where to buy the best mysore pak in mysore?

guru sweet mart on sayyaji rao road makes the best mysore pak in mysore. their soft mysore pak (nana mysore pak) at rs 500-600 per kg is the benchmark - melt-in-mouth texture, fragrant ghee, perfectly balanced sweetness. for the hard variety, bombay tiffanys on sayyaji rao road is the best. locals buy from both depending on whether they want to eat immediately (soft, guru) or gift/travel with it (hard, bombay tiffanys).

what is the difference between soft and hard mysore pak?

soft mysore pak (nana mysore pak) melts in your mouth like fudge, has higher ghee content, and lasts only 2-3 days. hard mysore pak is crumbly and layered, has less ghee, and lasts 5-7 days. the soft variety is the traditional palace recipe and is harder to make because the timing of ghee addition must be precise. the hard variety is the commercial adaptation that travels better.

what is the origin of mysore pak?

mysore pak was invented in the royal kitchen of the mysore palace by a cook named kakasura madappa for maharaja krishnaraja wadiyar iv. the story goes that the maharaja asked for a new sweet, and madappa experimented with besan (gram flour), ghee, and sugar. when the maharaja asked what it was called, madappa said 'mysore paka' (paka meaning sweet preparation in kannada). the original recipe used only three ingredients in precise proportions.

how much does mysore pak cost in mysore?

mysore pak in mysore costs rs 400-700 per kg depending on quality and variety. guru sweet mart charges rs 500-600/kg for their benchmark soft version. bombay tiffanys charges rs 450-550/kg. budget options at devaraja market stalls start at rs 300-400/kg but the quality difference is noticeable. for gifting-quality mysore pak, expect to pay rs 500-600/kg.

can you carry mysore pak while travelling?

hard mysore pak travels well and lasts 5-7 days at room temperature. soft mysore pak is more delicate - it melts in heat and lasts only 2-3 days. for train or flight journeys, buy hard mysore pak from bombay tiffanys. pack it in the box they provide, keep it away from heat, and consume within a week. some shops also do vacuum-sealed packaging for longer shelf life.

best mysore pak in mysore (2026)

tldr: my top picks from 10 shops - guru sweet mart (best soft mysore pak, rs 500-600/kg, 9.5/10), bombay tiffanys (best hard mysore pak, rs 450-550/kg, 8.5/10), and mahalakshmi sweets (best value, rs 400-500/kg, 8/10). this guide covers the palace kitchen origin story, soft vs hard debate, and every shop worth visiting.

mysore pak is the only sweet in india that’s named after the city it was born in and still best eaten in that city.

you can buy mysore pak in bangalore, chennai, delhi, or any indian sweet shop anywhere in the world. but the version you get elsewhere is to the real thing what airport coffee is to a barista pour-over. the ingredients are technically the same - besan, ghee, sugar - but the result is fundamentally different. the mysore pak made in mysore, by shops that have been making it for generations, using specific techniques passed down through families, is a different food entirely.

i haven’t visited mysore yet. this guide is based on extensive research - local food blogs, google reviews, youtube food tours, sweet shop comparisons, and recommendations from karnataka locals who buy mysore pak regularly. the research was consistent: there is a clear hierarchy among mysore pak shops, and the difference between the best and the average is not subtle.

the palace kitchen origin story

mysore pak was invented in the royal kitchen of the mysore palace, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. the cook credited with its creation is kakasura madappa, who worked in the kitchen of maharaja krishnaraja wadiyar iv.

the story (which has multiple versions, as all good origin stories do) goes like this: the maharaja wanted a new sweet. madappa experimented with three ingredients he had in abundance - besan (gram flour), ghee (clarified butter), and sugar. he roasted the besan in ghee, prepared a sugar syrup, combined them at a specific temperature, and let the mixture set. the result was a rich, golden sweet unlike anything that existed.

when the maharaja asked what it was called, madappa (who hadn’t named it) said “mysore paka” - paka meaning sweet preparation or cooking in kannada. the name stuck. the recipe eventually leaked out of the palace kitchen and reached the sweet shops of mysore, where it’s been refined and commercialised ever since.

