best restaurants in bangalore (2026)

tldr: out of 22 restaurants, my top 5 are karavalli (best fine dining, taj gateway), vidyarthi bhavan (best masala dosa since 1943), meghana foods (best andhra meals), mtr (best south indian breakfast), and truffles (best burgers). full reviews across all cuisines, with prices, ratings, and what to order below.

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i haven’t done a comprehensive bangalore restaurant tour yet. this guide is based on extensive research - local food blogs, google reviews, zomato and swiggy ratings, youtube food tours, and recommendations from bangalore locals who treat food as religion.

bangalore’s restaurant scene reflects its identity - a tech city built on a south indian foundation, with layers of every cuisine stacked on top. you’ve got masala dosa joints that have been around since 1924. andhra restaurants that serve biryani with military precision. craft beer pubs with wood-fired pizza. japanese izakayas. kerala seafood. mughlai kebabs. and burgers that have actual cult followings.

what i respect about bangalore’s food culture is that quality scales across price points. a rs 70 masala dosa at vidyarthi bhavan is as perfect in its category as a rs 2000 meal at karavalli is in its own. the city doesn’t just have expensive good food or cheap good food - it has great food at every single price point.

here’s the full breakdown.

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the full list

#	restaurant	area	cuisine	cost for two	rating
1	karavalli	residency road	coastal karnataka	rs 3000-4000	9.5/10
2	vidyarthi bhavan	basavanagudi	south indian	rs 150-250	9.5/10
3	mavalli tiffin rooms (mtr)	lalbagh	south indian	rs 300-500	9/10
4	meghana foods	multiple	andhra	rs 600-700	9/10
5	truffles	multiple	burgers, continental	rs 600-800	8.5/10
6	nagarjuna	multiple	andhra	rs 600-700	8.5/10
7	shivaji military hotel	jayanagar	military hotel	rs 400-500	9/10
8	brahmin’s coffee bar	basavanagudi	south indian	rs 80-120	8.5/10
9	empire restaurant	multiple	multi-cuisine	rs 500-600	7.5/10
10	caperberry	lavelle road	european	rs 2500-3500	8.5/10
11	the only place	museum road	continental	rs 800-1200	8/10
12	punjab grill	ub city	north indian	rs 2000-3000	8/10
13	fanoos	frazer town	persian-mughlai	rs 700-900	8/10
14	ebony	barton centre	multi-cuisine	rs 1500-2000	8/10
15	toit	indiranagar	brewery food	rs 1500-2000	8/10
16	pind balluchi	koramangala	north indian	rs 800-1200	7.5/10
17	veena stores	malleshwaram	south indian	rs 60-100	8.5/10
18	koshy’s	st mark’s road	continental	rs 600-800	7.5/10
19	by 2 coffee	basavanagudi	south indian	rs 80-150	7.5/10
20	om made cafe	indiranagar	healthy/vegan	rs 800-1200	7.5/10
21	kota kachori	koramangala	rajasthani	rs 200-400	7.5/10
22	big brewsky	sarjapur	multi-cuisine	rs 1500-2000	7/10

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south indian legends

these restaurants define bangalore’s food identity. they’ve been serving the city for decades, some for nearly a century, and they represent what bangalore cooking is at its core.

1. vidyarthi bhavan

basavanagudi, gandhi bazaar / south indian / rs 150-250 for two / 9.5/10

vidyarthi bhavan opened in 1943 and the masala dosa hasn’t changed since. that’s not a marketing line - the recipe, the technique, the ingredients, and the result have been the same for over 80 years. and it’s still one of the greatest breakfast items in india.

the dosa is crispy, golden-brown, and slightly thicker than the standard restaurant dosa. the potato masala filling has turmeric, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies in a ratio that someone perfected eight decades ago. the coconut chutney is fresh. the sambar is the kind that makes you understand why people argue about sambar.

the masala dosa is rs 70-80. a complete breakfast (dosa + coffee) costs under rs 100. the queue is the price you pay - 30-45 minutes on weekends, 15-20 on weekdays. shared seating means you’ll sit with strangers, eat in 10 minutes, and leave. that’s the system.

there’s nothing else on the menu worth ordering over the masala dosa. some people get the idli or vada as starters while waiting. that’s fine. but the dosa is the reason you came.

what to order: masala dosa and filter coffee. rs 100 total. the best rs 100 you’ll spend in bangalore.

verdict: the most essential restaurant in bangalore. skip everything else on this list before you skip this.

