Express Avenue is Chennai’s original premium mall, the one that set the benchmark when it opened in 2010 and still holds its own more than a decade later. Sitting on Mount Road (Anna Salai) in Royapettah, it spans over 1 million square feet across five floors, houses more than 150 stores, and is home to one of the city’s best multiplexes. Whether you are heading in for a weekend splurge, a weekday lunch, or a movie night, here is everything you need to know before you go.
Quick Facts
| Address | Express Avenue, Express Estate, Mount Road (Anna Salai), Royapettah, Chennai – 600 002 |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Sunday to Thursday) 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM (Friday & Saturday) Food Court & Multiplex: till show end |
| Multiplex | Escape Cinemas – 9 screens |
| Parking | Multi-level parking. 2-wheelers: ₹20 for 2 hrs. Cars: ₹40 for 2 hrs + ₹20 per additional hour |
| Nearest Metro | Government Estate Metro Station (Green Line) – ~600m walk |
| Nearest Suburban Rail | Park Town / Chennai Central – ~1.2 km |
| Phone | +91 44 4224 4224 |
| Website | expressavenue.in |
How to Get to Express Avenue
Express Avenue is well-connected by public transport, which makes it one of the more accessible malls in the city — especially if you are coming from North Chennai, T Nagar, or Mylapore.
By Chennai Metro
The closest station on the Green Line (Airport to Wimco Nagar corridor) is Government Estate, about a 600-metre walk from the mall’s main entrance. From Central Metro Station, this is a 2-minute ride.
By MTC Bus
Dozens of MTC routes stop at or near the Express Avenue bus stop on Mount Road. Key routes include:
- From T Nagar: Routes 23C, M23
- From Tambaram / South Chennai: Routes 19B, 19C, 19G
- From CMBT (Koyambedu): Routes 15G, 15K, 70D
- From Adyar / Thiruvanmiyur: Routes 23B, 5B
Ask the conductor for the ‘Express Avenue’ or ‘Royapettah’ stop on Anna Salai.
By Car or Auto
Express Avenue has a large multi-level car park with separate entry and exit on the Mount Road side. On weekends, the parking fills up by noon — arrive before 11:30 AM or after 4 PM to avoid circling. Cab drop-off is best done at the Mount Road entrance.
Nearby Landmarks
- Across from YMCA, Mount Road
- Adjacent to Express Estate (Indian Express building)
- 500 metres from Thousand Lights signal
Floor-by-Floor Guide
Express Avenue has five shopping floors plus a basement, broadly organised by category.
| Floor | What You’ll Find |
| Basement | Big Bazaar, electronics, accessories, ATMs, budget fashion, and beauty services |
| Ground Floor | Premium international brands — Marks & Spencer, Lifestyle, Zara, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Hidesign, Longines, Swarovski, Forest Essentials, and the main entrance food kiosks |
| First Floor | Men’s and women’s fashion — Louis Philippe, Allen Solly, Pepe Jeans, Fab India, Manyavar, Titan, Toni & Guy salon, and more |
| Second Floor | Sportswear, electronics, kids’ brands — Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Samsung, Mothercare, Health & Glow, and a large Odyssey bookstore |
| Third Floor (Food & Fun) | The main food court, Escape Cinemas multiplex, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Sangeetha, Dindigul Biryani, Nalas Aappakadai, Kobe Sizzlers, Baskin Robbins, and Fun City gaming zone |
Food & Dining at Express Avenue
The third floor is almost entirely devoted to food, and it is arguably the strongest food floor of any Chennai mall. The food court covers a wide range — from quick bites to sit-down meals — and the variety genuinely reflects Chennai’s tastes: there is strong representation of South Indian options alongside the usual fast-food chains.
Best Bets by Cuisine
- South Indian: Nalas Aappakadai (famous for their appam and stew), Sangeetha (reliable thalis and dosas), Dindigul Biryani
- North Indian / Mughlai: Kobe Sizzlers, Rajdhani Thali, Mughal Express
- Fast Food: KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Baskin Robbins
- Pan-Asian: Wang’s Kitchen, Ruan Thai
- Café / Desserts: Café Coffee Day (multiple outlets), Kwality Walls, Sandy’s Chocolate Factory
Tip: On weekday afternoons, most counters have shorter queues and some offer lunch deals. Avoid arriving at the food court between 1–2 PM on weekdays if you are short on time — the office crowd from the surrounding Mount Road belt fills it up.
