Bengaluru: After serving generations of food lovers in Bengaluru for over a century, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) is preparing to take its iconic South Indian flavours to Australia. The legendary restaurant will open its first outlet in Sydney this September, marking another milestone in its international expansion.
Known for its crisp dosas, authentic filter coffee and the invention of the rava idli during the Second World War amid rice shortages, MTR has become one of Bengaluru’s most celebrated culinary institutions.
Sydney chosen after years of planning
Speaking about the expansion, Hemamalini Maiya, custodian of the family brand and Managing Partner of MTR Restaurants, said Australia had long been on the restaurant’s expansion roadmap.
“We had an interest in Australia for some time now. But finding chefs, training them and getting the visas take time. The location also changed a few times. Initially, we wanted to open in Melbourne, but that fell through because of logistics,” she said.
She added that recruiting the right chefs and finding suitable business partners had been among the biggest challenges in establishing an international outlet.
Launch expected in September
According to Hemamalini, preparations are now complete and the Sydney restaurant is expected to open by the end of September.
“Sydney is supposed to be one of the best markets for Indian food,” she said, expressing confidence about the new venture.
The Australian outlet will bring MTR’s traditional recipes and signature dishes to a growing community of Indian food enthusiasts and the wider multicultural population.
Carrying Bengaluru’s culinary legacy abroad
Founded more than 100 years ago near Lalbagh, MTR has earned a loyal customer base for preserving authentic South Indian cuisine while maintaining consistent quality across generations.
The expansion to Sydney further strengthens the brand’s international presence and introduces one of Bengaluru’s most cherished culinary traditions to Australia.
For countless Bengaluru residents, the new restaurant represents not just business growth but the global recognition of a home-grown institution that has become synonymous with the city’s food culture.