Bangalore, a bustling city in southern India, is known for its rich culture and vibrant food scene. With a history that dates back to the 16th century, Bangalore has a unique blend of traditional and modern cuisine that has been influenced by various cultures over the years. From spicy masala dosas to mouth-watering biryanis, Bangalore’s traditional foods are an essential part of its identity. If you’re a foodie looking to explore the city’s culinary delights, you’re in for a treat. In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the streets of Bangalore, where you’ll discover some of the city’s most popular traditional foods and where to find them. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with our guide to Bangalore’s traditional foods.
South Indian Cuisine in Bangalore
When it comes to traditional food in Bangalore, South Indian cuisine is a must-try. South Indian cuisine is famous for its dosas, idlis, vadas, and sambar. These dishes are made with rice flour, lentils, and spices and are usually served with chutneys and sambar.
One of the most popular dishes in Bangalore is the masala dosa. It’s a crispy pancake with fermented rice and lentil batter, filled with a spicy potato filling. The masala dosa is a staple in Bangalore’s breakfast scene and can be found in almost every restaurant and street corner.
Another popular South Indian dish is the idli. It’s a soft and fluffy steamed cake made with a batter of fermented rice and lentils. Idlis are usually served with coconut chutney and sambar.
If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast option, you can try the Vada. It’s a savory doughnut-shaped fritter made with lentil flour and spices. Vadas are usually served with coconut chutney and sambar.
Some of the best places to try South Indian cuisine in Bangalore are MTR, Vidyarthi Bhavan, and CTR. These restaurants have been serving traditional South Indian food for decades and are a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
Famous Breakfast Dishes in Bangalore
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and in Bangalore, it’s taken very seriously. Bangalore’s breakfast scene is a melting pot of different cultures and cuisines. From South Indian dosas to North Indian parathas, there’s something for everyone.
One of the most famous breakfast dishes in Bangalore is the puri sabzi. It’s a North Indian dish with deep-fried puffed bread and a spicy vegetable curry. The puri sabzi is a heavy breakfast dish and is usually served with a glass of lassi or masala chai.
Another popular breakfast dish in Bangalore is the khara bath. It’s a spicy semolina dish made with vegetables and spices. Khara bath is usually served with coconut chutney and a hot cup of filter coffee.
If you have a sweet tooth, you can try the holige or obbattu. It’s a sweet flatbread made with flour, jaggery, and coconut. Holige is a traditional Karnataka dish and is usually served during festivals and special occasions.
Some of the best places to try breakfast in Bangalore are Brahmin’s Coffee Bar, Veena Stores, and Maiya’s. These restaurants are known for their delicious breakfast dishes and are a favorite among locals and tourists.
Lunch and Dinner Favorites in Bangalore
When it comes to lunch and dinner, Bangalore has a lot to offer. From spicy biryanis to creamy butter chicken, there’s something for every palate.
One of the most famous lunch dishes in Bangalore is the thali. It’s a platter of different dishes served on a banana leaf. The thali usually consists of rice, sambar, rasam, vegetables, papad, and dessert. It’s a wholesome meal and is usually served in traditional restaurants.
If you’re a biryani lover, you can’t leave Bangalore without trying the spicy and flavorful biryanis. Bangalore is known for its mutton and chicken biryanis. The biryanis are usually served with raita and salan.
Another popular lunch and dinner dish in Bangalore is butter chicken. It’s a creamy and rich chicken curry made with butter, cream, and spices. Butter chicken is usually served with naan or rice.
Some of the best places to try lunch and dinner in Bangalore are Nagarjuna, Mavalli Tiffin Room, and Shri Sagar. These restaurants are known for their delicious traditional food and are a favorite among locals and tourists.
Bangalore’s Street Food Scene
Bangalore’s street food scene is a foodie’s paradise. The city has a vibrant street food culture, with hundreds of street vendors selling a variety of dishes.
