Bengaluru is known for its thriving food scene, from restaurants serving some of the best dosas and idli to even Indian-Chinese food. Be it snacky street food or heavier main dishes, the city has a lot to offer both locals and visitors. From soft idli bathed in sambar to spicy rice, we recommend eight dishes you must try if you’re in Bengaluru:
Bisi bele bhath
It is believed that bisi bele bhath originated in the Mysore Palace and then spread across Karnataka. Bisi bele bhath is a spicy rice dish that also uses dal, vegetables and ghee. It is best enjoyed hot, served with boondi or papad. The dish is available across Bengaluru at most restaurants that serve South Indian food.
Bun nippat
Bun nippat is made up of a crisp ‘nippat’ or rice patty and an onion-carrot salad with spices and peanuts stuffed inside a bun. It is typical Bengaluru-style street food, which goes well with a tall glass of masala Coke. Stalls selling the dish can be found near most popular colleges in Bengaluru.
Idli dipped in sambar
Idli may otherwise be considered a regular dish to eat when in Bengaluru, but idli dipped in sambar is a signature. A deep bowl full of sambar is served with hot, fluffy idlis swimming in it, making a comforting and healthy meal. The dish can be found at most restaurants that serve idli, vada and dosa.
Benne dosa
In Kannada, ‘benne’ means butter. Sri Guru Kottureshwara Davangere Benne Dosa in Basavanagudi serves its namesake, benne dosa, which is essentially dosa slathered with butter. At ₹50, it’s a bargain that will satiate you without being heavy on the pocket. The place also serves paddu and thatte idli.
Tender coconut chicken kebab
Think spicy chicken kebabs served in tender coconut shells. Ujwal Restaurant in Vasanth Nagar is known for making and selling the unusual dish. Besides tender coconut chicken kebab, Ujwal also serves great biryani and other signature dishes like pot chicken curry, kasthuri chicken dry and tender prawns.
Mutton leg biryani
Also known as laham mandi, the mutton leg biryani at Ta’aam on Cunningham Road is very popular. It can be found under the ‘Arabian dishes’ section on the menu, which also includes an extensive list of Indian-Chinese food. The dish also comes in a variation called pepper laham mandi, made with pepper masala.
Appam and mutton stew
Koshy’s on St. Mark’s Road is known for serving appam and mutton stew as a ‘Kerala special’ on Sundays. Visit for a hearty breakfast (the dish is only available for breakfast on Sunday) and choose from plain or egg appam. There’s also an option for vegetable stew, but the mutton stew remains the star of the show.
Gobi manchurian
Gobi manchurian may not have originated in Bengaluru, but most restaurants with an Indian-Chinese section on their menu (like RS Shiv Sagar) proudly serve it. Originating from the kitchens of Kolkata’s China Towns, the spicy, greasy snack is the ideal comfort food, especially on a rainy day.