For those who are from Kerala or love the food from Kerala, Onam is a festival as well as a great opportunity to indulge in the flavours of God’s Own Country. Celebrated for 10 days during the Chingam month according to the Malayalam calendar, Onam is a harvest festival which also highlights the return of King Mahabali to his beloved ancient kingdom. This year, Onam will be celebrated with its usual aplomb in Kerala and beyond during September 2024 to 16 September 2024.
For those living in Kerala, this time is the best not only because you will get to taste authentic Onam Sadhya or Onasadhya along with floral decorations called Pookalam and other cultural features like boat races, dance performances, etc. But for those living beyond Kerala, Malayali or not, how can Onam and its authentic flavours be experienced? Well, if you are celebrating Onam in Bangalore, you have plenty of brilliant options to choose from.
Video Credit: YouTube/Jinoos Kitchen
Bangalore, or Bengaluru as it is now known, is not just the capital of the state of Karnataka but also a city where many Malayali chefs and foodies have settled. Because this neighbouring state of Kerala’s is also home to similar flavours and cooking techniques, the chances of getting a true taste of Kerala in Bangalore are quite high—and there are a number of restaurants that prove this. Here are the best 10 places in Bangalore where you can get a true taste of Onasadhya during this Onam festival.
1. Limelight, Hotel Royal Orchid
Located in the plush Indiranagar area, this restaurant is offering a grand Onam Sadhya feast along with a glimpse into other Onam rituals like traditional Pookalam with flowers and dances like Thiruvathira and Kathalakali. The Onam Sadhya here will be prepared in the Nirapara tradition to symbolise prosperity and abundance, and will include an array of vegetarian dishes like Avial, Olan, Thoran, Pachadi and Payasam.
Date & Timings: 15th September 2024, 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Price: Rs 1399 (plus taxes) per Sadhya
Location: Hotel Royal Orchid Bangalore, No 1, Golf Avenue, HAL Old Airport Rd, adjoining KGA Golf Course, Domlur
2. JW Marriott Bengaluru
Served on banana leaves in the authentic Kerala style, the Onam Sadhya at JW Marriott Bengaluru is a sumptuous and rich affair. Available for four days, this Onasadhya feast will include incredible vegetarian delicacies like Avial, Koottu Curry, Red Rice, Varutharacha Samba, Prathamans, Upperi, Inji Puli, Moru Curry and much more in a buffet stylenwith live counters. With only 25 places on offer for each Sadhya meal, this is a selective event for sure.
Date & Timings: 5th to 15th September 2024, 12.30PM to 3PM
Price: Rs 1950-2950 per Sadhya
Location: 24/1, Vittal Mallya Rd, KG Halli, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar
3. Lush, Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel
Prepared especially by Executive Chef Somasundaram, the Onam Sadhya feast at Lush will feature an array of authentic vegetarian dishes from Kerala. The specially curated Onam Buffet Lunch spread here will include dishes like Upperi, Parippu, Ola, Kalan, Erissery, Thoran, Avial, Ela Ada and a lot more. Each bite of the feast here promises to transport you to God’s Own Country.
Date & Timings: 15th September 2024, 12.30PM to 3.30PM
Price: Rs 1400 per person
Location: 17 & 17, 1, Race Course Rd, Madhava Nagar, Gandhi Nagar
4. Kappa Chakka Kandhari
Crafted especially by celebrated Chef Regi Matthew, Kappa Chakka Kandhari’s Onasadhya feast will be available not only in Bangalore but also Chennai. The feast on offer here will not only include 26 specially crafted dishes but will also be served with detailed narratives on how an Onam Sadhya should be eaten. For those who want to order in, Kappa Chakka Kandhari is also offering a Onasadhya Feast In A Box option.
