what is the best restaurant in mysore?

vinayaka mylari near devaraja market is the best restaurant in mysore for the legendary mylari dosa - a small, buttery, crispy dosa served with coconut chutney that has a cult following. rs 150 for two. for non-veg, hotel rrr near city bus stand is the institutional favourite at rs 400 for two.

what food is mysore famous for?

mysore is famous for mysore pak (the sweet invented here at the royal palace), mylari dosa (butter-crispy dosa from vinayaka mylari), mysore masala dosa (spicier chutney version), filter coffee, and devaraja market food walk. the city has a distinct food identity separate from bangalore, more traditional and palace-city refined.

where to eat mysore pak in mysore?

guru sweet mart near devaraja market makes the most authentic mysore pak - the soft, melt-in-mouth variety. rs 400-600 per kg. mysore pak was invented in the mysore palace kitchen for the maharaja, and the traditional recipe uses besan (gram flour), ghee, and sugar in precise proportions. the soft variety (nana mysore pak) is harder to make than the hard variety.

vinayaka mylari near devaraja market serves the best dosa in mysore and arguably one of the best dosas in india. the mylari dosa is small, thick, buttery, and crispy, served with a distinctive coconut chutney. it's been a mysore institution for decades. rs 30-40 per dosa.

best restaurants in mysore (2026)

Q: best non-veg restaurant in mysore?

hotel rrr is the undisputed non-veg king of mysore. the biryani, chicken kebab, and mutton curry are legendary. rs 400 for two. oyster bay is the upscale option for seafood and continental non-veg at rs 1000 for two.

tldr: my top picks from 15 restaurants - vinayaka mylari (the legendary mylari dosa, rs 150 for two), hotel rrr (best non-veg, biryani institution, rs 400 for two), and oyster bay (best fine dining, rs 1000 for two). mysore’s food is about tradition, not innovation - and that’s what makes it excellent.

mysore (mysuru) is a city that knows what it is and doesn’t try to be something else. this is the city of palaces, and the food carries that same sense of heritage and pride. where bangalore has raced toward craft beer bars and fusion restaurants, mysore has quietly continued perfecting the dosa, the idli, the mysore pak, and the filter coffee. and doing them better than bangalore in many cases.

i haven’t visited mysore yet. this guide is based on extensive research - local food blogs, google reviews, youtube food tours, and recommendations from karnataka residents who know both mysore and bangalore. the consistent message: mysore’s food scene is smaller and less flashy than bangalore’s, but the best food here is as good as anything in karnataka.

the city’s food identity revolves around a few key pillars: the mylari dosa tradition, hotel rrr’s non-veg dominance, the mysore pak sweet, devaraja market as a food destination, and filter coffee that’s perfectly brewed. master these five and you’ve understood mysore’s food.

the awards (top picks)

best overall: vinayaka mylari - the dosa that makes people drive from bangalore
best non-veg: hotel rrr - the institutional legend
best fine dining: oyster bay - mysore’s most sophisticated restaurant
best sweet: guru sweet mart - authentic mysore pak
best coffee: vinayaka mylari / penguin cafe - proper filter coffee
best vegetarian thali: hotel rrr (veg section) / mahesh prasad - traditional meals
best modern dining: depth n green - the new generation
best rooftop: the old house - heritage building vibes
best for families: spring restaurant - clean, reliable, spacious
best pub: pelican pub - mysore’s evening scene

the full list

#	restaurant	area	cuisine	cost for two	rating
1	vinayaka mylari	nazarbad (near devaraja market)	dosa / south indian	rs 150	9.5/10
2	hotel rrr	dhanvantri road	non-veg / biryani	rs 400	9/10
3	oyster bay	sri harsha road	seafood / continental	rs 1000	8.5/10
4	guru sweet mart	sayyaji rao road	sweets / mysore pak	rs 200	9/10
5	depth n green	gokulam	cafe / healthy / multicuisine	rs 600	8/10
6	the old house	vani vilas road	multicuisine / rooftop	rs 700	8/10
7	spring restaurant	nazarbad	multicuisine / family	rs 500	7.5/10
8	pelican pub	gokulam	pub / bar food	rs 800	7.5/10
9	mahesh prasad	devaraja market area	south indian veg meals	rs 200	8/10
10	parkview hotel	harsha road	south indian / meals	rs 250	7.5/10
11	penguin cafe	sri harsha road	filter coffee / tiffin	rs 150	8/10
12	malgudi garden restaurant	nazarbad	multicuisine / themed	rs 600	7/10
13	hotel hanumanthu	nazarbad	non-veg / biryani	rs 350	7.5/10
14	indra cafe	sayyaji rao road	south indian tiffin	rs 150	7.5/10
15	kabab magic	gokulam	kebabs / tandoori	rs 400	7/10

the legends

1. vinayaka mylari

nazarbad (near devaraja market) / cost for two: rs 150 / 9.5/10

vinayaka mylari is not just the best restaurant in mysore. it’s the reason people from bangalore drive 140 km on a weekend morning. the mylari dosa is a phenomenon.