2. mavalli tiffin rooms (mtr)

lalbagh road / south indian / rs 300-500 for two / 9/10

mtr has been around since 1924. that’s over 100 years of making south indian breakfast, and the consistency is almost supernatural. the original lalbagh road outlet is the one you want - the chain outposts are good but the original has a different energy.

the rava idli was invented here. not inspired by, not adapted from. literally invented at mtr. the story goes that during a rice shortage in the 1940s, they used semolina instead of rice batter and created what’s now a south indian staple. the rava idli at rs 60-70 is still the best version anywhere.

the full south indian breakfast is the experience: masala dosa, rava idli, vada, kesari bath, filter coffee. each item is individually excellent and together they form the platonic ideal of south indian breakfast. the masala dosa here is different from vidyarthi bhavan’s - thinner, crispier, with a slightly different masala. both are correct. neither is better. they’re different schools of dosa philosophy.

the original restaurant has two floors and gets packed during breakfast (7:30-10am). the wait can be 20-30 minutes on weekends. they also do lunch and dinner, but breakfast is the move.

what to order: rava idli, masala dosa, and filter coffee. experience the thing they invented.

verdict: the most historically important restaurant in bangalore. over 100 years of serving breakfast that defines a cuisine.

3. meghana foods

multiple locations (koramangala, indiranagar, jayanagar) / andhra / rs 600-700 for two / 9/10

i covered meghana in detail in best biryani in bangalore, but it deserves a spot here because the biryani isn’t even the whole story. the andhra meals - unlimited thali with rice, dal, sambar, rasam, multiple curries, pickle, and papad - are equally excellent.

the chicken dum biryani at rs 300-350 is the most popular order. the andhra meals at rs 250-300 are the value order. the guntur chicken curry and the gongura chicken are standalone dishes that could each anchor a restaurant on their own.

meghana is the rare restaurant that’s both a chain and genuinely good. the consistency across outlets is impressive. every bangalore local has a meghana order and an opinion about which outlet is best (koramangala 5th block is the correct answer, fight me).

what to order: chicken dum biryani for the first visit. andhra meals for the second. guntur chicken curry for the third.

verdict: the most important restaurant chain in bangalore. it’s what every food chain should be - consistent, quality-focused, and honestly priced.

4. nagarjuna

multiple locations (residency road, koramangala, indiranagar) / andhra spicy / rs 600-700 for two / 8.5/10

nagarjuna is meghana’s spicier cousin. the andhra meals here come at a heat level that makes meghana feel mild. the bone marrow served alongside is a signature experience - crack the bone, scoop the marrow with rice, and understand why people queue for 30 minutes.

the biryani is excellent (see my biryani guide for details). the andhra meals are the star - unlimited rice, multiple curries, and a spice level that’s non-negotiable. if you have a low heat tolerance, start with meghana and graduate to nagarjuna.

the residency road outlet is the flagship. the decor is dark wood and banana leaf, which feels appropriate for the intensity of the food. service is fast because the system is efficient - you sit, the thali arrives, you eat, you leave. not a lingering restaurant.

what to order: andhra meals with mutton curry. crack the bone marrow. prepare for heat.

verdict: most intense dining experience on this list. the spice level is a feature, not a bug.

5. shivaji military hotel

jayanagar 4th block / military hotel / rs 400-500 for two / 9/10

covered in detail in my biryani guide. shivaji military hotel is old-school bangalore non-veg at its finest. the mutton biryani, the mutton fry, the chicken curry - everything is made with a simplicity that reveals how good the base cooking is.

steel plates. no air conditioning. no menu photos. prices that seem like they haven’t been updated in a decade. the crowd is local, the food is honest, and the experience is uniquely bangalore.

what to order: mutton biryani and mutton dry fry. total for two: rs 400-500.

verdict: the most authentically bangalore restaurant on this list. food as it should be.

