About Us — Royal Spice Restaurant

Since 1998

A Family Legacy Born in Chettinad

Royal Spice was founded in 1998 by Murugan Pillai, a passionate home cook from Karaikudi whose dream was to bring the bold, aromatic flavours of Chettinad cuisine to Chennai's fine-dining scene. What began as a modest 30-seat restaurant has grown into one of Tamil Nadu's most celebrated culinary destinations.

Today, his son Vikram Pillai leads the restaurant alongside Executive Chef Rajan Nair, honouring every recipe while evolving the dining experience for a new generation of food lovers. The original spice blends — ground by hand using stone mortars — remain unchanged.

We are more than a restaurant. We are a living archive of South Indian culinary heritage, shared one plate at a time.

1998

Year Founded

3

Generations

12

Awards Won

— Vikram Pillai, Owner

Reserve Your Table

Recognition

Honoured by the Industry

Our commitment to authentic flavour and impeccable hospitality has been recognised across India's most prestigious culinary platforms.

🏆

Times Food Award

Best South Indian Restaurant — Chennai 2023

⭐

Zomato Gold

Consistently rated 4.9/5 since 2018

🌿

Green Leaf Certified

Sustainable dining practices — FSSAI 2022

📰

Condé Nast Traveller

Top 50 Restaurants in India — 2021 & 2022

The Culinary Team

Meet the Masters Behind Every Dish

Our chefs aren't just cooks — they are storytellers, carrying generations of culinary wisdom into every kitchen creation.

Chef Rajan Nair

Executive Head Chef · 30 Years Experience

Trained at the Taj Hotel culinary school and mentored in Chettinad by spice masters, Chef Rajan is the guardian of our signature flavour profile. His mastery of dum cooking is unrivalled in Tamil Nadu.

Chef Ananya Suresh

Pastry & Dessert Chef · 14 Years Experience

A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Singapore, Ananya crafts our dessert menu — blending classic French technique with South Indian ingredients like jaggery, cardamom, and coconut milk.

Chef Karthik Murugan

Tandoor & Grill Specialist · 18 Years Experience

Born in Madurai, Karthik's expertise in clay oven cooking and live fire grilling brings smoky, charred perfection to every kebab, tikka, and naan that leaves the kitchen.

Our Journey

25 Years of Culinary History

98

1998 — The Beginning

Royal Spice Opens Its Doors

Murugan Pillai opens a modest 30-seat Chettinad restaurant on Anna Salai. Within three months, tables are booked weeks in advance.

03

2003 — First Expansion

The Dining Hall & Private Rooms

We expand to 120 seats and open two private banquet rooms. Our catering division is born, serving corporate events and weddings.

10

2010 — Second Generation

Vikram Takes the Helm

Murugan's son Vikram returns from his hospitality studies in Switzerland and begins modernising the dining experience while preserving the original recipes.

17

2017 — National Recognition

Times Food Award & National Press

Royal Spice wins its first Times Food Award and is featured in Condé Nast Traveller India's Top 50 Restaurants list for the first time.

24

2024 — Silver Jubilee

25 Years & Still Going Strong

We celebrate 25 years with a limited-edition heirloom menu, a cookbook, and the launch of our cooking masterclass programme for food enthusiasts.

The Royal Spice Story