One of the most popular street food dishes in Bangalore is the chaat. It’s a savory snack with crispy fried dough, boiled potatoes, chickpeas, and chutneys. Chaat is a perfect snack for a quick bite while exploring the city.
Another popular street food dish in Bangalore is the pav bhaji. It’s a spicy vegetable curry served with buttered bread. Pav bhaji is a filling snack and is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
If you’re looking for something sweet, you can try the jalebi. It’s a sweet and crispy deep-fried dessert made with flour and soaked in sugar syrup. Jalebis are usually served hot and are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Some of the best places to try street food in Bangalore are VV Puram Food Street, Shivaji Nagar Food Street, and Jayanagar 4th Block. These places are a hub for street food vendors and offer a wide variety of dishes.
Traditional Sweets and Desserts in Bangalore
Bangalore’s traditional sweets and desserts are a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. From creamy rasgullas to crispy gulab jamuns, Bangalore has something for everyone.
One of the most famous sweets in Bangalore is the Mysore Pak. It’s a sweet made with ghee, sugar, and gram flour. Mysore pak is a rich and decadent sweet and is usually served during festivals and special occasions.
Another popular sweet in Bangalore is the rasgulla. It’s a soft and spongy ball-shaped dessert made with chhena and soaked in sugar syrup. Rasgullas are a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
If you’re looking for something crispy and sweet, you can try the gulab jamun. It’s a deep-fried dough ball soaked in sugar syrup. Gulab jamuns are usually served hot and are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Some of the best places to try traditional sweets and desserts in Bangalore are KC Das, Sri Venkateshwara Sweetmeat Stall, and CTR. These places are known for their delicious sweets and desserts and are a favorite among locals and tourists.
Must-visit Restaurants for Traditional Bangalorean Food
Bangalore is a melting pot of different cultures and cuisines. If you’re looking for authentic traditional food in Bangalore, you need to visit some of the city’s must-visit restaurants. These restaurants have been serving traditional food for decades and are a favorite among locals and tourists.
One of the best restaurants to try traditional food in Bangalore is MTR. It’s a century-old restaurant that serves authentic South Indian food. MTR is known for its delicious masala dosas, idlis, and filter coffee.
Another popular restaurant to try traditional food in Bangalore is Vidyarthi Bhavan. It’s a legendary restaurant that serves delicious South Indian breakfast dishes. Vidyarthi Bhavan is known for its crispy masala dosas and filter coffee.
If you’re looking for traditional North Indian food, you can visit the Taaza Thindi. It’s a popular restaurant that serves delicious North Indian dishes like parathas and chole bhature.
If you’re looking for traditional sweets and snacks, you can visit the Gandhi Bazaar. It’s a bustling market that sells traditional sweets, snacks, and puja items. Gandhi Bazaar is a great place to shop for souvenirs and try traditional food.
Vegetarian and Non-vegetarian Options in Bangalorean Cuisine
Bangalorean cuisine offers a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The city has a thriving vegetarian food culture, and there are many restaurants that serve delicious vegetarian dishes. If you’re a vegetarian, you can try dosas, idlis, and vadas. These dishes are usually vegetarian and are served with chutneys and sambar. You can also try the thali, which is a platter of different dishes served on a banana leaf. If you’re a non-vegetarian, you can try the biryanis, butter chicken, and kebabs. These dishes are usually made with chicken or mutton and are served with rice or naan.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Bangalore’s traditional food is a reflection of its rich culture and history. From South Indian dosas to North Indian parathas, Bangalore has something for everyone. If you’re a foodie, you need to explore the city’s food markets and restaurants to try traditional food. Some of the must-visit restaurants in Bangalore are MTR, Vidyarthi Bhavan, and Brahmin’s Coffee Bar. These restaurants have been serving traditional food for decades and are a favorite among locals and tourists. Whether you’re a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, Bangalore has a lot to offer. From spicy biryanis to creamy butter chicken, you’re sure to find something that suits your palate.
So, what are you waiting for?
Explore the streets of Bangalore and try traditional food for an unforgettable culinary experience.
