My friend is coming to Bangalore to visit me, and she absolutely loves eating out. I need some help in knowing about the some of the good places to eat in Bangalore. She likes all kinds of food, so don't worry what kind of cuisine it is or the type of place, as long as it serves good food.
Hello, @Mimz, welcome to the forum! (Images from Sharada, Manojk and Surajms) Overview Known as the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is a fast-paced city when it comes to growth and development. Most people know it for its ever expansive IT industry which is its claim to fame, being home to a number of bachelors working for this field. The city is also known for being multi-cultural, as a huge number of people from all over India transfer to the city for that career expansion. Even the foodie scene here is very diverse, comprised of not just South Indian dishes, but also international dishes that one can enjoy. In this guide, we would highlight some of the best places to eat when in Bangalore, comprised of a variety of cuisines so that you can take your pick. Best Places to Eat in Bangalore 1. Taaza Thindi - A list of the best places to eat when in Bangalore won't be complete without mentioning Taaza Thindi. With its very simple ambience of just an open-air sitting area and various counters for the few meals they serve, Taaza Thindi is regarded as one of the most popular restaurants in the city. Their menu is simple, with just staple dishes from the typical South Indian breakfast available. This simplicity is its greatest feature since it just means that people truly come here just for the food. To order meals, you would take a token outside the restaurant and then queue for the specific meal counter you would like to order from. Nothing here costs more than Rs. 20 so it's also very budget friendly. Have you ever tried a melt-in-your-mouth Idli? Well, Taaza Thindi is famed for that, their super soft and fluffy that is sure to win your heart. To accompany this is their equally delicious chutney, which you can get in unlimited servings, which you surely would because just one won't be enough. Their Vada is also worth trying out, which in contrast, is quite crispy and goes well with the gravy too. And finally, their Masala Dosa is their best seller, which you would find a queue for every time you're here. It's medium-sized, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, just cooked well enough for the discerning foodie. So for that taste of authentic South Indian cuisine, head on to Taaza Thindi and satisfy those craving taste buds. Cuisine/s - South Indian Best Sellers - Idli, Vada and Masala Dosa Address - No. 1004, Main Road, Jayanagar 4T Block, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560041, India Contact Number - +91 80 4091 2277 2. Brahmin's Coffee Bar - Originally opened in the year 1965 as a small road-side cafe slash bakery, Brahmin's Coffee Bar has since then become a household name in Bangalore. It's not unusual to find flocks of locals by the small eatery especially during morning time as the menu here is comprised mainly of South Indian breakfast dishes. Much like the former restaurant, this is fairly simple eatery, with just standing areas for dining. Though the ambience isn't remarkable, what makes them stand out is the consistent quality of meals, however limited they might be. When it comes to the price, it is a tad more expensive than the former restaurant so there's that downside. It has the same soft and fluffy Idli, but you might want to request for that extra dollop of butter just for that add-on kick of flavor. The accompanying chutney is delectable, with a variety of flavors coming from the coconut, coriander and curry leaves used. Their Vada is incredibly crispy and fresh, a great accompaniment for the chutney as well. Do try out their beverages like the Badam Milk, for sweet-toothed individuals, and Filter Coffee, for the caffeine lovers. Cuisine/s - South Indian Best Sellers - Idli, Vada, Badam Milk and Filter Coffee Address - Near Shankar Mutt, Ranga Rao Road, Shankarapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560004, India Contact Number - +91 87 2266 4284 Idli in Brahmin's Coffee Bar (Image from Rakesh) 3. Shri Sagar or Central Tiffin Room (CTR) - The Central Tiffin Room, recently changed into Shri Sagar, was established in the early 20th century. It is therefore one of the oldest South Indian tiffin places in the city of Bangalore. Unlike the previous restaurants, this one has a dining area property, with two floors of indoor sitting areas. A best seller here is the Benne Masala Dosa, which is just the usual dosa stuffed with potatoes but cooked with extra dollops of butter. The dosa is crispy on the outside but very soft on the inside, a hard feat to achieve but this restaurant does it so easily. Sidings for the dosa include two types of chutneys served, one is made of coconut and the other is made of fresh mint leaves with coriander. If you still have that extra chutneys to relish, order some of their Mangalore Bajji, a fried snack made from flour and lots of flavorful spices. This dish is so popular that it becomes sold out within just a few minutes so do be patient when ordering it. If you dine in Shri Sagar, you're guaranteed to have your tummy filled even with just a tight budget on hand. Cuisine/s - South Indian Best Sellers - Benne Masala Dosa and Mangalore Bajji Address - 7th Cross Road, Margosa Road, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560003, India Contact Number - +91 80 2331 7531 4. Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) - Another contender for the South Indian cuisine is the Mavalli Tiffin Room, which was established in the early 20th century as the Brahmin's Coffee Club. Upon its renovation, it was renamed the Mavalli Tiffin Room in honor of the place where it is located. As of now, aside from its original branch in Lal Bagh Main Road, it has seven more branches in different areas of Bangalore. Their best seller is the Rava Idli, which they claim to be of their original recipe. This is basically the same idli but made using semolina instead of normal flour. It goes well with their mint chutney, as it balances the spicy and savory flavor of the rice cake. For sweet-toothed individuals, their Chandrahara is a must try, which is simply just a triangle-shaped puri topped with a sweet sauce made of coconut, almond and cashews. You can wash all this delectable dishes down with their Fruit Mixture, which is a combination of in season fruits, along with some almonds and refreshing ice cream. Cuisine/s - South Indian Best Sellers - Rava Idli, Chandrahara and Fruit Mixture Address - No. 14, Lal Bagh Main Road, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560027, India Contact Number - +91 80 2222 0022 Chandrahara in Mavalli Tiffin Room (Image from Mavalli Tiffin Room Facebook Page) 5. Veena Stores - Next we have Veena Stores, a humble road-side eatery known by most locals in the northern side of Bangalore. It serves the same South Indian cuisine, since Bangalore is in that region of the country anyway. Despite the very simple ambience, no tables nor air conditioning, you would find swarms of people lining up here, usually during early mornings. Again, you have the same routine of paying, getting your token and getting your preferred meals via the specific counters. The best feature of Veena Stores is their consistency when it comes to the taste and quality of their dishes. They have been in the food industry for many years now but the food have never deteriorated in quality even at the pace of modernity. This is why the eatery has earned many loyal patrons over the years. You can’t miss their Puliyogare, which is essentially a light and tasty tamarind-flavored rice, interspersed along it is the nuts which give that crunch and kick to it. Their Avalakki Baath is also popular, which is just flattened rice flavored with various spices, it goes well with coffee or tea. While you might have to sacrifice comfort when dining here, as you can only dine whilst standing, the food more than makes up for all the effort you need to go through. Cuisine/s - South Indian Best Sellers - Puliyogare and Avalakki Baath Address - No. 183, 15th Cross, Malleshwaram, Margosa Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560003, India Contact Number - +91 80 2334 4838 6. Onesta - Stepping away from the South Indian cuisine restaurants, we now go to Onesta, an Italian cuisine restaurant in Koramangala in Bangalore. It has that charm of a European cafe, with its surrounding greenery and lovely sitting areas. It is best known though for offering unlimited pizzas, desserts and beverages. If you have the appetite for it, you can even opt for the unlimited menu option, which gives you more variety at a reasonable price. You won't need to feel guilty at all as the servings are enough for just one person, therefore you won't be wasting food by ordering multiple variants of one dish, like the pizza for instance. Don't worry, they have options for both vegetarians and non vegetarians, like the Sun-Dried Tomato Margherita for the former and the Classic Pepperoni Pizza for the latter. Are you adventurous when it comes to food tripping? Then try their Chilly Chocolate Tart, which aside from the sweet flavor, has this tinge of spiciness to it. Cuisine/s - Italian Best Sellers - Sun-Dried Tomato Margherita, Classic Pepperoni Pizza and Chilly Chocolate Tart Address - No. 562, 8th Main, 4th Block, Next To Exide Battery Showroom, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560034, India Contact Number - +91 80 8880 3803 Berry Blast Cheese Mousse in Onesta (Image from Onesta Facebook Page) 7. Chili's American Grill & Bar - Chili's American Grill & Bar has various branches in Bangalore but the one in Orion Mall is the best rated branch. With its funky diner-like ambience and setup, it's as if you're transported into another country in a snap. The menu here is comprised of both American and Mexican cuisines dishes. For meat lovers, it can be hard to find authentic American dishes to satisfy that carnivore side of you. Chili's American Grill & Bar has got you covered with that. Their Philadelphia Melting Cheese Steak is oozing with flavor, its meat so juicy and tender it just melts so easily with every chew. With that siding of fries and veggies, it's a complete meal in one. Burger lovers can relish their variety of burgers, but do try their Old Timer With Cheese, just a classic burger dish that doesn't go out of style. Vegetarians are not left behind with choices when it comes to burgers, pastas and other Mexican delights. Recommendations are the Vegetarian Fajita and Cajun Veg Pasta. So if you're in the mood for food yet want to chill at the same time, you know where to go, Chili's American Grill & Bar. Cuisine/s - American and Mexican Best Sellers - Philadelphia Melting Cheese Steak, Old Timer With Cheese, Vegetarian