6. brahmin’s coffee bar

basavanagudi, ranga rao road / south indian / rs 80-120 for two / 8.5/10

standing room only. five items on the menu. filter coffee in steel tumblers. idli that’s softer than clouds. vada that’s crispier than autumn. and a crowd of regulars who’ve been eating here since before most bangalore restaurants opened.

covered in detail in my brunch guide. brahmin’s is the most efficient breakfast in bangalore - 15 minutes from queue to finished plate. total cost: rs 50-80 per person.

what to order: idli-vada, kesari bath, filter coffee. rs 60-80 total.

verdict: cheapest excellent restaurant in bangalore. you’re eating alongside 80 years of history.

7. veena stores

malleshwaram, sampige road / south indian / rs 60-100 for two / 8.5/10

another standing-and-eating institution. veena stores is in malleshwaram and does the best medu vada in bangalore. the khara bath is excellent. the filter coffee is strong. the experience is: stand, eat, pay, leave. 10 minutes total.

covered in street food guide. the vada at rs 15-20 is the single best vada in the city.

what to order: two medu vadas, khara bath, filter coffee. rs 50-70 per person.

verdict: the vada benchmark of bangalore.

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continental and modern

bangalore’s non-indian restaurant scene has matured significantly. these places aren’t just “continental” as a placeholder - they’re doing serious cooking in specific styles.

8. karavalli

taj gateway hotel, residency road / coastal karnataka / rs 3000-4000 for two / 9.5/10

karavalli is, by most accounts, the best restaurant in bangalore. it specializes in coastal karnataka and kerala cuisine - think mangalorean fish curry, appam with stew, kane fry (ladyfish), and prawn ghee roast. every dish is made with specific regional recipes, sourced ingredients, and a level of care that justifies the premium pricing.

the space is beautiful - a heritage building within the taj complex, with an open courtyard, traditional karnataka decor, and a level of quiet elegance that most “fine dining” restaurants try and fail to achieve. this isn’t loud luxury. it’s the kind of restaurant where the food speaks and the ambiance listens.

the kane fry (rs 600-700) is the signature dish. the prawn ghee roast (rs 700-800) is the dish people return for. the appam with chicken stew (rs 400-500) is comfort food elevated to art. the lunch thali (when available) is the best value way to experience karavalli.

yes, it’s expensive. rs 3000-4000 for two with drinks. but this is a restaurant that has won national awards for a reason. save it for a special occasion - birthday, anniversary, promotion - and it will be the meal you talk about for months.

what to order: kane fry, prawn ghee roast, and appam with stew. if there’s a thali option, take it.

verdict: best restaurant in bangalore. possibly the best regional cuisine restaurant in india. not an everyday meal, but an extraordinary one.

9. caperberry

lavelle road / european / rs 2500-3500 for two / 8.5/10

caperberry is bangalore’s best european restaurant. proper french and italian cooking with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and technique. the menu changes regularly, which keeps regulars coming back and makes each visit feel slightly different.

the pasta is house-made. the risotto is properly cooked (not the gluey mess most indian restaurants serve as “risotto”). the steaks are imported and grilled to order. the wine list is curated and the sommelier actually knows what they’re talking about.

the space is intimate - maybe 40-50 covers. the lighting is warm, the tables are well-spaced, and the service is attentive without being annoying. it’s a date restaurant. it’s a celebration restaurant. it’s not a “let’s grab dinner” restaurant.

what to order: house-made pasta (whatever’s on the current menu), the risotto, and a glass of whatever the sommelier recommends.

verdict: best european fine dining in bangalore. come here when you want a proper date night.

10. the only place

museum road / continental / rs 800-1200 for two / 8/10

the only place has been doing steaks in bangalore since 1965. that’s nearly 60 years of grilling meat, and the muscle memory shows. the steaks are thick, cooked to your specification, and served on a sizzling plate with a side of mushroom sauce.

the restaurant is old-school - dim lighting, wooden booths, a menu that hasn’t changed dramatically in decades. the pepper steak (rs 400-500) is the signature. the grilled chicken (rs 350-400) is the backup. the sizzlers (rs 400-600) are the tourist order and honestly decent.

this isn’t fine dining. the meat quality won’t match a dedicated steakhouse in a 5-star hotel. but for honest, well-cooked continental food at prices that haven’t gone insane, the only place delivers on its promise.

what to order: pepper steak with mushroom sauce. the sizzler if you want the full experience.

verdict: bangalore’s oldest surviving continental restaurant. not the best steak in the city, but the most characterful.