the dosa itself is different from what you’d expect. it’s not the large, thin, paper dosa you get at udipi restaurants. the mylari dosa is small (about 6-7 inches), relatively thick, and cooked with generous amounts of butter. the outside is crispy and golden, the inside is slightly soft, and the whole thing glistens with butter. it comes with a coconut chutney that’s perfectly balanced - not too sweet, not too spicy, slightly coarse-ground.

the restaurant has been making this specific dosa for decades, using the same recipe, the same technique, the same griddle approach. the batter is fermented overnight, the butter is fresh, and the cooking temperature is precise. the result is consistent perfection - every dosa that comes out is virtually identical to the last one.

reviewers use words like “life-changing,” “the best dosa in india,” and “worth any queue.” the queue, by the way, can be 30-60 minutes on weekend mornings. people wait. because the dosa is worth it.

must-order: mylari dosa (rs 30-40), with extra butter if you dare, filter coffee (rs 20-30)

the catch: the restaurant opens early and closes early (typically by 12-1 pm). weekday mornings have shorter waits. the menu is essentially just the dosa - there are a few other items but nobody orders them. the seating is basic.

verdict: the best dosa in mysore and possibly in karnataka. the single strongest reason to visit mysore for food.

2. hotel rrr

dhanvantri road / cost for two: rs 400 / 9/10

hotel rrr is the non-veg institution of mysore. the biryani here has been served the same way for decades - fragrant rice, tender meat, subtle spicing that’s distinctly mysore (less aggressive than hyderabadi, more aromatic than chettinad). the chicken kebab is smoky and well-marinated. the mutton curry is rich and properly slow-cooked.

but what makes hotel rrr special is the devotion of its regulars. this is a restaurant where three generations of the same family eat. the staff knows the regulars by name. the recipes haven’t changed because the customers won’t let them change. it’s the kind of place where food, memory, and identity are intertwined.

the restaurant also has a vegetarian section that serves excellent south indian meals - unlimited rice, sambar, rasam, vegetables, curd, and payasam.

must-order: chicken biryani (rs 180-200), mutton curry (rs 200-220), chicken kebab (rs 150), rice bath (rs 80-100)

the catch: always crowded during lunch. the dining area is not fancy - functional tables, bright lights, fast turnover. they want you to eat and leave so the next person can sit. this is not a lingering restaurant.

verdict: the best non-veg restaurant in mysore. the biryani and kebabs have achieved legendary status for good reason.

fine dining and modern

3. oyster bay

sri harsha road / cost for two: rs 1000 / 8.5/10

oyster bay is mysore’s most upscale restaurant. the seafood is the star - fresh, well-prepared, and served in an environment that’s genuinely elegant. the grilled fish, prawn curry, and crab preparations are consistently praised. the continental menu (steaks, pasta) is also well-executed.

the interiors are sophisticated without being stuffy. the service is attentive. it’s the restaurant where mysore celebrates special occasions - anniversaries, promotions, visiting relatives you want to impress. the wine list is limited but adequate.

must-order: grilled fish (rs 350-400), prawn curry (rs 300), crab pepper fry (rs 350)

the catch: expensive by mysore standards. reservations recommended for dinner, especially weekends. the location on sri harsha road means parking can be tricky during peak hours.

verdict: the best fine dining in mysore. genuine quality across food, service, and ambience.

4. depth n green

gokulam / cost for two: rs 600 / 8/10

depth n green represents the newer generation of mysore restaurants. the concept is health-conscious dining with a modern aesthetic. the menu includes salads, smoothie bowls, grain bowls, and lighter fare alongside traditional south indian items. the interiors are instagram-friendly with plants, natural light, and clean design.

the food is actually good - not just styled for photos. the smoothie bowls use real fruit, the salads have proper dressings, and the south indian items maintain authenticity while being presented differently.

must-order: smoothie bowl (rs 200-250), grain bowl (rs 250-300), filter coffee (rs 80-100)

the catch: the healthy-eating concept might feel out of place in a city known for butter-drenched dosas and ghee-heavy mysore pak. the prices are higher than traditional restaurants.

verdict: mysore’s best modern dining concept. good for when you want something lighter after days of south indian indulgence.

