Want to dine where Jawaharlal Nehru, Nikita Khrushchev and even good old Queen Elizabeth II did? Set GPS to Koshy’s on St Marks Road. 

What Makes It Awesome

Many say that the food isn’t as good as before, and we’re inclined to agree on some counts. But, favourites will always be favourite, yeah? Like the Roast Chicken and Fish ‘n’ Chips. The former, soft inside and crisp outside arrives with lumpy (but delicious) mashed potatoes, chunky boiled veggies and gravy that maintains an amazing peppery standard all-year, every year. The fish is deep fried and the tartare sauce isn’t just mayonnaise. Throw in home-cut chips and you’ll feel like you’re in London.

Prawn Biryani is another winner here. Spicy and full of masalas, with massive prawns in them, you best dig in with your fingers. Then, Appam and Stew for that traditional Sunday lunch with the family, or perhaps you’re the Ghee Rice and Fish or Chicken Curry kinds. Either way, expect spicy, greasy but oh-so-wonderful home-style fare that finds its way into your heart and memory.

Breakfast is a legendary affair here. So their omelettes (from mushroom and bacon stuffed to mutton and Spanish versions), Mushroom on Toast, sausages and bacon (though fried in questionable oil) are a sure shot winner. Anytime of the day, their strong but milky Koshy’s Special Coffee will give you that much needed kick. For munchies, try the Chicken Liver on Toast and the Cream of Chicken Sandwich (and you thought it was only a soup). There’s also a smattering of Chinese, North Indian, Korean and baked dishes (Cheesy Au Gratin is good) for you to sample. Blindly opt for Caramel Custard with the perfectly burned sugar or the Peach Melba for dessert.

The ambience is just like United Coffee House in Delhi used to be! A charm that’s gone missing with most places either being hip or being too fancy. The place serves decent food and it’s the laid back feel that makes you want to call for a beer, open a page of your favourite book and take life a little easy.

If you are expecting food that’s more glamorous than tasty, well then this ain’t your place. Koshy’s is an old-school, chilled out, in your comfort zone kind of restaurant. No frills, but good food sold in a comfortable setting.

If you think sattvic food is boring, think again, because The Higher Taste in Rajajinagar is going to change that Located in the ISKCON temple complex, The Higher Taste is Bangalore’s first sattvic restaurant that serves fully vegetarian food with no onions or garlic, in a fine dine setting. They are known for their elaborate special buffets which includes South Indian, North Indian, Continental and Chinese dishes. With a new buffet menu everyday, you will be spoilt for choice here. 

What Makes It Awesome

They serve about 40 items in their weekday buffet and about 50 items in their weekend buffets.The weekday lunch and dinner buffets are priced at INR 693 and INR 792 on weekdays. The kids weekday lunch and dinner buffets are priced at INR 441 and INR 495 on weekends. They set up a special live counter on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. 

If you aren’t too keen on buffets, they also have an A-la-carte menu for you to order from. Start off with Nellaikai Charu, a soup made out of gooseberries and taste Tawa Aloo Tiki priced at INR 265. For the main course, order Zafrani Kofta with Hariyali Kulcha and Peas Pulao or Biryani Dumdaar priced at INR 315. End the meal with some Gulab Jamun with Rabri or Elanner Payasam priced at INR 210. If you are looking for some continental options, order a portion of Tiramisu. Pay a visit to the ISKCON temple and end your visit with a meal at The Higher Taste.

You haven’t had breakfast in Koramangala if you haven’t had the waffles, pancakes, and the breakfast platters from this all-day breakfast cafe. Hole In The Wall is where your lazy Sunday morning breakfast needs to happen. 

Cosy and comfortable, the place has a very warm and welcoming ambience. Take your book and go if you have some reading to catch up on because even if you are sitting inside or in the al fresco seating, you’ve some sort of privacy. Oh, and during evenings, the place looks absolutely gorgeous with the fairy lights on and peeking through the planters.