11. truffles

multiple locations (koramangala, indiranagar, st mark’s road) / burgers, continental / rs 600-800 for two / 8.5/10

truffles has a cult following in bangalore, and the object of worship is a burger. the truffle special burger (rs 350-400) is a thick, juicy, properly assembled burger that has spawned 2-hour queues at the koramangala outlet. it’s not gourmet. it’s not artisanal. it’s just a really, really good burger.

the rest of the menu is solid continental - pasta, steaks, grills, and breakfast items. the pastas are decent. the steaks are above average for the price. but the burger is why truffles exists in conversations about bangalore food.

the koramangala outlet is the original and the most crowded. the st mark’s road outlet has more seating. the indiranagar one is the newest. quality is consistent across locations, though the koramangala one has a slight edge that might be nostalgia talking.

what to order: truffle special burger. the non-veg sizzler if you want something more substantial. the chocolate shake is the dessert move.

verdict: best burger in bangalore. the queue is the tax. the burger is worth the tax.

12. koshy’s

st mark’s road / continental / rs 600-800 for two / 7.5/10

koshy’s is bangalore’s intellectual cafe-restaurant. journalists, writers, politicians, and retired professors have been eating here since 1952. the food is old-school continental and south indian - think club sandwiches, cutlets, fish fry, biryani, and filter coffee.

the food quality is honestly average. nothing here will blow your mind from a pure food perspective. what koshy’s offers is atmosphere and history. the high ceilings, the old photographs on the walls, the buzz of conversation, and the knowledge that you’re eating where bangalore’s cultural conversations have happened for seven decades.

the biryani (rs 250-300) is decent. the chicken cutlet (rs 200-250) is the nostalgic order. the filter coffee (rs 30-40) is good. the overall bill for two: rs 600-800, which is reasonable for st mark’s road.

what to order: chicken cutlet, a side of biryani, and filter coffee. eat slowly and soak in the atmosphere.

verdict: not bangalore’s best food, but one of bangalore’s most important restaurants. come for the history.

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north indian

bangalore has a significant north indian population, and the restaurant scene reflects that. these aren’t south-indian-chefs-cooking-north-indian situations - they’re proper north indian kitchens with tandoors, dum cooking, and regional expertise.

13. punjab grill

ub city / north indian / rs 2000-3000 for two / 8/10

punjab grill in ub city is the upscale north indian option. the dal makhani is the benchmark dish - slow-cooked overnight, rich, creamy, and genuinely one of the best versions in south india. the butter chicken is proper - not the orange-colored sweet mess that passes for butter chicken in most restaurants.

the tandoori items are excellent. the seekh kebabs are juicy. the naan comes fresh from the tandoor. the service is ub city-level polished. the pricing is premium (rs 2000-3000 for two) but the quality justifies it for special occasions.

what to order: dal makhani (non-negotiable), butter chicken, garlic naan, and a seekh kebab starter.

verdict: best upscale north indian in bangalore. the dal makhani alone is worth the visit.

14. pind balluchi

koramangala / north indian / rs 800-1200 for two / 7.5/10

pind balluchi is the mid-range north indian option. the butter chicken (rs 350-400) is solid. the tandoori chicken (rs 400-500) is properly marinated and charred. the naan is fresh. the pricing is reasonable for the portion sizes.

the restaurant has a village-themed decor that’s a bit kitschy but somehow works. the koramangala outlet is the most visited. the food quality is a clear step below punjab grill but at half the price, which makes it the better everyday option.

what to order: butter chicken, tandoori chicken, and butter naan. the classic combo.

verdict: best value north indian in bangalore. not fancy, just good tandoor cooking at honest prices.

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global and fusion

15. fanoos

frazer town / persian-mughlai / rs 700-900 for two / 8/10

covered in biryani guide. fanoos brings persian-influenced mughlai cooking to bangalore’s frazer town. the mutton biryani is subtle and aromatic. the kebabs are excellent. the ambiance is a step above the typical frazer town restaurant.

what to order: mutton biryani and seekh kebab.

verdict: best persian-mughlai in bangalore. biryani with actual ambiance.