Shopping Highlights
Express Avenue has the best concentration of international brands in central Chennai. A few standouts worth knowing about:
Fashion & Apparel
Zara and Marks & Spencer are anchor draws, particularly for women’s fashion. For traditional and fusion Indian wear, Fab India, Manyavar, and Biba are the go-to stops. Men looking for formal workwear will find a dense cluster on the first floor — Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Arrow are all within a short walk of each other.
Jewellery & Watches
The ground floor carries a strong watch and jewellery lineup: Swarovski, Longines, Rado, Titan, and Tanishq. Hidesign and Da Milano cover premium leather bags and accessories.
Electronics & Books
The second floor has Samsung, Casio, Acer, and HP outlets. Odyssey — one of the few remaining large-format bookstores in Chennai — is a pleasant surprise on the same floor, stocking a good range of English titles, stationery, and gifts.
Escape Cinemas – The Multiplex
Escape Cinemas at Express Avenue operates 9 screens and is one of the more comfortable multiplex experiences in central Chennai. Screens are well-maintained, and the concession area is better stocked than most. It runs Tamil, Hindi, English, and dubbed releases.
- Online booking: escapecinemas.com or BookMyShow
- Parking: validate your parking ticket at the cinema counter to get the first hour free on movie days
- Best seats: The ‘Gold’ tier on the rear centre fills fast for new Tamil releases — book at least a day in advance on weekends
Insider Tips for Visiting Express Avenue
- Best day to visit: Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon — crowds are lightest, and staff have more time to assist.
- Sales seasons: End-of-season sales (January and July) see significant markdowns at most apparel stores. The brands typically do not advertise heavily — worth checking in-store.
- ATMs: There are multiple ATMs in the basement and on the ground floor. The SBI and HDFC units are the most reliable.
- Prayer room: There is a prayer room on the ground floor near the exit toward Express Estate.
- Charging points: Limited seating areas on the food court floor have USB charging points near the food court perimeter.
- Wheelchair access: Lifts are available on both ends of the mall. The main entrance has ramp access. Ask at the information desk near the ground floor entrance for assistance.
Express Avenue vs Other Chennai Malls
How does Express Avenue compare to the rest of Chennai’s mall circuit?
| Express Avenue | Phoenix Market City | VR Chennai | |
| Location | Royapettah (Central) | Velachery (South) | Porur (West) |
| Best for | International brands, city-centre access | Widest variety, IMAX, families | Younger crowd, newer brands |
| Metro access | Yes (Green Line) | No direct access | No direct access |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Express Avenue open on public holidays?
Yes. Express Avenue remains open on all national and state public holidays, including Pongal, Diwali, and Christmas. These are typically among the busiest days, so expect larger crowds and fuller parking.
Where can I park at Express Avenue?
The multi-level parking structure is accessed from the Mount Road side. It handles 700+ cars. Overflow parking is sometimes available at the adjacent Express Estate compound. Parking is paid and charges start at ₹40 for the first two hours for cars.
Does Express Avenue have a supermarket?
Yes — Big Bazaar in the basement serves as the grocery and household anchor. It is a full-format hypermarket with a produce section, so you can combine a mall visit with weekly grocery shopping.
Is there a play area for children?
Fun City on the third floor (adjacent to the food court) is a dedicated gaming and entertainment zone for children and teens. It has arcade games, bowling, and activity zones. There is a small token fee per ride or game.
How do I reach Express Avenue from Chennai Central station?
Chennai Central is about 1.2 km away. You can take a short auto ride (₹50–70 by meter), or walk south on Poonamallee High Road and turn onto Mount Road — about 15 minutes on foot. Alternatively, take the metro from Central to Government Estate (1 stop on the Green Line) and walk 600 metres.
The Bottom Line
Express Avenue earns its place as a Chennai institution. It is not the largest mall in the city — Phoenix Market City claims that title — but for central Chennai residents and those arriving by public transport, it remains the most convenient premium shopping destination. The food floor alone is worth the trip, the multiplex is solid, and the density of international fashion and accessory brands on the ground floor is unmatched in this part of the city. If you are planning a visit, Tuesday through Thursday mornings are the sweet spot: good atmosphere, staff who are not stretched, and parking that is mercifully available.
