I finally made an online reservation at Thattu for dinner after hearing about it for so long, and surprisingly we were able to get a table for the same night. The restaurant is located on Fletcher Avenue and when we walked in we were seated pretty fast. I had imagined the place to be a little bigger, but even though it was small it felt cozy, comfortable, and nicely put together. The decor immediately stood out because of all the South Indian inspired artwork and touches that made the space feel warm and authentic. It reminded me of the kind of homely charm you find in Kerala style eateries, and it set a really nice tone for the evening. We started the meal with a set of appetizers that included kappa bonda, chilli paneer puffs, masala deviled eggs and kallumakaya. The masala deviled eggs were the highlight among the starters with a great balance of flavor and spice. The chilli paneer puffs and kappa bonda were both good and enjoyable. The kallumakaya, which are mussels, had a very strong seafood taste. My wife liked it more than I did because I am not a huge fan of that deep ocean flavor, so for me it was not as appealing. For drinks we went with the kokum sharbat and the ginger cooler. Both were non alcoholic but extremely refreshing. The kokum sharbat in particular was spectacular with a bright, tangy taste that immediately stood out. It felt like the perfect drink to go with the meal. We originally wanted to order the Malabar Bone In Goat Biryani but unfortunately it was already sold out by the time we ordered. So I ended up getting the Malabar Chicken Biryani and my wife ordered the Chemmeen and Kappa. Presentation wise the Chemmeen and Kappa looked beautiful and vibrant, but the combination did not work well for her taste. On the other hand the chicken biryani turned out to be the best biryani I have had in a very long time. The flavors were deep and rich and every grain of rice had absorbed the spices perfectly. It tasted like something you would get in a traditional Kerala home. For dessert we ordered the Forbidden Payasam and the Naadan Falooda. The falooda was truly amazing, one of the best I have had. It paired surprisingly well with the payasam and together they made for a great ending to the meal. Finally I have to mention the service because the staff was incredibly warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They explained the dishes in detail and even though we are from South India ourselves there were ingredients and combinations they talked about that we had not heard of. Their passion for the food really showed in how they talked about it. Overall Thattu turned out to be a really good experience with great food, great service and a homely, authentic vibe. I definitely plan to go back again, hopefully next time to try their sadhya if they have it available.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Sarah
Love love love this place. Everything is incredible. Servers are so nice. We loved one of our entrees (the beef) so much we ordered another one to go... Also dont skip the banana bread like dessert with the coconut ice cream...its important!!
탄야이 (Tania Roul-Lee)
Thattu is easily one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. The food is vibrant, soulful, and incredibly fresh — you can taste the care in every dish. The Theeyal Salad deserves a special shout-out. It’s genuinely one of a kind: the deep, roasted coconut-tamarind flavors of theeyal paired with crisp, bright greens in a way that feels both inventive and comforting. I’ve never had a salad like this anywhere.
But choosing a favorite dish is impossible because the kappa bonda was just as outstanding — warm, delicate, perfectly seasoned, and the kind of thing you instantly crave again. It’s a very close tie between the bonda and the salad!
Another detail I loved: everything is made fresh in-house, down to the beet ketchup, which was so good it deserves its own fan club.
And to top it all off, the chef was so kind — she surprised us with her masala biscuits on the house !!! Such a thoughtful gesture that made the experience feel even more special.
Warm service, thoughtful food, and a menu full of surprises. Thattu is a gem — can’t wait to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
reshma rajasekharan
Bad customer service, as a keralite I can confirm the cuisine is not authentic to any regions within the state.
Chaitanya Sharma
It was actually pretty disappointing... One of the most traditional food in kerala is Beef Fry and Parota, which in their menu describe in a similar fashion. The beef fry tasted good and a little close to being authentic but the texture was way off. This was a little saucy/pastey/wet and had smaller pieces than what you would notice in an authentic one. The Parota was god awful. It did not have flaver and more than anything it was so dry!! Never had a parotta so bad. The Espresso Martini though, was one of the best ones I had, great taste!
