When one thinks of South Indian food, unfortunately the first thought that flashes into most people’s minds is the classic idli and dosa. While undeniably delicious, there’s so much more to the food scene that I personally had the pleasure of experiencing during my brief trip to Bangalore this summer. Borrowing from my brother’s extensive list of restaurants, read further to find six spots you must visit in Bangalore, some classics and some niche…

Guerilla’s Diner

A family-run, ghetto diner-style burger shop, Guerilla’s Diner is one of those corner food shops only a local would be able to guide you to. It’s reservation-only, with bookings opening every Tuesday at 8pm – only 12 people allowed at a time in each 45-minute slot. Arguably one of the best smash-burgers I’ve had, this diner doesn’t have the most extensive menu but it does what it does incredibly well. Some items that stand out from the menu are the Lamb Birria Tacos and the Oklahoma Smashed Onion Burger. Paired with an old-school bottled Coke, this makes for an incredibly indulgent meal.

Bob’s Bar

Started only eight years ago, Bob’s bar was started as an homage to all the old Bangalore vibes most locals mourn and yearn for. The décor and menu mirrors this, filling you with nostalgia and insanely delicious food. A must-have in this place is Lobo’s Pork Chilli Bafat – the fatty cuts of pork pair insanely well with the spicy, oily sauce. Along with this, any of their ghee roasts must be had with their Akki Roti – a plain rice-based roti to soothe some of the spice. They do also have a short but wonderful collection of cocktails and mocktails.

Ulo

A small, artisanal ice-cream parlour in the corners of Bangalore, Ulo serves incredibly good ice cream for incredibly cheap. They make their own ice cream in-house, thus serving everything fresh. Additionally, they allow you to explore! With the option of tasting unlimited flavours, you’re also able to mix and match your scoops, catering too all those that fold under the pressure to choose just one. While many run to the popular, overpriced ice-cream shops, Ulo is a beloved gem that remains kind to your wallet.

LICK

A striking, very-instagramable aesthetic, Lavonne Ice cream Kitchen (LICK) famous for its inventive, quirky flavours. It’s many locals’ go-to, late-night dessert spot and is a frequenter on many Instagram stories. However, I personally would vouch for their ‘bookies’, i.e., really thick and rich cookies. They serve it warm and gooey, and it marries perfectly with their ice creams. The ideal dessert after a filling dinner at Guerilla’s Diner?

154 Breakfast Club

Known for their absolute tome of a menu, 154 Breakfast club is bound to have something to your liking. It’s is a welcoming, contemporary breakfast spot in Bengaluru, the kind of place that makes getting out of bed feel like a worthwhile decision, serving up an easy-going spread of café classics. The waffles are a particular favourite—and, in my opinion, reason enough to pay them a visit.

No. 10 Fort Cochin

Fort Cochin 10 is the kind of restaurant that makes a strong case for arriving hungry, with a menu built around bold flavours, generous portions and plenty of spice. There’s something wonderfully unfussy about the food—familiar, hearty and made for sharing, preferably with an extra helping of whatever catches your eye. My must-orders are the prawn ghee roast, mutton pepper fry and Kerala porotta. Eating here definitely changed my mind on the stereotypical South India = Dosa equation.

 Toit

Toit has mastered the art of making a night out feel effortless: good beer, generous food and an atmosphere that’s rarely short on energy.
The menu covers all the pub favourites you’d expect, but the calamari deserve particular attention—crispy, moreish and dangerously easy to finish. Pair it with a cold pint and you have a fairly convincing argument for staying longer than planned. It also is renowned for never serving flat, poorly poured beer – a mistake many bars and brewery succumb to on busy Saturday nights. Come for the beer, stay for the calamari, and blame neither when “just one” turns into dinner.

Bengaluru has no shortage of places to eat, but the best meals are often the ones that leave you already planning your next visit. From leisurely breakfasts and crisp waffles to fiery mutton, buttery porotta and late-night calamari, these are a few personal favourites worth adding to your Bengaluru food list.