Where to Eat in Bangalore: Dosas, Craft Beer & Prices

Bangalore’s food scene operates on two tracks: the South Indian tradition of dosas, idlis, and filter coffee that’s been here for generations, and the modern explosion of craft breweries, third-wave coffee, and chef-driven restaurants fuelled by the city’s tech wealth and cosmopolitan population. Both tracks are excellent.

South Indian Classics

The Legendary Dosa

Vidyarthi Bhavan — Gandhi Bazaar, Basavanagudi. The most famous dosa in India, running since 1943. The masala dosa here is crispy, buttery, and stuffed with spiced potato. Expect to queue. ₹70–120. Cash only.

MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Rooms) — Lalbagh Road. Another institution, since 1924. The rava idli was invented here. Masala dosa, filter coffee, and a side of nostalgia. ₹80–150. UPI accepted.

CTR (Central Tiffin Room) — Malleshwaram. Competes with Vidyarthi Bhavan for best dosa bragging rights. The benne (butter) masala dosa is extraordinary. ₹60–100. Cash preferred.

Filter Coffee

Bangalore runs on filter coffee — strong, sweet, and served in a steel tumbler and davara (cup and saucer). ₹20–40 at traditional restaurants. Indian Coffee House on MG Road is the old-school classic. Third-wave spots like Blue Tokai, Third Wave, and Subko serve pour-overs and single-origin for ₹150–300.

Modern Bangalore

Craft Beer

Toit — Indiranagar. India’s most famous brewpub. 6+ house brews on tap, good pub food. ₹300–500 per pint. Always buzzing. UPI and cards.

Arbor Brewing Company — Magrath Road. American-style craft brewery with a terrace. Solid IPA. ₹350–500. UPI and cards.

Windmills Craftworks — Whitefield. Brewery meets live music venue. Good beer, good food, good vibe. ₹300–500. UPI and cards.

Biryani

Meghana Foods — Multiple locations. Andhra-style biryani that Bangaloreans argue about passionately. The chicken biryani with salan is excellent. ₹200–350. Always packed at lunch. UPI accepted.

Restaurants by Budget

Budget: Under ₹400

Nagarjuna — Multiple locations. Andhra meals served on banana leaves. Unlimited rice, sambar, rasam, and incredible spicy chicken curry. ₹200–350. UPI accepted.

Mid-Range: ₹800–1,500

Karavalli — Taj Gateway. Coastal Karnataka cuisine in a stunning setting. The appam with prawn curry and the fish ghee roast are outstanding. ₹1,500–2,500. Cards and UPI.

Permit Room — KR Road. Bar-restaurant celebrating South Indian flavours. Cocktails made with kokum, tamarind, and filter coffee. ₹800–1,200. Cards and UPI.

Splurge: ₹2,000+

Toast & Tonic — Indiranagar. Bangalore’s coolest restaurant-bar. Farm-to-table modern Indian with a gin-focused cocktail program. ₹2,000–3,500. Cards and UPI.

Paying for Food

Bangalore is the easiest Indian city to go cashless. UPI is universal, and even traditional restaurants increasingly accept it. With Mony, you scan and pay from the ₹60 dosa to the ₹500 craft pint.

See our Bangalore Travel Guide and 2-Day Bangalore Itinerary.