Jibin
Overall a great representation of what's available in Kerala, with some twists. Really enjoyed the fried chicken and mussels, as well as the beverage options, especially the guava drink. Porotta needed some work (was hard and not fluffy like it should be).
Betsy
My parents are natives of Kerala—one enjoyed the kappa and shrimp, while the other thought the porotta and short rib were just okay. I had the porotta and beef and thought it was good, but not the traditional Kerala-style beef fry I'm used to. Some of my family members also had the biryani, which didn't taste like the traditional kind either. Overall, the food was decent but leaned more fusion than authentic Kerala cuisine. Nothing was overly spicy, which we appreciated. Portions felt small for the price, but the staff was friendly, the service was quick, and the décor and atmosphere of the restaurant were very nice.
Geet Bahl
We had a wonderful experience at Thattu! The food was absolutely relishing—seasoned with just the right level of spices so you could truly taste and enjoy each flavor. We tried their non-alcoholic drinks, and they were spot on, refreshing, flavorful, and not overloaded with sugar. And last but definitely not least, the bread pudding was the most delicious I’ve ever had. The environment was simple, elegant, and welcoming. Overall, a beautiful blend of authentic taste and a comfortable dining atmosphere. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
RT 740
Food is fresh and good quality but menu is rigid. This is a serious limitation. We would not have dined here if we knew this since there are several restaurants in Chicago serving a similar menu.
The breads (Appams & Porotta) will only be served with certain dishes and you cannot order them separately. This forced us to order an extra dish that we barely touched just so we could have 2 extra Porottas.
Management seems to want to curate / dictate what dishes should be paired with what breads. While that may work with people unfamiliar with Kerala culture (novelty), it won’t sit well with people familiar with Indian cuisine (authenticity).
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Jason Pham
Honest Review: Is the food good? Yes, it’s delicious. How big is the portion size? Enough for 1 person with a small appetite, not really family sharing friendly. Would I come here again? Ehhhh idk, there are better places out there for the price you pay for the food. For example, I went to a Korean gastropub the other day with like 25 people and paid like 400 for everything and the portions were huge and delicious. I paid 200 here for 4 people and it was good and the portions were decent. Food presentation is alright, you think the price you pay the food would be one of a kind but it seems pretty straight forward. Like the TatorTots you order, it has a ring and a cool name, you figured “oh they probably did something cool with the tatortots, let’s try it” come to find out it’s regular tatortots with just a different seasoning and the price is the same as a subway sandwich.
Good Things about it: The Old Fashion was pretty interesting, love the drink options there. The food there like I said is delicious but questionable in a majority of things.
Overall: If you want to try this restaurant, I recommend this place, the chef is really talented and creative but it’s pricey. If you had money to spend then yes give it a try, if you are really hungry and are expecting a large meal, make sure you order twice of every dish. Their payment system is very friendly when it comes to splitting the bill.
The only reason for two stars is their server and front desks are friendly. The food is salttttty and barely eatable. Every dish is salty. Would not come back even if they pay me to.
Food: 1
Service: 5
Tasha
Dined at Thattu for my birthday on a Saturday. I was able to make a reservation the day before. Thattu is located on a quiet residential block with free, no permit, parking. Parking was limited but I was able to snag a spot. You shouldn't have a problem finding parking, even if it's on an adjacent block. Upon walking in, check-in is on the right and a couch and coat rack is on the left. Our table wasn't quite ready, so my party of three sat on the couch to wait. The gentleman who greeted us was super friendly. The restaurant is very casual, wood dining chairs/tables with no tablecloth. Feels homey with its exposed pipes, wall murals and lighting. We were seated within 10 minutes and shortly thereafter greeted by our "server" who was also very nice. There was a wooden QR code sign on the table that you order from, and we were brought physical menu's as well. With this ordering process, you can add more to your tab without having to get the attention of the server. She explained the menu and answered our questions. She suggested three starters plus individual entrées for a party of three. We ordered: Calicut Beach- White rum drink (very tasty) Sangria- Person in my party ordered and liked. Not for me, didn't like the malt beer that was added. Kerala Fried Chicken Bites (Delicious and spiced right) Mushroom Mezhukkupuratti (Delicious and well seasoned) Beef Fry & Porottas- Person in my party ordered and said it was a little too spicy for her. I tasted and concur. She used the white sauce from the chicken bites to neutralize the spice. Short Rib & Porottas (Delicious, short rib was oh so tender) Coriander Chicken Curry- Person in my party ordered and enjoyed. The taste was ok to me. I don't eat curry a lot so may take some getting used to. Bread Pudding a la mode (Tasty and not to sweet with Coconut ice cream) The majority of the food options are Gluten Free and Vegetarian so everyone in your party should find something to enjoy.