the key to understanding mysore pak is that it’s a three-ingredient sweet where the technique is everything. the besan must be roasted to exactly the right point - too little and it’s raw-tasting, too much and it’s bitter. the sugar syrup must reach a specific consistency. the ghee must be added in stages, at precise temperatures, and the stirring must be continuous and even. one wrong move and the batch is ruined.

this is why good mysore pak costs what it costs. the ghee quantity alone is staggering - a kg of quality mysore pak uses 300-400g of ghee. the skill required means only experienced halwais (sweet makers) can produce consistent results.

soft vs hard mysore pak: the full breakdown

feature	soft mysore pak (nana)	hard mysore pak
texture	melt-in-mouth, fudge-like, slightly grainy	crumbly, layered, breaks into flakes
ghee content	very high (350-400g per kg)	moderate (250-300g per kg)
colour	pale golden, slightly translucent	deeper golden, opaque
sweetness	restrained, ghee-forward	sweeter, besan-forward
shelf life	2-3 days at room temperature	5-7 days at room temperature
best for	eating immediately, same-day gifting	travel, gifting, keeping at home
difficulty	very hard to make (timing-critical)	moderately difficult
traditional status	the original palace recipe	the commercial adaptation
best shop	guru sweet mart	bombay tiffanys
price	rs 500-600/kg	rs 400-500/kg

the soft variety is the holy grail. when you put a piece of soft mysore pak on your tongue, it should dissolve almost immediately - not like cotton candy dissolving, but like butter melting. the ghee flavour should hit first, followed by the nutty roasted besan, followed by a gentle sweetness. the texture should be slightly grainy but not gritty.

the hard variety is more forgiving to make, easier to transport, and lasts longer. it’s not inferior - it’s a different experience. the crumbly layers break apart with a satisfying snap, and the besan flavour is more prominent. many people actually prefer it for daily snacking.

the awards (top picks)

best overall: guru sweet mart - the definitive soft mysore pak
best hard mysore pak: bombay tiffanys - crumbly perfection
best value: mahalakshmi sweets - 85% of guru’s quality at lower price
best for gifting: bombay tiffanys - good packaging, travels well
best traditional experience: guru sweet mart - buy and eat on the street
best variety of sweets: sri krishna sweets - mysore pak plus extensive range
best devaraja market option: market sweet stalls - budget mysore pak
best for bulk buying: mahalakshmi sweets - good prices for large quantities

the full list

#	shop	area	specialty	price per kg	rating
1	guru sweet mart	sayyaji rao road	soft mysore pak (nana)	rs 500-600	9.5/10
2	bombay tiffanys	sayyaji rao road	hard mysore pak	rs 450-550	8.5/10
3	mahalakshmi sweets	devaraja market area	both varieties	rs 400-500	8/10
4	sri krishna sweets	sayyaji rao road	soft mysore pak	rs 500-600	8/10
5	royal mysore pak (palace area stalls)	near mysore palace	tourist-targeted mysore pak	rs 500-700	7/10
6	devaraja market sweet stalls	devaraja market	budget mysore pak	rs 300-400	7/10
7	subramanya bakery	nazarbad	hard mysore pak	rs 400-500	7.5/10
8	mylari sweets	nazarbad	both varieties	rs 400-500	7.5/10
9	sri lakshmi sweets	gandhi square	both varieties	rs 400-500	7/10
10	chamundeshwari sweets	chamundi hill road	prasadam-style mysore pak	rs 350-450	7/10

the top tier

1. guru sweet mart

sayyaji rao road / soft mysore pak: rs 500-600/kg / 9.5/10

guru sweet mart is to mysore pak what vinayaka mylari is to dosa. this is the pilgrimage site. the benchmark. the shop that every other mysore pak is measured against.

the soft mysore pak here has a texture that’s almost impossible to describe without hyperbole, but i’ll try anyway: it melts. not slowly, like chocolate. instantly, like snowflakes on warm skin. the moment the piece hits your tongue, it begins dissolving into ghee and roasted besan, releasing a wave of flavour that’s simultaneously rich, nutty, sweet, and aromatic. the ghee is the star - fresh, fragrant, and used in quantities that would make a cardiologist weep.

