Chota Banaras, Sector 17
26 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/Chandigarh·29 comments quoted below
The comments quoted below are a sample of the full tally across 24 threads.
What people say, in short
Chota Banaras in Sector 17 is strongly recommended by many people, especially for its South Indian food, with diners singling out dosas, podi idli, samosa chana, pav bhaji and tawa kulcha, plus good tea. Several commenters call the food light and healthy, and one describes it as guilt-free street food, though another dismisses that as a gimmick. A few find it pricey, and one diner says the taste has downgraded recently. Chhota Banaras has more than one outlet in Chandigarh, including one in Sector 8; this page covers the Sector 17 one.
Address
Chhota Banaras, 17/18/19, near Tdi Mall, Sector 17A, 17D, Sector 17, Chandigarh, 160017, India
At a glance
- Price
- Mid-range
- Signature dishes
- Dosa, Podi idli, Pav bhaji
- Best for
- Vegetarian, Visitors
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
Recommends their ice creams as an alternative to Peggy's.
Recommends it as a place to try South Indian food.
Recommends it; nobody comes close.
Recommends pav bhaji, dosa and uttapam.
Good but a bit expensive, though worth it.
A quick-service spot worth visiting for dosas and healthier versions of chola bhatura and pav bhaji.
Lists it as one of the places with amazing food.
Not good anymore; food taste has downgraded.
Serves the best tea in their opinion plus good channa samosa and south Indian food.
Not a South Indian restaurant, but their South Indian food is good.
Agrees with the recommendation.
Says it is not cheap.
Visited once and felt it was a bit too overpriced.
Loved the seating arrangement there.
Praises their South Indian food, especially dosa, and the ras malai.
Recommends it.
Loves it; slightly expensive but great quality and good music playlist.
Praises the food as phenomenal, made in pure ghee, recommends podi idli.
Would rather go there than Back to Source.
Lists Chota Banaras among good cafes.
Recommends their samosa chana.
Recommends it.
Suggests it for non-maida foods.
Considers it one of their go-to places in Chandigarh.
Says the guilt-free claim is just a gimmick.
Suggests it as a lunch option.
Says their tawa kulcha is really good.
Loves the food, finds it light and healthy, mostly dosas; pricier than Indian Coffee House but worth trying.
Suggests it as a place to eat.
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Chota Banaras, Sector 17, as the crow flies.
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Freshness
Last verified 18/10/2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.