BAY 6 ECR Review: A Beachside Restaurant In Chennai With Goan Vibes

Disclaimer: The author visited the restaurant twice at her own expense. This is not a sponsored article. The images used in this article are the author’s personal photos and are not to be reused for any purposes whatsoever. Read about our editorial policies.

Bay 6 is one of those few beach restaurants in Chennai that is perfect for a brunch on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The beach lounge is located along the sandy shores of Panaiyur in Chennai. 

When we first visited Bay 6 in the winter of 2021, the upper deck was open and would only be used during dinner services. Things have changed now. Both the ground floor and the rooftop were quite crowded during our recent visit. Needless to say, you’ll require a reservation if you’re planning to dine at Bay 6. 

The Best Part About Bay 6 

There are a couple of things that were truly impressive. What captures your attention as soon as you enter Bay 6 is its stunningly minimalistic interiors and its breathtaking proximity to the sea. The juxtaposition of bright blue and yellow table tops supported by their clean white legs creates a captivating contrast. It mirrors the white crests of waves cascading on the yellow shore, only to retreat and meld into the expanse of the blue sky. 

We also loved the 3 seating options Bay 6 offers –– the lower deck, the upper deck and the glass-covered private dining rooms by the garden. While the upper deck is most popular among customers as it gives you an unobstructed, picturesque view of the sea, the private rooms are perfect if you’re planning a romantic dinner or wish to spend intimate family time. 

Besides the fabulous vibe, Bay 6 puts its heart and soul into delivering delectable dishes that don’t just entice your senses, but also look like works of art on the plate. Keep reading as a detailed exploration of their culinary creations awaits you later in the article.

The Ambience At Bay 6

Seated at one of their tables overlooking the sea, you hear the languorous splashing of waves carelessly overlapping the constant buzz of the customers. The atmosphere is vibrant and the crowd ranges from young couples, and girl gangs, to families with elderly members and children, all enjoying a relaxed meal by the beach. 

The bar on the ground floor is decorated with wooden boats on an azure backdrop and adorned with dark green foliage. The lounge blends in harmoniously with the scenery outside. It astutely takes advantage of its coastal setting. Its cabana-styled structure forgoes air-conditioning in favor of the gentle sea breeze, which effectively keeps the heat at bay.

In the evening, I learned that the lounge is decked with golden lanterns and has mild music playing in the background, creating a dreamlike ambiance that appeals to both couples and families. 

If I wasn’t visiting with my family, I would have eagerly waited a couple of hours to witness the charm of Bay 6 on a Sunday evening. The magical combination of slow music by the sea, soulful cuisine and a glass of wine, sounds like an unparalleled opportunity to unwind after a long week. 

Food & Drinks At Bay 6

Bay 6 has an extensive menu that allows you to explore a variety of cuisines such as Indian, Thai, Italian and Continental. As for alcoholic beverages, the lounge’s hand-crafted signature creations are an adventurous blend of fresh juices, spices and alcohol. The beverage menu also includes an alluring trio of classic Sangrias crafted with red, white and rose wines. 

Apart from timeless favorites like Bloody Mary, Long Island Iced Tea, Pina Colada and others, you can also give their specials and martinis a try. A notorious desi twist that spiked my curiosity was the ‘Sand and Pot’ – a cocktail that fused fermented buttermilk with curry leaf-infused vodka!

TWT Tip

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Bay 6’s Cocktail Desserts such as the ‘Monk Jamun’ or ‘Beneath’ are a must-try!

What We Tried At Bay 6:

Since my mother-in-law accompanied us this time, we unquestionably ordered 2 varieties of mocktails – Tropical Delight and a Cumin Cooler. The latter was absolutely refreshing, but the sweetness of the Tropical Delight felt slightly overpowering for my palate. If you are looking for more healthy options, the lounge also serves freshly prepared fruit juices and you can request yours to be prepared without ice or sugar. 