What makes it awesome?

Where to start. The menu is vast. But if you are going for breakfast then you could start with anything as simple as pancakes with maple syrup to the Funky Monkey Waffles that come loaded with bananas choco chips, chocolate sauce, and condensed milk. You could also try the breakfast combos such as The All English Breakfast and The Chicken Hole 9 Yards Hash. Personally, I’d go for the Kiddie Waffles with sprinkles, ice cream, and choco chip waffles.  

I frequent this place and its sister place A Hole Lotta Love on JNC Road in Koramangala for breakfast or after college to grab a bite. And every single time the experience’s been good. Oh, and it’s also one of the places I got to when I’m craving for waffles. Their waffles are to die for. 

Pro tip

You need to go in a bit early during weekends if you want to get yourself a table for breakfast. The place gets super crowded by 10 am.

Greasy fries, massive burgers, beer and quintessential rock festival vibes, sometimes, nothing but Hard Rock Cafe will do.

What Makes It Awesome?

OK, we get that they don’t ONLY play rock music anymore, but hey, Bieber and Queen Bey classify as great, so it’s alright. Don’t complain when you can have the Big Cheeseburger with extra fries. Right, back to basics. Tucked in a charming and heritage building just off MG Road, you can’t really miss this one — it’s located in the Bible Society. Yes, you read right. We also feel a tad guilty, but quickly scuttle inside where Elvis jumpsuits, Prince’s guitar and Elton John’s quirky suits, and Deep Purple music seemingly atones for our sins!

The place is divided into two sections — one right by the bar and high stage (no, really, it’s so high you can’t always see the musicians unless you’re happy to go back with a pain in your neck), while the other is a more quiet area with table, sofas and chairs. Plus, a tiny corner dedicated to the one and only King Of Rock n Roll, Elvis Presley. Once you’ve settled into your choice of seating, don’t even wait for the menu to arrive; just order Rockin’ Wings (with blue cheese, and a piquant Heavy Metal sauce), Nachos and Original Hard Rock Onion Rings which is served in a smoky sweet barbecue sauce. And beer, of course, and the Ultimate Long Island Iced Tea which has vodka, gin, Bacardi Carta Blanca and Grand Marnier, topped off with coke.

When you’ve danced enough to the playlist or to a band, and you need refueling of the non-liquid kinds, sample their burgers. They are truly legendary, and if you’re a non-vegetarian, even more so. Most recommended is their Classic beef or chicken burger, but if you have a good appetite, take on The Big Cheeseburger — beef patty, American, Cheddar and Swiss cheese. So much indulgence, but so worth it. There’s also a few Bangalore quirks that have crept into the menu in the form of chicken rolls, red chilli fries and chilli cheese toast. Looking for solid mains? T-bone steak, Mac ‘n Cheese and Sri Lankan curry are other options. Make sure you end with the Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae or the Oreo Cheesecake, and then a shot of whiskey, because the place has Southern America vibes.

A legacy running successfully since 1930, your grandparents probably had their first date here over the then exotic strawberry ice cream. Owned originally by Englishman James Meadow Charles, it was sold (incidentally, in 1947!) to Indian Vraj Lal. Then came more than just ice cream. Despite a few ups and downs, the loyalists followed it around, ending up at its current addresses in Indiranagar and the original MG Road spot. Pizzas, ‘sand witches’ and milkshakes should be on your priority list. For nostalgia if nothing else.

Lakeview Milk Bar is amazing for desserts as well as snacks! The best part is that they are open till 1 am and you can also to sit in your car and enjoy the service.

Since its start Lakeview has kept pace with the growth of Bengaluru’s considering its original modest menu when they just had 3 flavors of ice cream – vanilla, chocolate and raspberry – and now serves food – savvy Bangaloreans in the 21st century

What Could Be Better?

The service is quiet slow later in the night because of the crowd and that could be improved.

