Things to do in Southern Karnataka
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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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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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Namdroling Monastery
Bylakuppe's highlight is the Namdroling Monastery, home to the jaw-droppingly spectacular Golden Temple, presided over by an 18m-high gold-plated Buddha. The temple is at its dramatic best when school is in session and it rings out with gongs, drums and chanting of hundreds of young novices. You’re welcome to sit and meditate; look for the small blue guest cushions lying around. The Zangdogpalri Temple, a similarly ornate affair, is next door.
reviewed
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Gomateshvara Statue
A steep climb up 614 steps takes you to the top of Vindhyagiri Hill, the summit of which is lorded over by the towering naked statue of Gomateshvara. Commissioned by a military commander in the service of the Ganga king Rachamalla and carved out of a single piece of granite by the sculptor Aristenemi in AD 981, its serenity and simplicity is in stark contrast to the Hoysala sites at Belur and Halebid.
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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Vinayaka Mylari
Locals line up for the dosas (paper-thin, lentil-flour pancakes) and soft Mysore-style idlis (rice dumplings) served with delicious coconut chutney at this decades-old operation. A masala dosa and coffee make a great breakfast or lunch.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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.
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Cauvery Arts & Crafts Emporium
Not the cheapest place, but the selection is extensive and there’s no pressure to buy.
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Maharaja's Palace
The fantastic profile of the walled Indo-Saracenic Maharaja's Palace, the seat of the maharajas of Mysore, graces the city's skyline. An earlier palace burnt down in 1897 and the present one, designed by English architect Henry Irwin, was completed in 1912 at a cost of Rs 4.5 million.
The palace's interior - a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors and gaudy colours - is undoubtedly over the top, but it includes awe-inspiring carved wooden doors and mosaic floors, as well as a series of historically interesting paintings depicting life in Mysore during the Edwardian Raj. Hindu temples within the palace grounds include the Sri Shweta Varahaswamy Temple; its gopuram (gatewa…
reviewed
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Channakeshava Temple
The Channakeshava Temple was commissioned in 1116 to commemorate the Hoysalas’ victory over the neighbouring Cholas. It took more than a century to build, and is currently the only one among the three major Hoysala sites still in daily use – try to be there for the puja (offerings or prayer) ceremonies at 9am, 3pm and 7.30pm. Some parts of the temple, such as the exterior lower friezes, were not sculpted to completion and are thus less elaborate than those of the other Hoysala temples. However, the work higher up is unsurpassed in detail and artistry, and is a glowing tribute to human skill. Particularly intriguing are the angled bracket figures depicting women in rit…
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.
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Hoysaleswara Temple
Construction of the Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebid’s claim to fame, began around 1121 and went on for more than 80 years. It was never completed, but nonetheless stands today as a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture. The interior of its inner sanctum, chiselled out of black stone, is marvellous. On the outside, the temple’s richly-sculpted walls are covered with a flurry of Hindu deities, sages, stylised animals and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala rulers. A huge statue of Nandi (Shiva’s bull) sits to the left of the main temple, facing the inner sanctum.
reviewed
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Bandipur National Park
About 80km south of Mysore on the Ooty road, the Bandipur National Park covers 880 sq km and was once the Mysore maharajas’ private wildlife reserve. The park is noted for its herds of gaurs (Indian bison), chitals (spotted deer), sambars, panthers, sloth bears and langurs, apart from tigers and elephants. Despite its rich wildlife, however, Bandipur isn’t the best place for animal sightings; unrestricted traffic hurtling down the busy highway that cuts through the forest has made the animals wary of venturing close to safari areas of late.
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