Kirti
The restaurant has a nice, open setup with plenty of seating and a convenient phone-based ordering system — a good first impression. As a vegetarian (who don't eat meat but just eggs), the options were limited but expected. We started with the Kappa Bonda, which came as small bite-sized fritters — the portion was tiny but the taste was good. The Kokum Sarbath and Guava Vava drinks, unfortunately, were a big miss. The Kokum one tasted mostly like soda with added color (I actually saw it being mixed), and the guava drink turned out bitter. To balance that, we ordered Kaapi, which wasn't the most authentic filter coffee but decent enough to end on a better note. The main course was the highlight — the Appam and Vegetable Ishtu were excellent together, perfectly cooked and flavorful. We also had Jeera Rice, which paired well with the curry. The meal ended on a sweet note with the Payasam, which was genuinely good but a little bit too sweet for me. If you visit, I'd recommend skipping the drinks and going straight for the Appam + Ishtu combo and finishing with Payasam — that's where the restaurant really shines and would not be heavy on your pockets too.
Rick
Delicious Indian food, much more creative and less greasy than typical Indian restaurants. The South Indian dishes in particular were very tasty and very unique. Also, they did a great job with my wife's food allergies. Service was friendly, helpful, responsive, and unobtrusive.
Sandeep
Very authentic taste! Loved every dish we ordered. Kadala Curry with Appam was pure bliss! ♥️
I finally made an online reservation at Thattu for dinner after hearing about it for so long, and surprisingly we were able to get a table for the same night. The restaurant is located on Fletcher Avenue and when we walked in we were seated pretty fast. I had imagined the place to be a little bigger, but even though it was small it felt cozy, comfortable, and nicely put together. The decor immediately stood out because of all the South Indian inspired artwork and touches that made the space feel warm and authentic. It reminded me of the kind of homely charm you find in Kerala style eateries, and it set a really nice tone for the evening. We started the meal with a set of appetizers that included kappa bonda, chilli paneer puffs, masala deviled eggs and kallumakaya. The masala deviled eggs were the highlight among the starters with a great balance of flavor and spice. The chilli paneer puffs and kappa bonda were both good and enjoyable. The kallumakaya, which are mussels, had a very strong seafood taste. My wife liked it more than I did because I am not a huge fan of that deep ocean flavor, so for me it was not as appealing. For drinks we went with the kokum sharbat and the ginger cooler. Both were non alcoholic but extremely refreshing. The kokum sharbat in particular was spectacular with a bright, tangy taste that immediately stood out. It felt like the perfect drink to go with the meal. We originally wanted to order the Malabar Bone In Goat Biryani but unfortunately it was already sold out by the time we ordered. So I ended up getting the Malabar Chicken Biryani and my wife ordered the Chemmeen and Kappa. Presentation wise the Chemmeen and Kappa looked beautiful and vibrant, but the combination did not work well for her taste. On the other hand the chicken biryani turned out to be the best biryani I have had in a very long time. The flavors were deep and rich and every grain of rice had absorbed the spices perfectly. It tasted like something you would get in a traditional Kerala home. For dessert we ordered the Forbidden Payasam and the Naadan Falooda. The falooda was truly amazing, one of the best I have had. It paired surprisingly well with the payasam and together they made for a great ending to the meal. Finally I have to mention the service because the staff was incredibly warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They explained the dishes in detail and even though we are from South India ourselves there were ingredients and combinations they talked about that we had not heard of. Their passion for the food really showed in how they talked about it. Overall Thattu turned out to be a really good experience with great food, great service and a homely, authentic vibe. I definitely plan to go back again, hopefully next time to try their sadhya if they have it available.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Love love love this place. Everything is incredible. Servers are so nice. We loved one of our entrees (the beef) so much we ordered another one to go... Also dont skip the banana bread like dessert with the coconut ice cream...its important!!