The iconic spot doesn’t need any introduction. One of Bangalore’s best south Indian breakfasts can be eaten here and that too all under INR 100.

Brahmin’s café is one of the renowned places to visit for mouth-watering breakfast. This place is a Legendary Idli counter in Bangalore. This place has the shortest menu anyone has ever seen. Located on Ranga Rao Road, near Shankar Math, Shankarpuram, Basavanagudi Area, this restaurant hosts a crowd of visitors and has tingled the sense of taste since generations. They only serve Idli, Vada, Khara bath, Kesari Bath and coffee. However, the quality and taste of the food make up for this. It is a rare place in Bangalore where the chutney is so stupendous that it could be charged as a separate item on the menu.

Chow Down on

Idli, Vada, Upma, Kesari Bath (sweet upma)

Well known For

Its iconic status among old-school South Indian breakfast places, and the food, of course.

Even before you notice the almost-hidden and faded signboard announcing the destination, the crowd in front of the place, busy polishing off plates of idlis and vadas, is what will indicate that you’ve arrived. Inspite of its limited menu {they only serve 3-4 dishes, apart from tea and coffee}, Brahmin’s Coffee Bar is an all-time favourite for South Indian breakfasts and said to be a rite of Passage for newcomers in the city.

Gaining quite an iconic standing over the past 50 years since it was started by KV Nagesh Rao {in 1965}, the store is currently managed by his sons and grandson, with every family member contributing in their own way. In fact, Nagesh Rao’s wife, KN Saraswathi {who is over 80 years old} still looks into the preparation of the chutney, which they are noted for.

Specials

Idli and vada, served with their famous coconut chutney {made with a tinge of mint} is what you should try here. While they don’t serve sambar, make most of the unlimited chutney and tuck in. Soft and fluffy, the idlis almost melt in your mouth. One bite into the vada is all it will take to bowl you over. Super crispy on the outside and soft inside, the vadas here come with tiny coconut chunks in them and go rather well with the chutney. Equally popular are their Khara Bath and Kesari Bath. We might just consider it a crime if you leave the place without having their legendary coffee. Breakfasts here invariably ends with a glass of their frothy, strong filter coffee.

Are you even a true Bengalurian if you haven’t eaten the iconic CTR Shri Sagar in Malleshwaram? With a history of 90 years, Central Tiffin Room or more commonly known as Shri Sagar is one of the iconic eateries in Bengaluru. While there are a gazillion renditions of the butter dosa, this eatery has won awards for its Benne Masala Dosa.

What Makes It Awesome?

Standing on one corner of 7th Cross in Malleswaram, CTR is synonymous with the Benne Masala Dosa. Even as the waiter is carrying the yellow, plastic plates laden with the gleaming dosas towards you (or to another table), you are very likely to swoon a little with the wafting aroma of melted butter. When it’s placed in front of you and you eagerly tear off a piece, the ensuing crunch is music to the soul. I love that they fry up the light batter with just the right amount of butter. It’s definitely rich but you won’t feel your arteries clogging up. Also,I recommend that you insist on the mint chutney instead of just the coconut one. With 66 years of practice, you know it doesn’t get better!

There’s also the Kali Dosa set dosa, a fluffy dosa without the added calories from the butter. Don’t mind the calorie fest? Then, get the Chow Chow Bhath. The smooth, melt-in-the-mouth Kesari Bhath starts your day on a sweet note. While the lightly spiced, Khara Bhath acts as the perfect foil to all the sugar. Needless to say, take some some Mangalore Bajji and Maddur Vada(available past 4pm). Unless you prefer to dine in! 

Pro tips

This requires some planning on your part. No waiter is going to politely lead you to a vacant seat. You’ve got to look for vacant seats with a hawk-eye and grab them as soon as they are empty. Or take your food, and stand around the eatery.

Plus, parking around this area can be a nightmare because of one-ways. So, cab it here.

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