16. ebony

barton centre, mg road / multi-cuisine / rs 1500-2000 for two / 8/10

ebony is a rooftop restaurant on the 13th floor of barton centre, and the view is the first thing everyone mentions. you can see the bangalore skyline from here - not the most dramatic skyline in the world, but pleasant, especially at sunset.

the food is multi-cuisine covering indian, continental, and asian. the consistency is good across the board - the grilled chicken, the biryani, the pasta, and the thai curry are all above average. nothing is outstanding, but the combination of reliable food and the view makes ebony a solid option for a nice dinner without fine dining prices.

what to order: start with the view. then order the grilled chicken or the biryani, depending on your mood.

verdict: best restaurant view in bangalore. the food is good enough, the view does the rest.

17. toit

indiranagar / brewery food / rs 1500-2000 for two / 8/10

covered in pubs guide. toit’s food is significantly better than most brewery food. the wood-fired pizzas are genuinely good. the beer-battered fish and chips is reliable. the nachos and wings are solid bar food.

pair the food with their house-brewed beers and toit becomes a complete dining experience, not just a drinking one.

what to order: wood-fired margherita pizza and a pint of toit weiss.

verdict: best brewery food in bangalore. the pizza alone is worth ordering without beer.

18. om made cafe

indiranagar / healthy, vegan-friendly / rs 800-1200 for two / 7.5/10

om made cafe is indiranagar’s health-conscious cafe-restaurant. the menu is heavy on bowls, salads, smoothies, and plant-based options. the acai bowl (rs 350-400) is properly made with real acai. the buddha bowl (rs 300-350) is filling and balanced. the coffee is good.

this isn’t a place for indulgence - it’s the restaurant you go to when you’ve eaten biryani three days in a row and your body is begging for vegetables. the space is bright, airy, and feels like a wellness retreat in the middle of the city.

what to order: acai bowl and a green smoothie. your liver will thank you.

verdict: best healthy restaurant in bangalore. come here to reset after a week of meghana and toit.

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budget eats

bangalore’s budget restaurant scene is as strong as its fine dining. these places prove that great food doesn’t require great budgets.

19. empire restaurant

multiple locations / multi-cuisine / rs 500-600 for two / 7.5/10

empire is covered in biryani guide. the key fact: it’s open 24/7 at most locations. at 2am when nothing else is open, empire is there with biryani, kebabs, and fried rice. the food is consistently decent, the pricing is honest, and the convenience factor is unmatched.

what to order: chicken biryani and seekh kebabs. the 2am special.

verdict: bangalore’s most convenient restaurant. always open, always decent.

20. by 2 coffee

basavanagudi / south indian, filter coffee / rs 80-150 for two / 7.5/10

”by 2” is bangalore slang for sharing a filter coffee between two people - asking for one coffee “by 2” means splitting it into two smaller portions. this cafe in basavanagudi takes that concept and builds a whole experience around it.

the filter coffee is excellent. the idli and dosa are freshly made and cheap. the ambiance is no-frills south indian. the total damage for two people: rs 80-150, which barely qualifies as “spending money.”

what to order: filter coffee by 2 (obviously) and a plate of idli with sambar.

verdict: the most bangalore name on this list, and the most bangalore experience.

21. kota kachori

koramangala / rajasthani / rs 200-400 for two / 7.5/10

kota kachori brings rajasthani street food to bangalore and does it well. the kachori (rs 40-60 per piece) is flaky-crusted with a spiced dal filling, served with sweet and spicy chutneys. the poha (rs 60-80) is fluffy and well-spiced. the lassi (rs 80-100) is thick, sweet, and properly made.

this is breakfast or snack territory, not a full meal. but for rs 200-300, two people can eat well and experience a cuisine that’s underrepresented in bangalore.

what to order: two kachoris, one plate poha, and a sweet lassi to share.

verdict: best rajasthani food in bangalore. a welcome break from the south indian and andhra dominance.

