An insider’s guide to Bangalore India

EAT

Vidyarthi Bhavan in Basavanagudi offers the traditional South Indian vegetarian breakfast staples of masala dosa and vada. While in Bangalore, do be adventurous and savour the taste of rava idlis, made with semolina instead of rice, at Mavalli Tiffin Rooms. On Sundays, I like to frequent Koshy’s for its Kerala-style appam and mutton stew. I would also recommend trying wagashi at Japan Travel Cafe Azuki, as it’s the only place in India that makes these traditional Japanese sweets.

DRINK

Bangalore is known for its microbreweries. The Biere Club at Lavelle Road was the city’s first craft brewery and offers a one-for-one promotion every Monday and Tuesday on beer and cocktails. I also recommend Toit, a frequent haunt for locals and tourists alike – just be prepared to wait for a seat! For something a little different, you can try cracking thematically designed puzzles at Puzzled Pint Bangalore.

EXPLORE

In the heart of the Garden City of India lies Cubbon Park. It’s where I like to go and relax and listen to the rattles and creeks of the bamboo forest. The State Central Library in the middle of Cubbon Park will provide you hours of interesting reading, and nearby are the Vidhana Soudha (state legislature) and the Karnataka High Court. Also not to be missed is the National Gallery of Modern Art, which houses a wide range of art, including works by Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore.

SHOP

Chickpet is Bangalore’s oldest commercial area and its labyrinth of stores offers something for every shopper, from antiques to Mysore saris to silver. Set aside an hour or two to spend at Blossom Book House on Church Street, where you can discover second-hand books, then walk over to Lalu Dass Shoe Maker for shoes.

TIPS

The city’s metro transit network is relatively new and additional routes are being built, making it one of the quicker ways to travel. If you prefer to get around by car, it’s easy to book a ride through the Ola or Uber apps.

llustration by Sajid Muhammad