India Guide
Karnataka
Eating
1 
Amaravati Residency Rd Cross, MG Rd Excellent, fiery Andhra cooking with thalis ("meals") served on banana leafs and specialities including biriyanis and fried fish. Hectic at lunchtime but well worth any wait.
2 Aromas of China G3–4 Shiva Shankar Plaza, 19 Lalbagh Rd, Richmond Circle Among the city's top Chinese restaurants, delicacies here include dim sum, duck and sharkfin soup, as well as above-average versions of all the favourites. Price: Main courses Rs150–300
3 Barista Base of Ivory Tower, MG Rd Pleasant, expansive terrace tucked behind a row of leafy plants. Along with fine coffees and teas, serves sandwiches, baked goods, and delicious slushies.
4 Casa del Sol – 3rd floor, Devatha Plaza, 131 Residency Rd Chef Bakshi is a whiz in the kitchen; the Rs200 lunch buffet is worth every paise; the Sun brunches are festive, all-you-can-drink affairs; and an evening cocktail on the cool, comfortable terrace is a real treat.
5 Coconut Grove Church St Mouthwatering and moderately priced gourmet Keralan, Chettinad and Coorg cuisine. Vegetarian, fish and meat preparations are served in traditional copper thalis on a leafy terrace, and a wide range of seafood dishes. Don't attempt the dressed crab without a Black-and-Decker.
6 Harbour Market 37 Crescent Rd, in Hotel 37th Crescent, off Race Course Rd 
080/41136262 Excellent selection of Goan, Keralan, and Mangalorean seafood along with pastas and Japanese selections in a smart, elegant space. The crunchy fried prawns are particularly special. Reservations recommended.
7 Indian Coffee House MG Rd This bare-bones Raj-era institution, with turbaned waiters serving tasty finger foods (Rs 20–70) and fine filtered coffee (Rs8), hasn't changed since Independence. The second floor is breezier and less hectic and the breakfasts – with perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs – are top-notch.
8 Infinitea Cunningham Rd From white to flower, from Oolong to Assam, they've got all kinds of teas (Rs60–90) here. Modern and mellow, Infinitea is popular with students, and is open all day, offering a variety of snacks and Asian dishes.
9 Kaati Zone Church St Fast, clean and cheap, with kaati rolls (Rs40–60) almost as good as those you get in Kolkata (Calcutta).
10 Koshy's St Mark's Rd at Church Spacious old-style café with cane blinds, pewter teapots and cotton-clad waiters. Ever-popular with the younger set, Bangalore's most congenial meeting-place has been whipping up tasty Indian specialities and refreshing draught beers for over eighty years.
11 Little Italy 1135 100 Feet Rd, Indiranagar 25289126 Whether on the bamboo-bordered terrace or the elegant dining room, you'll get fantastic Italian food here, particularly the risottos and tomato-based pasta dishes. There's also an extensive wine list.
12 Marvalli Tiffin Rooms Lalbagh Rd Top-notch south Indian food served cafeteria style in an aging, bare-bones canteen. Middle-aged waiters in white lunghis and striped shirts serve twelve-course set thali meals to hordes of locals at shared tables. Kudos for sticking it out to the menthol-cool, post-dessert paan.
13 Narthaki just off Subedar Chatram Rd The best restaurant in the station/bus stand area. Filling meals are served on the first floor, while on the second there is a restaurant-bar with a full menu of Indian and Chinese dishes. The chicken chilli is a belter.
14 Seashell 44/4 Residency Cross Rd, next to Amaravati Tasty Mangalorean seafood specialities are paired with north Indian fare in both the classy first-floor restaurant and the more relaxed and spacious bar above.
15 Sunny's 34 Vittal Mallya Rd 080/2224 3642 Bracingly fresh, well-prepared ingredients, tasty Western specialities like BBQ chicken and an elegant yet leafy and casual indoor/outdoor setting. This could be Los Angeles, and indeed it's popular with expats and fairly pricey.
16 Ullas Above cinema, MG Rd Superb pure-veg restaurant, with a terrace and indoor section. Excellent lunchtime thalis (Rs30–90) and a good choice of curries (around Rs50).
17 Woody's Commercial St Take a shopping break at this very popular cafeteria-style veg restaurant. Offers a huge, south Indian– dominated menu but better known for its sundaes, milkshakes and chocolates.