9:45 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 9:45 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:15 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 10:15 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 9:45 PM

2221 Reviews
Prateek Aggarwal

01 Sep 2025

Decent place in terms of ambience but that doesn't matter if the food is great in a restaurant. Here, I liked the staff (polite and humble) and the food was also fresh. I did not like the Chutneys (tooooo bland) and somehow Gobhi Manchurian too lacked salt (but were cooked well). Still giving 4 stars because Masala Dosa was very very tasty. They added Podu to Utappam (please avoid that, screwed it). Definitely recommend to someone looking for good South Indian food.

Varsha H

13 Jul 2025

From the moment we walked in, the experience was flawless. Went here on. Holiday July 4th.The ambiance was warm and inviting.The staff greeted us with genuine smiles and attentive service that made us feel like honored guests. We ordered non veg thali every dish in it was bursting with flavor and freshness. You can taste the love and tradition in every bite.I ordered pina colada which tasted much like diluted pineapple juice and was not matching the menu description. Our server was courteous, knowledgeable, and quick to offer and they checked in just enough to make us feel cared for.Highly recommended for anyone seeking authentic flavors with exceptional service! Update: for the next 2 days we ordered food from here for lunch or dinner and must say every new dish we tried was excellent. Highly recommend this place especially if you have kids and want something as idly this is the place.

Jamie Boraks

22 Jun 2025

I got the meat version of the South Indian Meal and it was amazing! So good to try different things, even if you're by yourself. Nothing was too spicy or too mild, but there were a mix of spice levels and different kinds of flavors that I enjoyed. It came with a little rice pudding too which was perfect.

Maitrayiee

21 Jun 2025

Great location for an Indian restaurant and tasty food too. Mysore masala dosa was crispy and the chutneys accompanying it were flavourful. Sambar could be better. Filter coffee is a must order. Service was excellent and the staff were very helpful with my baby’s stroller. Special mention to Maitri for being such a good hostess.

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