the besan is roasted to a precise golden colour. the sugar is restrained - this is not a cloyingly sweet mysore pak. the overall effect is closer to a french financier (the almond cake) than to a typical indian sweet. it’s sophisticated in a way that most sweets aren’t.

the shop itself is modest - a counter on sayyaji rao road with a glass display case. the mysore pak is made in batches throughout the day, and the freshest stock is obviously the best. morning purchases get the overnight batch; afternoon purchases get the freshly made batch.

must-buy: soft mysore pak / nana mysore pak (rs 500-600/kg), kesari bath (rs 80-100/box), badam halwa (rs 500/kg)

the catch: the soft variety has a shelf life of only 2-3 days. buy it, eat it that day or the next. don’t try to carry it on a three-day train journey. around dussehra festival, the queues are enormous - buy early or buy a day before.

verdict: the best mysore pak in mysore and therefore the best mysore pak in the world. not debatable.

2. bombay tiffanys

sayyaji rao road / hard mysore pak: rs 450-550/kg / 8.5/10

bombay tiffanys is the hard mysore pak champion. where guru sweet mart perfected the soft, melt-in-mouth version, bombay tiffanys mastered the crumbly, layered, travel-friendly version.

their hard mysore pak breaks apart into thin layers when you snap a piece off. the texture is dry but not powdery - each layer has a slight crunch and then dissolves into roasted besan flavour. the ghee is present but not overwhelming. the besan is more prominent than in the soft version, giving it a nuttier, more robust flavour.

the shop has been on sayyaji rao road for decades, almost directly competing with guru sweet mart a few doors down. this proximity has bred excellence in both shops - they can’t afford to drop quality because the competitor is literally within sight.

bombay tiffanys also does good halwa (particularly the bread halwa and badam halwa), and their packaging is better than guru’s - more suitable for gifting and travel.

must-buy: hard mysore pak (rs 450-550/kg), bread halwa (rs 400/kg), badam halwa (rs 500/kg), mixed sweet box (rs 500-600/kg)

the catch: the hard variety, while excellent, doesn’t have the emotional impact of the soft. it’s the practical choice, not the transcendent one.

verdict: the best hard mysore pak in mysore. the right choice for gifting, travel, and daily snacking.

3. mahalakshmi sweets

devaraja market area / both varieties: rs 400-500/kg / 8/10

mahalakshmi sweets is the locals’ practical choice. the mysore pak here is 85% as good as guru sweet mart’s at a lower price. both the soft and hard varieties are well-made - proper ghee, good besan roasting, and consistent quality. the difference from guru is subtle: slightly less ghee, slightly less precise texture, slightly less aromatic.

for everyday consumption - the mysore pak you buy on a Tuesday because you want something sweet - mahalakshmi is the smart choice. for a special occasion or gifting, you go to guru. this is the distinction locals make.

the shop also has a broader sweet selection than guru: laddu, peda, jalebi, gulab jamun, and seasonal specials. it’s a complete sweet shop, not a single-product specialist.

must-buy: soft mysore pak (rs 400-500/kg), besan laddu (rs 350/kg), jalebi (rs 300/kg)

the catch: the quality is good but not transcendent. you won’t have a spiritual experience eating this mysore pak. you’ll have a very pleasant one.

verdict: the best value mysore pak in mysore. the smart choice for regular purchases.

the solid options

4. sri krishna sweets

sayyaji rao road / soft mysore pak: rs 500-600/kg / 8/10

sri krishna sweets makes a very good soft mysore pak that stands up well against guru sweet mart. the texture is close - properly melting, good ghee content, well-roasted besan. some locals actually prefer sri krishna’s version, claiming it has a slightly more nuanced besan flavour. the debate between guru and sri krishna is real and ongoing.

the shop also has an extensive range of south indian sweets - badam burfi, coconut burfi, and various halwas.

must-buy: soft mysore pak (rs 500-600/kg), badam burfi (rs 500/kg)

verdict: the genuine alternative to guru sweet mart. worth trying both and deciding for yourself.

