Bangalore is a foodie’s paradise. There is so much to choose from, so many concept restaurants, lounge bars, pubs, cozy snack places, fast food joints, theme cafes, and fine dining places. Here's a Pandora’s Box of restaurants with different cuisines that form a “top ten restaurants” list. Although I'm sure there are a lot of top ten restaurant lists out there - this one has been written solely from my viewpoint.
Sahib Sindh Sultan (Mughlai)
Located on the second floor of Forum Mall in Koramangala, this is a fine dining restaurant that takes one through a dining experience in true colonial style ambience. One of the best Mughlai cuisines in Bangalore, it tastes just about as authentic as North Indian food can be in other parts of the country. The way the waiters are dressed and the way certain parts of the restaurant are done up is fascinating (for instance: the train coaches, and the royal chairs, and the grand curtains). I would be spoiling the surprise if I were to mention all of it in detail here. One has to experience it and savor it. An average meal for two here would cost about Rs. 500/- to Rs. 600/- .S3, as it is better known amongst the foodies in Bengaluru, is a must-visit for Mughlai food junkies.
Samarkhand (frontier)
By far, the best for Frontier cuisine, this dimly lit restaurant has the waiters walking around in true Pathan suits and turbans and huge mustaches. The most innovative menu that they sport is designed in the form of a newspaper and has small write ups and notes in addition to the menu, of course. The kababs, grilled meat, nans, and also the huge pitcher type lemonade that they serve are worth the wait (the service is a bit slow, have to admit that). Here an average meal for two would be approximately Rs. 700/-. They also do the usual pampering of the customer who is celebrating his birthday there - clicking pictures, and giving you an instant copy of you with your group of friends on your birthday or any occasion you might be celebrating. Samarkhand is at Gem Plaza, in Infantry road.
Mainland China (Chinese)
Just at the beginning of the 100 ft Road, Indiranagar, you will find a posh dining place that serves excellent Chinese food. There is a buffet that is quite filling, with a choice of soups, starters like wontons and momos, the main course with brilliant chicken dishes, fish as well as rice and noodles (I'd suggest the noodles) and ends with dessert. The a la carte is slightly more expensive but the chicken dishes and the sauces are worth trying out. Reservations are recommended as you could end up waiting outside the restaurant for more than forty minutes!
Sunny’s (Italian)
A chic Italian restaurant in Vittal Mallya Road, Sunny’s is named after the owner’s pet dog. They have really friendly staff, nice interiors and great food. There are glass walls that let the sunlight seep in and make the setting perfect for a lazy Sunday lunch. The bread basket that comes with every meal consists of tasty garlic and other bread rolls and twists. Their pastas are recommended as against the pizzas. The penne in cream sauce and the Norwegian fish fillet/grilled fish are to die for. The desserts in Sunny’s can be another separate discussion altogether. Chocolate desserts there just melt in your mouth and can leave you in a trance for a few seconds. The tri-chocolate mousse cake, the cheesecakes, tarts and the meringue cakes tempt you to no end. A bit much on the expensive side, an average meal for two would cost Rs. 1300/-.
Ebony (Parsi)
Ebony is a splendid mix of rooftop views of the city landscape and mouthwatering dishes. The Parsi food here is by far the best in the city. This place sure does serve other cuisines as well, but Parsi is what I would suggest. Situated on the 13th floor of Barton Centre in M. G. Road, Ebony is a popular choice for dinner. The buffet here is highly recommended. Ebony is the ideal place to go for a long meal and catching up over a mug of chilled beer.
Surasang (Korean)
Recently opened in Koramangala, Surasang is a Korean restaurant that promises a truly different experience. Average meal for two here would be around Rs. 800/-. Dimly lit, with instrumental music and with interesting wooden seating, this place gives you a different culinary experience. The starters that come in a variety of small bowls are an assortment of rolls, twisted breads, pancakes, beans, eggs, etc. Each has a distinct flavor and is interesting and colorful. The waiters actually help you decide the main course and also tell you how to eat the seemingly different ensemble - whether to stir, or dip or mix - according to the dish. At the end of the meal you are served a sort of sweet tea which is golden colored and with a very floral fragrance to it. The cuttle fish, the pork dishes and the beef stew are worth trying out at this Korean restaurant.
Koshy’s (local favourite)
Koshy’s on St. Marks Road was started in the 1940s and has stayed on top of the list of any Bangaloreans favorite eating joints through the years. With sturdy wooden furniture and panels across the walls, smoking regulars inside, it has the feel of a bygone era of thinkers, journalists, decision makers, change masters, who had a purpose.... who made things happen. This is a Sunday breakfast favorite in Bangalore and the Koshy’s coffee, cold coffee and the hamburgers and lambburgers here are must-haves. There are office people who stroll in to have a small meeting, discuss events, etc. in addition to families and youngsters who come for snacks and meals here. The guest book has scribbles from Anju Bobby George to Arundhati Roy, besides other celebrities. For about Rs. 300/- you can enjoy a delicious meal for two at this grandfather of all food joints in Bangalore.
Empire (midnight eating)
Empire is definitely a life saver for the party-goers of Bangalore. Highly recommended for someone on a non-veg rampage, this place sure serves amazing Grilled Chicken, Shawarma, Chicken Tikka Masala, Kababs and Mutton Kheema Dosas! After a typical party or pubbing spree, one finds that there are not many options to eat out in Bangalore, that is if you don’t want to go to a 5 star restaurant. This sure is the age of Empire! The Empire outlet in Residency Road is by far the best.
MTR (south Indian)
Mavalli Tiffin Rooms is one of the oldest restaurants in Bangalore. It was started in 1924 and is situated near Lalbagh, right next to Urvashi Cinema. It is a pure south Indian restaurant which is recommended for breakfast. You find the old and the young, the families and the young groups loitering in and out of MTR early mornings after their walks and jogs in Lalbagh. The place has a huge waiting room that gives you a clear idea of the kind of crowd that this place draws. The masala dosa, the rava idly, the coffee, the bisibilebath and the fruit salad with ice cream are some of the many star items in MTR.
Corner House (Just cant be left out!)
This place just cannot be left out while reviewing food places in Bangalore. Even though it is not a typical restaurant, I just could not make a list of top ten places without having Corner House on the list. There are so many outlets across Bangalore and you always find yourself craving for the fudge sauce in Corner House which has become synonymous to the outlet itself. Death By Chocolate here is a sinful experience with three scoops of ice cream, black forest cake and lots of chocolate sauce over it. The HCF or Hot Chocolate Fudge is another favorite at Corner House. The ice cream shakes here are thick and can constitute a full meal all by themselves. Anything that has the fudge sauce is a sure hit like the Chip Fudge Sundae and the Cake Fudge Sundae. Whether it is on Residency Road, or Airport Road, or Koramangala, you just have to stop and have your daily dose of ice cream at Corner House, or you just can't be a true Bangalorean!
With that, we come to the end of a food journey across Bangalore, touching different cuisines and food items and different places to go to at different hours of the day and in different moods. Slurp slurp!
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