Fajita and Cajun Veg Pasta Address - 2nd Floor, Orion Mall, Dr. Rajkumar Road, Rajaji Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560055, India Contact Number - +91 80 2268 2125 8. Jalsa Gold - For a fine dining experience that not only marvels in presentation but also in taste, visit Jalsa Gold, located in Panathur Junction in Bangalore. Jalsa Gold is the epitome of opulence, with its all-gold lined interiors. The restaurant aims to revive the glorious royal era of India, with its luxurious ambience of crystal drapes and traditional cutlery. The menu is varied, comprised of traditional North Indian cuisine dishes along with Italian, Continental and Asian cuisines dishes. If you just want to dine without any worries, you can opt for their buffet-style dining, which is a six-course meal comprising of a soup, salad, main and dessert. Highly rated dishes here are quite plenty but you can start with their Karela Salad. This is basically bitter gourd but more flavorful due to the addition of spices giving it more than just bitterness but an array of other flavors such as tanginess and spiciness. For mains, do try their Chidiya Ka Ghosla, which is simply Oriental-style chicken, soft and balanced with spices as well. Their creamy Murgh Nizami, also a chicken dish, goes well with a steaming cup of white rice. If you still have room for dessert, their Chocolate Lava Cake is delectably sweet but not too overbearing, the best way to end your delicious journey in Jalsa Gold. Cuisine/s - North Indian, Mughlai, Italian, Continental and Asian Best Sellers - Karela Salad, Chidiya Ka Ghosla, Murgh Nizami and Chocolate Lava Cake Address - No. 20/5, Panathur Junction, Outer Ring Road, Kaverappa Layout, Kadubeesanahalli, Marathahalli, Bangalore, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103, India Contact Number - +91 70 2245 5300 Royal Dining in Jalsa Gold (Image from Jalsa Gold Facebook Page) 9. Truffles - A food joint that satisfies on both quality and quantity, that is Truffles, found in the 5th Block of Koramangala in Bangalore. The ambience is just simple with diner-like sitting areas and modern decors. The queues here never seem to subside though, just an evidence of the restaurant's popularity amongst locals and tourists alike. After all, it's quite hard to find burgers, of various varieties and types, within the premises of the city. Their best seller is the classic All American Cheese Burger, with patty options for both vegetarians and non vegetarians. Huge in size, huge in taste, you won't be disappointed with this choice. Their Sloppy Joe is another favorite, with an assortment of stuffings like patties, sausages, egg and various condiments that make it a must try dish as well. They're not all about burgers though, you can try out sandwiches, subs or even pastas. Desserts, you say? They have that too and they do specialize in those sweet goods. You can't go wrong with their Red Velvet Cupcake and Death By Chocolate. Cuisine/s - American Best Sellers - All American Cheese Burger, Sloppy Joe, Red Velvet Cupcake and Death By Chocolate Address - No. 93/A , Ground Floor, A Wing, 4th B Cross, 5th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095, India Contact Number - +91 80 4146 6565 10. The Fatty Ba0 - As soon as you step into this restaurant, the eclectic interiors would mesmerize you. From the panda murals in the walls, to the mismatched furnitures, an open-air dining section, it's a modernized version of the Oriental that would appeal to the innate architect in you. If you have that craving for anything Asian, this is the best place for that. For authentic Chinese cuisine or even mild Japanese cuisine dishes, you can have them all here. The menu is also comprised of a few Thai and Malaysian cuisines dishes. Their baos here are quite popular, with varieties for both vegetarians and non vegetarians, like the Fried Eggplant Bao and The Patty Bao. For Japanese cuisine, they have sushis and ramens that one can enjoy. But a recommendation would be the Exotic Mushroom Ramen, ideally for the vegetarians, a light dish that still satisfies the glutton in you. Their Malaysian Chicken Kapitan is another delicacy you can't miss, its flavors so distinct from the usual curries in the country. The Fatty Bao is a culinary experience that you can't miss in Bangalore especially if you miss the authentic Asian flavors that sometimes go missing in the Indianized Chinese restaurants of the city. Cuisine/s - Asian Best Sellers - Fried Eggplant Bao, The Patty Bao, Exotic Mushroom Ramen and Malaysian Chicken Kapitan Address - No. 610, 3rd Floor, 12th A Main Road, Off 80 Feet Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indira Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India Contact Number - +91 80 4411 4499 Lamb Shieng Bao in The Fatty Bao (Image from The Fatty Bao Facebook Page) Conclusion They say that a trip to any country or place won't be complete without experiencing the local cuisine. It's true since part of the identity and culture of the place is always its food. This rings true with Bangalore as well, with its assortment of South Indian cuisine restaurants. In the modern world though, you would also find a number of international cuisine restaurants in the city, just enough to keep your palates satisfied with diversity and choices. With the guide above, you can now plan your food trip experience in the city without any difficulties. Good luck and I hope this helps you!