Thattu is easily one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. The food is vibrant, soulful, and incredibly fresh — you can taste the care in every dish. The Theeyal Salad deserves a special shout-out. It’s genuinely one of a kind: the deep, roasted coconut-tamarind flavors of theeyal paired with crisp, bright greens in a way that feels both inventive and comforting. I’ve never had a salad like this anywhere.
But choosing a favorite dish is impossible because the kappa bonda was just as outstanding — warm, delicate, perfectly seasoned, and the kind of thing you instantly crave again. It’s a very close tie between the bonda and the salad!
Another detail I loved: everything is made fresh in-house, down to the beet ketchup, which was so good it deserves its own fan club.
And to top it all off, the chef was so kind — she surprised us with her masala biscuits on the house !!! Such a thoughtful gesture that made the experience feel even more special.
Warm service, thoughtful food, and a menu full of surprises. Thattu is a gem — can’t wait to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bad customer service, as a keralite I can confirm the cuisine is not authentic to any regions within the state.
It was actually pretty disappointing... One of the most traditional food in kerala is Beef Fry and Parota, which in their menu describe in a similar fashion. The beef fry tasted good and a little close to being authentic but the texture was way off. This was a little saucy/pastey/wet and had smaller pieces than what you would notice in an authentic one. The Parota was god awful. It did not have flaver and more than anything it was so dry!! Never had a parotta so bad. The Espresso Martini though, was one of the best ones I had, great taste!
Overall a great representation of what's available in Kerala, with some twists. Really enjoyed the fried chicken and mussels, as well as the beverage options, especially the guava drink. Porotta needed some work (was hard and not fluffy like it should be).
My parents are natives of Kerala—one enjoyed the kappa and shrimp, while the other thought the porotta and short rib were just okay. I had the porotta and beef and thought it was good, but not the traditional Kerala-style beef fry I'm used to. Some of my family members also had the biryani, which didn't taste like the traditional kind either. Overall, the food was decent but leaned more fusion than authentic Kerala cuisine. Nothing was overly spicy, which we appreciated. Portions felt small for the price, but the staff was friendly, the service was quick, and the décor and atmosphere of the restaurant were very nice.
We had a wonderful experience at Thattu! The food was absolutely relishing—seasoned with just the right level of spices so you could truly taste and enjoy each flavor. We tried their non-alcoholic drinks, and they were spot on, refreshing, flavorful, and not overloaded with sugar. And last but definitely not least, the bread pudding was the most delicious I’ve ever had. The environment was simple, elegant, and welcoming. Overall, a beautiful blend of authentic taste and a comfortable dining atmosphere. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is fresh and good quality but menu is rigid. This is a serious limitation. We would not have dined here if we knew this since there are several restaurants in Chicago serving a similar menu.
The breads (Appams & Porotta) will only be served with certain dishes and you cannot order them separately. This forced us to order an extra dish that we barely touched just so we could have 2 extra Porottas.
Management seems to want to curate / dictate what dishes should be paired with what breads. While that may work with people unfamiliar with Kerala culture (novelty), it won’t sit well with people familiar with Indian cuisine (authenticity).
