With the diverse palate its restaurants cater to, Bangalore is indisputably a gastronomic paradise. Among the Silicon Valley’s popular culinary getaways, there are quite a few which also offer a slice of the city’s rich history on your plate. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. Koshy’s
With its unassuming presence and old world charm, Koshy’s Parade Café (set up as a bakery in Bangalore’s Cantonment area by P.O. Koshy in the 1940 ), is the perfect place to sit with your cup of perfectly brewed filter coffee as you watch the world zip by.
While the Sunday Appams and Stew and the Anglo-Indian inspired Fish and Chips, Mutton Curry, Prawn Curry and rice are now iconic items on the extensive menu, the famed Fish Biryani and the lavish colonial style breakfast platter is worth sampling.
2. The Only Place
As the name implies, The Only Place at Museum Road used to be the only place in Bangalore where you could sink your teeth into a perfectly done steak or the juiciest American burger.
Started by the late Haroon Sait to bring a slice of the larger than life America to Bangalore, OPs (as the locals fondly call it) was originally an offshoot of his 1965-launched Regency Guest House on Brigade Road.
A favorite haunt of the city’s creative souls over the past half a century, OPs’ impressive list of innovations include Thanksgiving Day turkey dinners, pizza, pastas and home style hamburgers. It’s signature apple-pie is worth a try!
3. India Coffee House (ICH)
Located in Church Street, this vintage eatery has earned its fame for its pure filter coffee, sans chicory. ICH’s egg and toast and of course the dosas, are some of the dishes the regulars swear by.
Promoted by the Coffee Cess Committee in 1936, the India Coffee House chain launched its first outlet in Bombay. Bangalore got its Coffee House in the late 1950’s. Despite the strong lure of the Baristas and Café Coffee Days, ICH still stands tall and proud to this day, offering a whiff of the colonial Bangalore along with a plateful of nostalgia.
4. Rogue Elephant Café
Set amidst ancient trees in an over a century year old heritage building, Rogue Elephant Cafe at Basavanagudi is loved more for its seemingly eternal old world charm rather than its food. A perfect place to relax and watch the world go by, the place also has a shop that sells garden accessories and exotic plants that share the space.
5. MTR, Lalbagh Road
Set up in 1924 by Parameshwara Maiya, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) shifted to its present premises at Lalbagh Road in 1960. Today, MTR is a household name with 9 outlets in Bangalore and one each in Dubai, Singapore, and Muscat. It is famed for its cleanliness, long queues, and of course, South Indian comfort food at its best.
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