5. the old house

vani vilas road / cost for two: rs 700 / 8/10

the old house operates from a heritage building, and the setting is the star. the rooftop seating has views of the city, and the ground floor has an old-world charm with exposed brick and vintage furniture. the food is multicuisine - indian, continental, and cafe items. the quality is consistent if not spectacular.

must-order: wood-fired pizza (rs 250-300), paneer tikka (rs 200), cold coffee (rs 120)

verdict: best atmosphere in mysore. the heritage building and rooftop make every meal feel special.

traditional and budget

6. guru sweet mart

sayyaji rao road / cost for two: rs 200 / 9/10

guru sweet mart is where you buy the real mysore pak. the sweet was literally invented in mysore - created in the palace kitchen for the maharaja of mysore. guru sweet mart makes the traditional soft version (nana mysore pak) that melts the moment it touches your tongue. the texture is grainy, the ghee is fragrant, and the sweetness is restrained.

the difference between good mysore pak and bad mysore pak is the ghee-to-besan ratio and the cooking temperature. the cheap versions are oily and grainy in the wrong way. guru sweet mart’s version is the benchmark.

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

verdict: the mysore pak pilgrimage. buy a kg, eat some immediately, take the rest home.

7. mahesh prasad

devaraja market area / cost for two: rs 200 / 8/10

a traditional south indian vegetarian restaurant near devaraja market. the meals (thali) here are the old-school mysore way - rice, sambar, rasam, multiple vegetable dishes, pickle, papad, curd, and a sweet. unlimited refills. the sambar is thick and flavourful, the rasam is properly peppered, and the vegetable preparations change daily.

must-order: unlimited meals (rs 100-120), masala dosa (rs 50-60), idli-vada (rs 40-50)

verdict: the best traditional veg meals in mysore. the thali is a masterclass in south indian home cooking.

8. penguin cafe

sri harsha road / cost for two: rs 150 / 8/10

penguin cafe is a small, old-school south indian tiffin restaurant that’s been serving mysore for decades. the filter coffee here is consistently mentioned as among the best in the city. the dosas are crispy and well-fermented, the idli is soft, and the vada is crunchy. it’s the kind of place where the simplicity is the point.

must-order: filter coffee (rs 20-30), set dosa (rs 40-50), rava idli (rs 40-50)

verdict: the best filter coffee in mysore. come for the coffee, stay for the dosa.

the rest

9. spring restaurant - nazarbad

cost for two: rs 500 / 7.5/10

family restaurant with a broad multicuisine menu. clean, spacious, and reliable. the paneer dishes and the biryani are the safe orders. good for families who want a comfortable dinner without surprises.

10. parkview hotel - harsha road

cost for two: rs 250 / 7.5/10

old-school south indian restaurant. the meals are good, the tiffin items are reliable, and the prices are honest. a solid everyday option.

11. malgudi garden restaurant - nazarbad

cost for two: rs 600 / 7/10

themed restaurant inspired by r.k. narayan’s malgudi (narayan lived in mysore). the theming is charming, the food is average multicuisine. come for the nostalgia and the setting.

12. hotel hanumanthu - nazarbad

cost for two: rs 350 / 7.5/10

the other non-veg contender after hotel rrr. the biryani is good (not as good as rrr), the chicken fry is solid, and the prices are fair. a good backup when rrr is too crowded.

13. pelican pub - gokulam

cost for two: rs 800 / 7.5/10

mysore’s most popular pub. the beer selection is decent, the bar snacks are good, and the atmosphere is lively on weekend evenings. the food is pub-standard - burgers, fries, tandoori starters.

14. indra cafe - sayyaji rao road

cost for two: rs 150 / 7.5/10

another old-school tiffin spot. the masala dosa and coffee are the draws. small, quick, and cheap. part of mysore’s network of traditional south indian breakfast spots.

15. kabab magic - gokulam

cost for two: rs 400 / 7/10

kebab and tandoori restaurant. the seekh kebabs and chicken tikka are well-spiced. a reasonable option when you want tandoori food in a city that’s predominantly south indian.

the mysore food trail

the ideal one-day eating trail in mysore:

time	what	where	cost
7 am	mylari dosa + filter coffee	vinayaka mylari	rs 80
10 am	mysore pak + kesari bath	guru sweet mart	rs 100
11 am	devaraja market walk	devaraja market	rs 50-100 (snacks)
1 pm	biryani + kebab lunch	hotel rrr	rs 200
4 pm	filter coffee + set dosa	penguin cafe	rs 80
7 pm	dinner + rooftop	the old house	rs 350

total: approximately rs 860-910. a full day of eating at mysore’s best for under rs 1000.

more on rahul.biz

the mysore food guide covers the deeper food culture - mysore pak origins, the dosa tradition, devaraja market, and what makes mysore’s food identity distinct from bangalore. mysore features in the best food cities in india ranking, and the karnataka food tradition is covered in the regional cuisines of india guide.