Wining & dining in Bangalore

Many Bangaloreans are well-travelled and this has led to a mushrooming of restaurants serving diverse cuisines. Bangaloreans love eating out, and, many restaurants are packed even on weekdays. The city is known for its pubs; pick a pub that plays your kind of music, to enjoy evenings in. A few new watering-holes also brew their own beer. 

Restaurants open from about 11am for lunch and close by 3pm. They usually re-open for dinner by 7pm and shut by 11pm. 'Darshinis', which are local stand-and-eat restaurants, serve local 'fast food' and pre-set meals throughout the day. These open by 7 or 8am for breakfast too, and are filled with locals. Some darshinis have a few seats.  There are cafes, a few all-day dining options and mall food-courts that are open throughout the day, from about 11am to 11pm. Pubs, bars & lounges shut at 11pm sharp.

Your choice of places to eat during the day may have to be dictated by where you are around lunch time. It’s easier to have relaxed meals in the evening, when you can travel a bit to a restaurant of your choice. So, what does Bangalore eat?

Breakfast

Darshinis open in time for a quick breakfast and you can join the hordes enjoying idli, masala dosa, set dosa, rava idli, idli-vada, poori-masala or chow-chow bath (a 'combo' meal of the savoury uppittu and the sweet kesari, both prepared using semolina). Wash this down with filter coffee. For leisurely options, head to a few places serving a continental breakfast of eggs, ham and bacon. Or, places serving crepes, waffles and sandwiches. Less easily available outside Kannadiga homes are avalakki and akki rotti, both my favourites. Some Kannadigas eat 'Ragi mudde', made from ragi (finger millet). This requires a very acquired taste, but, eat this and it powers you through the day! 

Brunch

Bangalore's weather is tailor-made for brunch. Park yourself by a pool or sit al-fresco at any of the 5-star hotels. Or, head to some of the up-market restaurants offering a weekend brunch. Most brunches are fixed-priced and include a vast food and beverage selection. More economical, a-la-carte options are available at some 'Bangalore classics' or cafes. Brunches are my favourite way to unwind with friends.

Lunch

Eat fixed or all-you-can-eat 'thalis' or ‘meals’ for a quick lunch on the go. Or, choose from lunch buffets at restaurants, which are great value-for-money, as prices dip especially for a weekday lunch buffet. If you are near a mall, the food court is another option to grab a quick bite at. Many restaurants near offices get crowded during lunch hour and you might have to wait long for a table.

Hanging out

Bangalore has many cafes, some with al-fresco seating too, where you can grab an afternoon cuppa and some short eats. It could be the ubiquitous chain-cafes like Coffee Day, Barista, Cuppa or Costa cafe, or, other one-of-a-kind places. Many cafes use a Facebook page to stay in touch so browse through Facebook. Sports-bars are good options to hang out at, especially when they screen games.

Pubs & Cocktails

Bangalore is a pub city so go to one for a relaxed evening; choose one playing music you enjoy. From dark & dingy, to smoke-filled, to pubs for head-banging, to ones with Bollywood music, to 'classy' pubs, the city's got them all.

If pubs are not you thing, head to any of the bars, clubs or lounges. Dancing is unfortunately banned in Bangalore. Many watering-holes are crowded even on weekdays as people unwind after work. Use one of the many taxi services in the city and avoid driving after drinking.

Dinner

Bangaloreans love dining out and dinner-time is when everybody heads out with family & friends. ‘Thalis’ and buffets are still on offer, for those who don't want the fuss of ordering. Al-fresco dining is my favourite, for dinners; the slight nip in the air makes it enjoyable to linger over your meal or down a few warmers.

My recommendations

If you want restaurant recommendations in Bangalore, ask the locals. Or, use  online tools to read reviews and find something that meets your requirements. Since there are enough and more sites which list out restaurants by ‘category’ or ‘location’, I’ll mention some of my favourites by ‘occasion’; which is how I look for places to eat in.

My list is coming up soon!

Disclaimer:

None of the links in this post are sponsored nor have I been paid to ‘recommend’ them. All links mentioned here are links that I have found useful and recommendations are places I enjoy going to.

Photo credits:

Food images by Akash Chadha & Sumeet Moghe. Restaurant images by Preethi Reddy and Shikha Dey.