Eating Out in Bangalore
Bangalore is a paradise for those who love good food. The city offers a wide choice of cuisines, from the traditional to the exotic. You can try the simple but excellent fare offered at the several "idli" shops, and the numerous bakeries. For a hearty meal, the city is home to several restaurants serving anything from continental to Chinese cuisine. The restaurants mentioned below are a guide only as there are numerous excellent eateries throughout the city. For those that have never visited before though, the following may help:
Restaurant/Bar Hours Bars close at 11 p.m. (last orders by 10.30 p.m.). Some restaurants stay open till midnight. Eating out after pub closing time is best in the 24 hour coffee shops or at the bigger hotels.
Enjoy madi ('Do enjoy' in Kannada)!
Idlis
Is there a better way to start or end the day than with steaming hot idlis served with steaming hot sambar and chutney? I have trouble figuring out whether I eat idlis for the sambar or gulp sambar for the idlis.
They are available anywhere in Bangalore in any fast food restaurant, but the idlis served in two places really stand out -- Veena Stores on Margosa Road, Malleswaram (though you could forgo the sambar here); and in a narrow lane in VV Puram, located in between Lalbargh West Gate and Minerva circle and adjacent to Sajan Rao Circle, where it is served in carts.
If you are a food connoisseur, you could try the Kanchipuram Idli in Kadambam (Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road), the Rice Kadabu at Woody's (on Commercial Street), or the Mini Sambar Idly, Rasam Idly and Green Idly in Sri Krishna Bhavan (Malleswaram I Cross).
Believe it or not, we tried to register a domain called www.idly.com to compile a list of best haunts for idlis but, to our utter disappointment, found it taken.
Vadas
I guess size does matter and nothing can beat Bangalore when it comes to sheer size of the vadas.
I presume vadas will remain a monopoly of Bangalore for quite some time to come.
I especially recommend the Maddur and Masala vada in Woody's.
Dosas
When it comes to dosas, I have to give it to the lesser known mortals or the 'unsung warriors'.
I have not seen anything like the Benne (ghee) Dosa and the Benne Masala Dosa served in a restaurant in Malleswaram, 7th Cross, off Margosa road (I have to blame my aging memory for not remembering the restaurant's name).
[This happens many a times, blame it on the food, your memory is probably doing just fine. Its called Shree Sagar or more popularly C.T.R(Central Tiffin Room - No relation to M.T.R)].
If you are looking at variety, you got to give it to the Dosa Corner in Jayanagar, Fourth Block. Remain forewarned, however; you are in danger of losing yourself in the mad rush there.
If you are looking for the typical Madras style dosa and, particularly, the onion dosa; you have to try Brindavan at MG Road and Krishna Cafe in Koramangla.
I think the Jowar Dosa served in Sri Krishna Bhavan and the Andhra Pesarattu served in Woody's (I think it's the Friday special) deserves a mention under the non-conventional dosa category.
Specials
~ Kerala Sevai, Vegetable Kharabath, Rava Pongal, Mangalore Pathrade (Sri Krishna Bhavan)
~ Malabar Adai (Woody's Thursday evening special) and Mango Rice (Woody's Sunday morning special)
~ Curd rice (Woody's)
~ Menshinkhai (chilli) Bajjis (Malleswaram, 8th Cross)
~ Mangalore Baji (Janata Cafe, Malleswaram)
~ Puliyathorai/ Tamarind Rice (Kadambham)
~ Drumstick Soup, Kuzha Puttu Kadalai Curry, Masala Vada Pulusu, Appam, Vegetable Stew (Malgudi, off Marthahalli Ring Road)
~ Phulkas (Queen's, Church Street); you have to eat a minimum of 15 and tire the waiter. It is a matter of sheer perseverance or a case of 'mind over matter'
International Cuisine can be savoured at any of the following eateries: The Peacock, Tycoons, Manhattans, Madison Square, The Regency, Shezwan.
Continental Food can be found at the Lotus, Jockey Club and Le Jardin among others.
South Indian Good places for top meals of this kind can be found at Karavalli or Coconut Groove among many others in the city.
North Indian If you after something more along north Indian dishes then either the Bankura Punjabi Restaurant or the Peacock Garden will certainly cater to this taste.
Vegetarian Discover all the wonderful dishes you can have that are purely vegetarian. The Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), Udupi Sri Krishna Bhavan, Woodlands, Kamat Hotel, Chalukya Samrat and Sukh Sagar Food Complex have some excellent choices that will keep you going back for more.
Middle Eastern Cuisine One of the better spots for Mid-eastern meals is Sana's Arabian Food
Far East You can’t go wrong dining at any of the following restaurants where rice or noodles form part of each dish: Rice Bowl, Chinese Hut, ,Chung Wah, Memories Of China, The Orient, Mandarin Room, Paradise Island, Chezan, Szechwan Court, Shangai Bar & Restaurant, Shangrila Bar & Restaurant, Ginza,Taipan, Noodles or the Jade Garden,China Club to name but a few.
Barbecue Meet new friends and fellow travellers when you join in on the BBQ at any of the following eateries: Pool Side Barbecue (West End Hotel),The Royal Afghan,The Greens, Windsor Grill
24 Hour Coffee Shops A night out on the town can wind down with a hot ‘cuppa’ or an Irish Coffee at one of the following all day/night joints: Coorg, Lanai, Southern Comfort, The Central Park, Potuck Cafe
Cocktail Bars Take your lady out for a quiet “sundowner” at any of the following excellent choices: Jockey Club, Hibiscus, Coconut Groove Bar, The Royal Derby, Jazz Club, Sundowner, The Crazy Horse Bar, Lobby Lounge
Fast Food & Ice Cream Parlours If you are travelling with kids a ‘junk food’ treat is always popular (or perhaps you fancy the stuff too?). You can’t go wrong paying any of the following eateries a visit: Richie Rich, Donald Duck, Super Rich, Indiana Fast Foods, Mac Fast foods, Ice Station, Chit Chat, Lake View, Corner House, Koshy's Kulfi, Shreeraj Lassi Bar, Yankee Doodle, Waikiki, Casa Picola or Hot Breads.
The Pubs of Bangalore Meet other travellers and socialise with the locals at one f he many pubs in the city. Some of the more popular spots are the Pubs Black Cadillac, The Pub World, NASA, The Underground, Guzzler's Inn, The Night Watchman, Take 5, Hi-Spirits, Scottish Pub, Pecos, Oaken Cask, Cheers, High Octane, Noon Wine, Time 'n' Again, The Pub, Crossroads, 19th Church Street, Downtown, The Brigade Pub or Oasis.
Contributors
December 14, 2006 change by lokapriya (4 points)
December 14, 2006 change by giorgio
