Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors including central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia, has been associated with various adverse health outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between MetS and cognitive decline, though findings remain inconsistent. Aim: To assess the association between MetS and cognitive function among adults attending a tertiary care center. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from June to August 2023 at the noncommunicable disease (NCD) clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu. A total of 200 participants aged above 45 years were recruited using consecutive sampling. MetS was diagnosed using the revised NCEP ATP III criteria. Cognitive function was assessed using the Tamil-translated Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE), with thresholds adjusted for education. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26.0, and comparisons were made using independent t-tests. Results: The mean age of participants was 55.21 years, with a slight male predominance (54.5 %). MetS was present in 78% of participants. The mean MMSE score was 22.55 ± 3.90 in those with MetS and 23.39 ± 4.18 in those without MetS, with no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found across MMSE subcomponents either. Conclusion: This study did not find a statistically significant association between MetS and cognitive function using MMSE. However, given the complexity of this relationship, further research using sensitive cognitive assessments and longitudinal designs is recommended.