5. royal mysore pak (palace area stalls)

near mysore palace / tourist mysore pak: rs 500-700/kg / 7/10

the stalls near the mysore palace sell mysore pak targeted at tourists. the packaging is elaborate - palace imagery, royal branding, gift boxes. the mysore pak itself is decent but not exceptional. the prices are inflated due to the tourist location.

must-buy: only if you need a last-minute souvenir and can’t get to sayyaji rao road.

the catch: tourist pricing. the same quality mysore pak costs 20-30% less at shops on sayyaji rao road.

verdict: convenient but overpriced. avoid if you can get to guru sweet mart.

6. devaraja market sweet stalls

devaraja market / budget mysore pak: rs 300-400/kg / 7/10

the sweet stalls inside devaraja market sell budget mysore pak. the quality varies - some stalls make fresh batches daily and it’s quite good; others sell day-old stock that’s dried out. the ghee content is lower than the premium shops, which means less flavour and a drier texture. but at rs 300-400 per kg, it’s the cheapest real mysore pak in mysore.

must-buy: taste before buying. ask for a sample. if the ghee flavour is present and the texture is right, buy.

verdict: budget option. variable quality but can be surprisingly good on a good day.

the neighbourhood shops

7. subramanya bakery - nazarbad

hard mysore pak: rs 400-500/kg / 7.5/10

neighbourhood bakery that makes good hard mysore pak. the crumble is proper, the besan is well-roasted. not a destination shop, but if you’re in nazarbad, it’s a solid option.

8. mylari sweets - nazarbad

both varieties: rs 400-500/kg / 7.5/10

associated with the mylari name (though not directly linked to vinayaka mylari restaurant). the mysore pak is competent - both soft and hard versions are above average. the shop benefits from the mylari brand recognition.

9. sri lakshmi sweets - gandhi square

both varieties: rs 400-500/kg / 7/10

standard sweet shop near gandhi square. the mysore pak is decent, the range of other sweets is good. a practical option if you’re in the gandhi square area.

10. chamundeshwari sweets - chamundi hill road

prasadam-style mysore pak: rs 350-450/kg / 7/10

this shop near the chamundi hill temple road makes a simpler, more traditional mysore pak - less elaborate than the sayyaji rao road shops, closer to the homemade/temple-offering style. the ghee is good, the technique is basic, and the result is honest. worth trying for the contrast with the more refined versions.

how to buy mysore pak: a practical guide

decision	recommendation
eating today	guru sweet mart, soft variety
gifting locally	guru sweet mart soft + bombay tiffanys hard (mix box)
carrying on train/flight	bombay tiffanys hard variety with their packaging
budget purchase	mahalakshmi sweets, either variety
buying for the first time	guru sweet mart soft - experience the best first
bulk purchase (wedding/event)	mahalakshmi sweets or sri krishna sweets
tourist souvenir	bombay tiffanys (good packaging, travels well)

the mysore pak tasting trail

stop	shop	variety	quantity	cost
1	guru sweet mart	soft (nana)	250g	rs 150
2	bombay tiffanys	hard	250g	rs 125
3	sri krishna sweets	soft	250g	rs 150
4	mahalakshmi sweets	both	250g each	rs 250

total: approximately rs 675 for 1.25 kg of mysore pak across four shops. enough to compare, contrast, and decide your favourite. and enough to take home.

common mistakes tourists make when buying mysore pak

buying at the railway station or bus stand. the quality is the lowest and the prices are the highest. always buy from sayyaji rao road shops.

buying only hard variety. the soft version is the real experience. yes, it doesn’t travel well. eat it on the spot. buy hard separately for travel.

not tasting before buying. most shops will give you a small sample. taste before committing to a kg.

buying from only one shop. guru sweet mart is the best, but the comparison between shops is half the fun. buy from two or three.

storing soft mysore pak in the fridge. refrigeration changes the texture. eat it at room temperature within 2-3 days.

more on rahul.biz

the best street food in mysore guide covers the complete devaraja market food walk. the best restaurants in mysore covers the full dining scene. the mysore food guide goes deeper into the city’s food culture and palace kitchen history.