22. big brewsky

sarjapur road / multi-cuisine with beer / rs 1500-2000 for two / 7/10

big brewsky is a large format restaurant-brewery on sarjapur road. the beer is decent (similar to byg brewski), the food covers everything from indian to continental to asian, and the space is massive with games and outdoor seating.

it’s not the best at any single thing, but the combination of beer, food variety, and space makes it a solid option for groups and casual outings. the sarjapur location limits its weekday appeal but weekends draw a steady crowd.

what to order: beer sampler and their wood-fired pizza. stick to the simpler menu items.

verdict: a perfectly fine large-format brewery-restaurant. great for groups, average for solo dining.

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the awards

• best overall restaurant: karavalli - coastal karnataka cuisine at its peak
• best south indian: vidyarthi bhavan - 80+ years of the perfect masala dosa
• best breakfast: mtr - the place that invented the rava idli
• best andhra: meghana foods - consistency is the superpower
• best burger: truffles - the cult is justified
• cheapest excellent meal: brahmin’s coffee bar - rs 60 for breakfast perfection
• best fine dining: karavalli - not even close
• best european: caperberry - proper technique, seasonal menu
• best north indian: punjab grill - that dal makhani though
• best 2am food: empire restaurant - always open, always there
• best view: ebony - 13th floor skyline dining
• most important restaurant historically: mtr - 100+ years and counting
• best for a date: caperberry or karavalli depending on cuisine preference
• best non-veg value: shivaji military hotel - old-school bangalore on a plate

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bangalore food neighborhoods: a quick guide

basavanagudi / gandhi bazaar: south indian tiffin heartland. vidyarthi bhavan, brahmin’s coffee bar, and the old-bangalore vibe.

malleshwaram: traditional south indian with some of the city’s oldest eateries. veena stores, janatha hotel, and the fruit juice stalls.

koramangala: the everything neighborhood. meghana foods, truffles, arbor brewing, and 200 other restaurants fighting for attention.

indiranagar: cafe culture, brewery culture, and the 100 feet road restaurant strip. more upscale than koramangala, more options than anywhere else.

frazer town / shivaji nagar: non-veg heaven. mughlai, kerala, and the best kebabs in the city.

church street / mg road / lavelle road: the old-school restaurant district. koshy’s, the only place, caperberry, and the 5-star hotel restaurants.

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questions people ask about bangalore restaurants

best restaurant in bangalore?

karavalli at the taj gateway hotel is the best restaurant in bangalore for a special occasion - their coastal karnataka cuisine is genuinely world-class. for everyday eating, meghana foods (andhra biryani and meals) and vidyarthi bhavan (legendary masala dosa) are the two restaurants that define bangalore’s food identity.

best south indian restaurant in bangalore?

vidyarthi bhavan in basavanagudi for masala dosa (since 1943), mavalli tiffin rooms (mtr) in lalbagh for the full south indian breakfast experience, and nagarjuna for spicy andhra meals. for coastal karnataka fine dining, karavalli at the taj is unmatched.

best fine dining restaurant in bangalore?

karavalli at taj gateway hotel for coastal karnataka cuisine, the leela palace’s restaurants for pan-indian and international, and caperberry on lavelle road for european fine dining. for a modern indian fine dining experience, rim naam at the oberoi or jamavar at the leela are both excellent.

best budget restaurant in bangalore?

vidyarthi bhavan (masala dosa for rs 70-80), brahmin’s coffee bar (full breakfast for rs 60), meghana foods (biryani for rs 300-350), and empire restaurant (24/7, most items under rs 300). for the cheapest sit-down meal, military hotels in jayanagar serve non-veg meals for rs 200-300.

best north indian restaurant in bangalore?

punjab grill for upscale north indian, pind balluchi for butter chicken and tandoori, and truffles for a burger that has a cult following (not technically north indian but fits the comfort food category). for mughlai, the restaurants around shivajinagar and frazer town are more authentic than any mall-based chain.

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that’s 22 restaurants across every cuisine and every budget. bangalore feeds you well whether you have rs 60 or rs 4000. the south indian foundation is world-class, the andhra influence adds spice, and the cosmopolitan layers add everything else.

for biryani-specific recommendations, check best biryani in bangalore. for street-level eating, read best street food in bangalore. for morning meals, here’s best brunch in bangalore. and for drinks after dinner, try best pubs in bangalore.

eat widely. eat honestly. don’t skip the rs 70 masala dosa for the rs 3000 fine dining meal - they’re both essential parts of understanding bangalore through its food.