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Honest Review: Is the food good? Yes, it’s delicious. How big is the portion size? Enough for 1 person with a small appetite, not really family sharing friendly. Would I come here again? Ehhhh idk, there are better places out there for the price you pay for the food. For example, I went to a Korean gastropub the other day with like 25 people and paid like 400 for everything and the portions were huge and delicious. I paid 200 here for 4 people and it was good and the portions were decent. Food presentation is alright, you think the price you pay the food would be one of a kind but it seems pretty straight forward. Like the TatorTots you order, it has a ring and a cool name, you figured “oh they probably did something cool with the tatortots, let’s try it” come to find out it’s regular tatortots with just a different seasoning and the price is the same as a subway sandwich.
Good Things about it:
The Old Fashion was pretty interesting, love the drink options there.
The food there like I said is delicious but questionable in a majority of things.
Overall:
If you want to try this restaurant, I recommend this place, the chef is really talented and creative but it’s pricey. If you had money to spend then yes give it a try, if you are really hungry and are expecting a large meal, make sure you order twice of every dish. Their payment system is very friendly when it comes to splitting the bill.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
The only reason for two stars is their server and front desks are friendly. The food is salttttty and barely eatable. Every dish is salty. Would not come back even if they pay me to.
Food: 1
Service: 5
Dined at Thattu for my birthday on a Saturday. I was able to make a reservation the day before. Thattu is located on a quiet residential block with free, no permit, parking. Parking was limited but I was able to snag a spot. You shouldn't have a problem finding parking, even if it's on an adjacent block. Upon walking in, check-in is on the right and a couch and coat rack is on the left. Our table wasn't quite ready, so my party of three sat on the couch to wait. The gentleman who greeted us was super friendly. The restaurant is very casual, wood dining chairs/tables with no tablecloth. Feels homey with its exposed pipes, wall murals and lighting. We were seated within 10 minutes and shortly thereafter greeted by our "server" who was also very nice. There was a wooden QR code sign on the table that you order from, and we were brought physical menu's as well. With this ordering process, you can add more to your tab without having to get the attention of the server. She explained the menu and answered our questions. She suggested three starters plus individual entrées for a party of three. We ordered: Calicut Beach- White rum drink (very tasty) Sangria- Person in my party ordered and liked. Not for me, didn't like the malt beer that was added. Kerala Fried Chicken Bites (Delicious and spiced right) Mushroom Mezhukkupuratti (Delicious and well seasoned) Beef Fry & Porottas- Person in my party ordered and said it was a little too spicy for her. I tasted and concur. She used the white sauce from the chicken bites to neutralize the spice. Short Rib & Porottas (Delicious, short rib was oh so tender) Coriander Chicken Curry- Person in my party ordered and enjoyed. The taste was ok to me. I don't eat curry a lot so may take some getting used to. Bread Pudding a la mode (Tasty and not to sweet with Coconut ice cream) The majority of the food options are Gluten Free and Vegetarian so everyone in your party should find something to enjoy.
The restaurant has a nice, open setup with plenty of seating and a convenient phone-based ordering system — a good first impression. As a vegetarian (who don't eat meat but just eggs), the options were limited but expected. We started with the Kappa Bonda, which came as small bite-sized fritters — the portion was tiny but the taste was good. The Kokum Sarbath and Guava Vava drinks, unfortunately, were a big miss. The Kokum one tasted mostly like soda with added color (I actually saw it being mixed), and the guava drink turned out bitter. To balance that, we ordered Kaapi, which wasn't the most authentic filter coffee but decent enough to end on a better note. The main course was the highlight — the Appam and Vegetable Ishtu were excellent together, perfectly cooked and flavorful. We also had Jeera Rice, which paired well with the curry. The meal ended on a sweet note with the Payasam, which was genuinely good but a little bit too sweet for me. If you visit, I'd recommend skipping the drinks and going straight for the Appam + Ishtu combo and finishing with Payasam — that's where the restaurant really shines and would not be heavy on your pockets too.
Delicious Indian food, much more creative and less greasy than typical Indian restaurants. The South Indian dishes in particular were very tasty and very unique. Also, they did a great job with my wife's food allergies. Service was friendly, helpful, responsive, and unobtrusive.
Very authentic taste! Loved every dish we ordered. Kadala Curry with Appam was pure bliss! ♥️
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