Things to do in Bengaluru (Bangalore)
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Mavalli Tiffin Rooms
This legendary joint, commonly called MTR, has been feeding Bengaluru its stock South Indian fare such as masala dosas for more than seven decades. The queues can get long during lunch hours.
reviewed
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The Only Place
Burgers, steaks, apple pies or the classic shepherd’s pie – no one serves them better than this oldie, which boasts semi-alfresco interiors and a relaxed vibe.
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Ebony
Rated highly by Bengaluru’s foodies, this place high up on a skyscraper serves the best Parsi food in town, along with some delectable Thai and French dishes.
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Nagarjuna
Not a place to linger, this fast-moving, constantly packed-out joint dishes up spicy-as-hell Andhra specialities on banana leaves.
reviewed
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Tandoor
Consistently good tandoori, biryani (steamed rice with meat or vegetables) and kebab dishes.
reviewed
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Grasshopper
Save this one for a special occasion. Some 15km south of town, this leafy boutique restaurant run by a designer couple has no menu; you just have to go by what it tosses up for the day. Besides, you have to book at least a day in advance and inform them about your food preferences. The upside of all this is a scrumptious, heart-warming meal, which you’ll remember for a long time to come.
reviewed
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F
Harima
Practically a home-away-from-home for Bengaluru's expat Japanese, Harima is pretty much on the mark for its atmosphere and Japanese food, including sushi, noodles, tempura and more obscure dishes such as natto (fermented bean sprouts).
reviewed
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Casa del Sol
This is a relaxed Mediterranean-style bistro that has a semi-alfresco area. Wednesday is disco night, Thursday has free salsa classes and Sunday has an opulent brunch (Rs600) with unlimited drinks and children’s activities.
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Konark
This place serves tasty Indian food in colourful, comfy surroundings. The lunchtime South Indian thali is a gut buster; for something less filling, opt for the snack dishes, or eggless cakes and pastries.
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Olive Beach
This spot duplicates the groovy Mediterranean style and deliciously authentic food of its Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay) sisters. Book ahead for the great Sunday brunch with free-flowing booze.
reviewed
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Paparazzi
Spicy chicken kebabs (served on a flaming skewer) and decent caesar salads are served with sweeping city views at this supertrendy place. The around Rs200 set lunch is a good option.
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Gramin
A wide choice of flavourful and breezy North Indian fare is on offer at this extremely popular all-veg place. Try the excellent range of lentils, best had with oven fresh rotis.
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Queen’s Restaurant
The rustic, tribal decor in this cosy restaurant complements its lip-smacking Indian fare, especially the vegie dishes.
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Wonder La
Located 30km out of Bangaluru on the Mysore highway, this massive aqua park offers dozens of water rides.
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Legend of Sikandar
Legend of Sikandar serves Lucknowi, Hyderabadi and North Indian cuisine to general applause.
reviewed
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Lalbagh Botanical Gardens
Spread over 96 acres of landscaped terrain, Lalbagh or the Red Garden was laid out in 1760 by Hyder Ali, and is now one of Bengaluru’s most famous greens. Ten-seater ecofriendly buggies (per head Rs100) can take you on a guided tour across the garden, telling you more about the centuries-old trees and collections of plants from around the world. A beautiful glasshouse, modelled on the original Crystal Palace in London, is the venue for flower shows in the weeks preceding Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August). Walk in early on Sundays, and you can also hear the police band perform at the Police Bandstand.
reviewed
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Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath
This visual arts gallery is Bengaluru’s definitive art institution. A wide range of Indian and international contemporary art is on show at its exhibition galleries (open 10.30am to 7pm), while permanent displays showcase lavish gold-leaf works of Mysore-style paintings and folk and tribal art from across Asia. A section is devoted to the works of Russian master Nicholas Roerich, known for his vivid paintings of the Himalayas, and his son Svetoslav.
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Government Museum
The Government Museum to the south of Cubbon Park houses a collection of stone carvings and relics, including some good pieces from Halebid. Your ticket also gets you into the attached Venkatappa Art Gallery, where you can see several works and personal memorabilia of K Venkatappa (1887–1962), court painter to the Wodeyars.
reviewed
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Iskcon Temple
Built by the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), better known as the Hare Krishnas, this shiny temple, 8km northwest of the town centre, is lavishly decorated in a mix of ultra-contemporary and traditional styles. The Sri Radha Krishna Mandir has a stunning shrine to Krishna and Radha.
reviewed
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Krishnarajendra Market Area
For a pungent taste of traditional urban India, dive into this bustling wholesale fresh-produce Krishnarajendra Market and the dense grid of commercial streets that surround it. This is the main Muslim area of the city and you'll also find here several mosques, including the impressively massive lilac-painted Jama Masjid.
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Koshy’s Bar & Restaurant
Don’t step into the AC section; it’s considered a place for wannabes. The seasoned guys gather in its buzzy old wing, where they put away pints of beer and classic British meals (mains Rs50 to Rs250) in between fervent discussions. It’s an institution that has a reputation for serving Bengaluru’s intelligentsia.
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Cubbon Park
Named after the former British commissioner Sir Mark Cubbon, the 120-hectare Cubbon Park is where the city breathes. Inside and on its fringes you'll find the red-painted Gothic-style State Central Library, two municipal museums, an art gallery and a bleak Government Aquarium.
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Barbeque Nation
Good news for Kebab lovers! This stylish new place makes your dreams come true by serving a set meal of select barbecues, of which you can have unlimited portions! What’s better, you can have them skewered at your table to suit your tastes. Eat till you’re beat.
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Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum
For the gadget-oriented kind, the Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum showcases a wide range of electrical and engineering displays, from a replica of the Wright brothers’ 1903 flyer to 21st-century virtual-reality games.
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