For starters, we ordered Honey Mustard Chicken and the Thai delight, ‘Pla Pao Fish’- a mouth-watering preparation where fresh fish filets are flavored with coconut milk, chili and spices and baked in a banana leaf wrapping. Each dish was executed with sheer perfection, leaving us immersed in a rhapsody of flavors.

For the main course, we chose Indian delicacies like Keema Naan (mutton), Wheat Parotta and Allepey Fish Curry. The naans were freshly prepared and delicately soft, the mutton filling was savory, but the dish that commanded the spotlight was the Allepey Fish Curry. This aromatic fish preparation had a tempting yellowish-brown color, and a slightly creamy consistency, achieved with a delicate blend of coconut milk, mango pulp and spices. Unlike the Tamilian Meen Kozhumbu (fish curry), which I feel has an overpowering tanginess due to the presence of tamarind, this Keralian preparation beautifully balanced the flavors. Though I tried this preparation for the first time, my husband who was stationed in Kerala for 2 years, vouched for its authentic taste. 

Being passionate sweet lovers, we eagerly delved into the dessert menu and ordered 3 of the most tempting items –– an American Brownie, a Tres Leches Cake, and a Raspberry Opera Cake. While all three were beautifully presented and had delectable flavors, we unitedly concluded that nothing could beat the Raspberry Opera Cake. This exquisite French pastry, built with layers of sponge cake, ganache and buttercream and decorated with freshly sliced strawberries, was absolutely divine.

Though we opted for non-vegetarian dishes, Bay 6’s vegetarian menu (including eggless desserts) is equally varied and gives both vegetarian and vegan food lovers a good scope for culinary exploration. 

Frequently Asked Questions On Chennai’s Beach Side Restaurant Bay 6

Q. How far is the beach side restaurant Bay 6 from the main city in Chennai?

A. One of the most significant advantages of Bay 6 is its easy accessibility from most parts of Chennai. While there are many beach restaurants in Chennai that are a part of the resorts near Mahabalipuram, they are all located after the Uthandi Toll Plaza, making them more than an hour’s drive from the main city. Bay 6 is just about a 30-40 minutes drive from places like Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, Sholinganallur or Velachery.

Q. How is the service at Chennai’s beach view restaurant Bay 6?

A. Visiting after 2 years, with the number of customers now doubled, their service was still surprisingly quick. Their staff were polite, well versed in English and Tamil, and deftly handled the crowd with a smile. We were promptly seated at a sea-facing table and the mocktails came in within 7-10 minutes of ordering. The starters, main course and desserts followed in smooth succession without any delays.

Q. Can we take kids to Chennai’s beach restaurant Bay 6?

A. Yes, Bay 6 has a small, well-decorated play zone situated just outside the seating zone on the ground floor. This makes it ideal for families with young children.

TWT Experience Summary At Bay 6

For those who love to dine by the sea, Bay 6, a three-year-old beach view restaurant in ECR Chennai, is sure to blow your mind. Great food and a vibrant ambience by the tranquil beach make the experience worth every penny. While I’ve visited the lounge twice over an expanse of 2 years, one thing I can vouch for is that the staff of Bay 6 put in a lot of effort to make your dining experience memorable. 

The lounge’s prompt service and friendliness even during peak hours are commendable. However, make sure to call and make a reservation in advance as the place experiences a constant influx of customers. 

If you are a resident or a tourist looking for places to visit near Chennai, you can check our list of 32 weekend getaways from Chennai.

Inclusivity checklist:

✅Wheelchair-friendly 

✅Vegetarian-friendly 

✅Outdoor seating

✅Family and kid-friendly

✅Valet parking

Price of a meal for 3: INR 4000 

Timings: 11am to 11pm (Weekdays), 11am to 3.30 pm and 5.30 pm-11 pm (Weekends)

Phone: +91-77700 66662

Address: Spicehood, No. 202 Seashore Town, 6th Avenue, SH 49, Panaiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600119

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/bCu4sdNBQBfNniXf8

 

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