Express Avenue Mall Guide: Timings, Food Court and Cinema

The basics

Express Avenue sits on Whites Road in Royapettah near the Clock Tower. Wikipedia says it opened in 2010 with 900,000 square feet of retail space and around 210 stores, including eight anchor tenants. The mall's own website lists timings of 10 AM to 10 PM on weekdays and weekends alike, and gives 044 4995 4646 as its contact number.

Express Avenue Mall is about 5 to 10 minutes from Hotel Royal King. This guide focuses on what to do once you are there.

Wikipedia describes the total development as about 1.5 million square feet, with the retail area at 900,000 square feet. Whites Road, where the mall sits, runs close to the Royapettah Clock Tower, which is a useful landmark to give a driver. If an auto driver does not know the mall, use the clock tower or Whites Road as your reference.

Food court and cinema

The food court, called EA Garden, covers 50,000 square feet with 25 counters, serving Oriental, North Indian, South Indian, American and Italian options, according to Wikipedia. That makes it a safe choice when a group cannot agree on what to eat.

The cinema is Escape Cinemas, run by PVR, an eight-screen multiplex with about 1,600 seats. If you are planning a film, book seats online beforehand, because weekend evening shows fill quickly.

A practical plan for a family is to eat first and then shop, or watch a film and eat after. The food court is large, so you can find a seat even when the group wants different cuisines, and children can choose what they like. If you are vegetarian, check the counters before you pay, since the court mixes vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Shopping: what is there

The mall's website mentions brands including H&M, Calvin Klein, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Birkenstock and Guess across the ground and first floors, a LEGO store on the ground floor next to Hamleys, and a 2,000 square foot Nykaa Luxe store. It is a brand-led mall rather than a bargain market, so for sarees, jewellery or wholesale-style buying, T Nagar is the usual choice.

For that kind of shopping trip, plan a separate outing.

Prices in a brand-led mall are typically fixed, so bargaining does not apply. Seasonal sales happen at various times of the year, and shops announce them in store and online, so if you plan a shopping stay, check the current offers on the mall's website before you leave. Allow at least two to three hours if you want to look around properly, and wear comfortable shoes.

Timing your visit

Weekday late mornings are the calmest. Weekend evenings are busy because the mall also holds the cinema and the food court. If you plan a film and a meal, aim to arrive an hour before the show starts.

Chennai is hot and humid for much of the year, so a mall is also a good afternoon break. Many visitors do a morning outing, return to the hotel for a rest and then go to the mall in the late afternoon.

With children, the LEGO store and Hamleys on the ground floor are an easy stop, and the air conditioning makes it a gentle afternoon after a hot morning. With elders, there are places to sit, and the food court is a good rest break. If one person wants to shop while others want a rest, the hotel room is only a short ride away, so you can split up and meet later.

Getting there and back

Autos and app cabs are the simplest choice. Thousand Lights metro station, which Wikipedia says serves Royapettah, Greams Road and Gopalapuram, is on the Blue Line, but no walking distance from the mall is confirmed here, so for exact directions ask at the front desk.

If you have a car, you can leave it in the hotel's free parking and go by cab, which avoids the question of mall parking on a busy weekend. Late-night returns are easy because the front desk is open 24 hours.

If you plan a late evening, remember that the mall closes at 10 PM according to its website, and the last screening at the cinema may run later. Book a cab ahead or use an app, because cabs can be harder to find immediately after a popular show ends. The hotel's front desk is open 24 hours, so a late return is not a problem.

Wikipedia and the mall's own website are the best places to check what has changed, since stores open and close. Calling the mall's helpline on 044 4995 4646 is the quickest way to check a particular store or show time. If you are travelling for work, the hotel's free Wi-Fi and work desks give you a comfortable place to prepare, and the mall can be an end-of-day break.

A room for a shopping stay

A Double Deluxe Room at Rs 2,000 per night suits a couple. A family of four fits the Quadruple Room at Rs 3,600, with two double beds, a TV and a wardrobe. Every room is air conditioned with free Wi-Fi. Message or call Hotel Royal King on +91 73973 96612 with your dates and number of guests. Rates are per room, per night, so please reconfirm the current rate and taxes when you book.

If you need to buy something quickly, such as a charger, a gift or a change of clothes, the mall is convenient, because you can park the idea of long shopping and finish in an hour. For a family function, buying gifts here is easy, though the more traditional sarees and jewellery are better bought in T Nagar.