One of India’s most legendary South Indian restaurants is officially heading to Sydney. Bengaluru’s iconic Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR), a 102-year-old institution renowned for its dosas, filter coffee and the invention of the rava idli, is preparing to open its first Sydney outpost through a franchise.
The announcement came from Australia’s Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill, after he visited the restaurant during a recent trip to Bengaluru. Hill shared photos from his visit to MTR on Instagram, where he sampled the restaurant’s signature South Indian fare, including dosa, vada and filter coffee.
Alongside the images, he revealed the exciting news for Sydney diners. “MTR is coming to Australia! Bengaluru’s iconic heritage restaurant, over 100 years old, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms is franchising in Sydney. Literally the best dosa ever.”
A Century-Old Bengaluru Institution
The announcement has already sparked excitement among Australians and the Indian community, many of whom have long hoped to see the legendary Bengaluru eatery arrive in the Harbour City.
MTR traces its roots back to 1924, when brothers Ganappaiah Maiya and Parameshwara Maiya opened a modest eatery called Brahmins’ Coffee Club on Lalbagh Fort Road in Bengaluru. Following Parameshwara Maiya’s death in 1933, their brother Yagnanarayana Maiya joined the business and transformed it into Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, now widely known as MTR.
The restaurant moved into its distinctive Art Deco premises on Lalbagh Road in 1959, where it also introduced an open kitchen concept that allowed customers to watch their meals being prepared, which was an unusual feature at the time.
The Birthplace Of The Rava Idli
MTR is widely credited with creating one of South India’s most beloved breakfast dishes: the rava idli. During World War II, rice shortages made it difficult to prepare traditional idlis.
Instead of rice, Yagnanarayana Maiya experimented with semolina (rava) and sour curd, steaming the mixture to create a new version of the classic dish. The innovation gave rise to the now-famous rava idli, which remains one of MTR’s signature dishes.
Sydney Joins MTR’s Growing Global Expansion
Still owned and operated by the Maiya family, MTR has expanded well beyond its original Bengaluru home under the third generation of leadership, including Hemamalini Maiya, Vikram Maiya and Arvind Maiya.
The restaurant already operates across several Indian cities and has established international locations in Singapore, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Seattle, Toronto, Bristol and other destinations. Sydney will soon join that growing list, bringing its iconic South Indian breakfasts to Australia.
For Sydney’s large Indian community (and anyone with a love for crisp dosas, fluffy idlis and strong filter coffee) the arrival of MTR promises an authentic taste of Bengaluru’s culinary heritage.
We’ll take one masala dosa, extra chutney, thanks.
More details on exact location to come.