Date & Timings: 14th & 15th September 2024, 12.30PM to 3PM
Price: Rs 1390 per person; Rs 5750 for takeaway/dine at home
Location: St. John's Auditorium, Silver Jubilee Building Saint John’s Hospital, Internal Road, John Nagar, Koramangala
5. Restaurant Chef Pillai
One of the best Onam Sadhya feasts on offer at a standalone restaurant in Bangalore, Chef Pillai’s specially curated Onasadhya is available not only for dine-in customers but also those who want to order in. The feast menu starts with the traditional starters like Shakkaravaratti and Banana Chips and includes Mango Thairu, Vedakka Khichdi, Avial, Thiyal, Pulissery, and sweet dishes like Adapradaman and Payasam. The same menu is also available in Kochi, Goa and Doha.
Date & Timings: 15th September 2024, 11.30PM to 3:30 PM
Price: Rs 2100 (plus taxes) per person
Location: Restaurant Chef Pillai, Opp. Phoenix Mall, Whitefield
6. Moplah’s
Known for its delicious and authentic flavours specifically from the Malabar region of Kerala, Moplah’s promises to serve delicacies that you have never tasted before. Specially curated by Executive Chef Siju Krishnan, the Onasadhya feast here promises to offer Malabari food and a range of Payasams to finish the festive feast with. What’s more, you can taste the Onasadhya with both dine-in and takeaway options here.
Date & Timings: 15th Sepember 2024, 11AM to 4PM
Price: Rs 1499 per person for dine-in; Rs 2499 per person for takeaway
Location: 06, 1st Cross Rd, KHB Colony, 5th Block, Koramangala
7. Anju’s Café
This Bangalore gem started as a small café by a homechef and entrepreneur and now offers one of the most decadent and delicious Onasadhyas in the city. Loved by celebrities like Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, the Onam Sadhya here is loaded with authentic flavours from Kerala while being one of the most pocket-friendly Sadhyas in town. Anju’s Café is the place to be if you are a student or young professional looking for a great Sadhya meal.
Date & Timings: 22nd Sepember 2024 12:45 PM to 2:30 PM
Price: Rs 1300 (plus taxes) per person
Location: 138/2, Phase 2, R K Colony, 2nd Phase, J. P. Nagar
8. The Paul, Bangalore
The Onam Ela Sadhya at The Paul Bangalore is one of the best in the city, especially if you also want to enjoy other aspects of Onam festivities like Pookalam. The array of vegetarian dishes on offer here include Avial, Thoran, Upperi, Erissery and many other authentic dishes from Kerala. The Sadhya on offer here can be relished by both dine-in and takeaway customers, and you also get the option to only order the Payasams if you so like.
Date & Timings: 14th & 15th September 2024, 12PM onwards
Price: Rs 1749 (plus taxes) per person
Location: 39/28, 13th Cross Rd, off Intermediate Ring Road, opposite Embassy Golf Links, Krishna Reddy Layout, Amarjyoti Layout, Challaghatta
9. Salt Mango Tree Restaurant
A lavish Onam Sadhya feast of 25 dishes is on offer at this stunning Bangalore restaurant, all reflecting the true flavours of Kerala. The Sadhya here will include delicious and traditional dishes ranging from Upperi and Thoran to Payasams, and the feast will be available for both dine-in and takeaway options. The Sadhya here is simply too delicious to not try out, and will be available for a long duration of time too.
Date & Timings: 9th to 17th September,2024, 12PM to 4PM
Price: Rs 1450 (plus taxes) per person
Location: 971, 5th Cross, 12th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar
10. Jamavar, The Leela Palace
The Onam Sadhya spread at The Leela Palace's opulent Jamavar restaurant is loaded with authentic flavours from Kerala. With dishes ranging from Kootu Curry, Avial and Olan to sweet treats like Ada Pradhaman, this feast is a must-have on the occasion of Onam. The Sadhya here not only captures the essence of Kerala cuisine but also offers an immersive exprience.
Date & Timings: 15th September 2024, 11.30AM to 3.30PM
Price: Rs 2500 (plus taxes) per person
Location: Jamavar, The Leela Palace Bengaluru