What Food To Try in Bangalore and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Bangalore for 2024.
National currency: Ngultrum, symbol — ₹ (international currency code INR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Bangalore cafes and restaurants
$3.7
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $1.22
$18.3
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $12.2
$4.3
Combo Meal
Starting from $3.66
What to Try in Bangalore
Must-try Dishes
Idli - Steamed Rice Cakes - Soft and fluffy rice cakes made from fermented rice and lentil batter. Breakfast staple, typically served with coconut chutney and sambar, best enjoyed in the morning at local eateries.Vada Pav - Spicy Potato Burger - A mashed potato fritter, spiced and deep-fried, sandwiched in a bun with chutney. This popular street food is often consumed on the go, with a side of fried green chili, perfect for snacking on busy evenings.
Biryani - Spiced Rice Dish - Aromatic basmati rice cooked with marinated meat (usually chicken or mutton) and a blend of spices, then slow-cooked to enhance flavors. Locals typically have it for lunch or dinner, often sharing large pots during celebrations.
Chow Chow Bath - Savory and Sweet Rice Dish - A plate consisting of upma (savory semolina dish) and kesari (sweet semolina dessert) served together. Commonly enjoyed at breakfast, this unusual combination fascinates new diners but is a beloved item for locals.
Masala Dosa - Spiced Crepe - A thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, filled with spicy potato mash. Often enjoyed for breakfast or as a light lunch, many locals like to dip it in tangy sambar.
Seasonal Mixed Veg Curry - Special Thali Item - A hearty, colorful curry made from seasonal vegetables, cooked with spices and sometimes coconut. Typically served during monsoon season on special occasions, it's a must-try with hot rice or rotis.
Khara Pongal - Spiced Rice and Lentils - A savory dish made from rice and split yellow lentils, lightly spiced and seasoned with cumin and pepper. Traditionally consumed for breakfast, it’s comforting during chilly mornings and often ordered by families.
Ragi Mudde - Finger Millet Balls - Dense balls made from finger millet flour, served with a spicy lentil curry. A staple in rural areas, this dish is typically eaten at lunch, reminding many locals of their childhood meals.
Desserts & Drinks
Filter Coffee - ദ്രാക്ഷാ കാപ്പി (strong brewed coffee) - Bold, aromatic coffee made from a traditional stainless-steel filter, served with milk and sugar. Usually enjoyed in the morning or afternoon at local coffee houses, it's a beloved ritual among many Bangaloreans to sip while discussing daily life.Fresh Sugarcane Juice -క్కಾ చెట్టు రసం (sweet tropical juice) - Freshly pressed juice from stalks of sugarcane, usually served chilled with a squeeze of lime. Commonly found at street stalls, especially during the summer months, and it pairs perfectly with a spicy snack on the side.
Beer - ముక్కల (locally brewed beer) - Craft beers with local ingredients, showcasing a variety of flavors from light ales to rich stouts. Many locals enjoy them in the late afternoon at pubs, with the bustling atmosphere serving as a backdrop for unwinding after work. By the way, keep an eye out for brewery tours in the city!
Baklava - బాక్లావా (sweet pastry) - Layers of flaky pastry filled with nuts and soaked in syrup, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. Often savored during celebrations like festivals, it’s also a delightful dessert to share during family gatherings.
Ice Gola - 아이스 고라 (shaved ice dessert) - Fluffy shaved ice drizzled with vibrant syrups and topped with sweetened condensed milk or fruity flavors. This treat is especially popular during peak summer, and kids love to grab one from street vendors while playing nearby, making it a nostalgic memory for many locals.
Food and Groceries in Bangalore
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $0.6 |
| Bananas | $0.78 |
| Oranges | $1.11 |
| Potatoes | $0.4 |
| Apples | $2.45 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.36 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $2.02 |
| Imported Beer | $3.5 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $9.76 |
| Milk 1L | $0.62 |
Various Groceries
| Chicken | $3.84 |
| Cigarettes | $4.27 |
| Rice | $0.77 |
| Local Cheese | $6.87 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
The rhythm of Bangalore's dining scene flows against the usual patterns you might expect in cities like New York or London. Here, the real lunch rush kicks in around 1 PM, so if you’re looking to avoid the crowded restaurants, aim for a leisurely lunch at around 12:30 PM. Trust me, you'll get better service and a moment of tranquility before the clamor sets in.
Recently, I had lunch at a local eatery in Indiranagar, where I paid about ₹250 for a thali that could easily fill anyone up. This price point is pretty standard for a satisfying meal in the area, but you'll notice that dining in the bustling areas like Brigade Road can be slightly pricier—architect and vibe can sometimes inflate your bill to about ₹500 for a similar dining experience. That chaat stand you see in the corner? Just ₹50—perfect for a snack anytime.
There's a unique local habit I love, where group meals are shared across the table, making it more of a communal experience. You might see a whole group ordering a range of dishes, and they truly believe that sharing is caring—a concept that’s not just about the food but creates a lively atmosphere. Oh, and before I forget, when the bill arrives, it’s common to see folks just placing cash on the table instead of handing it directly to the server. It caught me by surprise at first, but it’s just an easy-flowing custom here.
Now, a common tourist mistake I’ve often seen is folks not tipping, thinking it’s not customary. A small tip of ₹20-₹50 at a casual place is generally appreciated and helps build a friendly rapport with the staff.
As the day winds down, you’ll find that dinner here doesn’t start until around 8 PM. Because many locals work late, those evening spots come alive after dark. It's a complete departure from the earlier mealtime energy. During this time, the pub culture really surfaces, particularly in areas like Koramangala, where the young crowd seeks late-night snacks or casual dining options.
With so many dynamic dining experiences, one tip I’d suggest is to always check if a reservation is needed, especially on weekends. Popular spots can see long wait times—don't be caught out standing in the line (this has happened to me far too often!).
In the coming months, as the weather cools down after the rains, food stalls will spring up all over. With that, you'll see more diners seeking the warmth of comforting local dishes like steaming hot biryani or spicy pakoras. It’s that time when the city's heart beats through its food culture, reflecting the character of its residents—ever-evolving but deeply rooted in tradition.
Recently, I had lunch at a local eatery in Indiranagar, where I paid about ₹250 for a thali that could easily fill anyone up. This price point is pretty standard for a satisfying meal in the area, but you'll notice that dining in the bustling areas like Brigade Road can be slightly pricier—architect and vibe can sometimes inflate your bill to about ₹500 for a similar dining experience. That chaat stand you see in the corner? Just ₹50—perfect for a snack anytime.
There's a unique local habit I love, where group meals are shared across the table, making it more of a communal experience. You might see a whole group ordering a range of dishes, and they truly believe that sharing is caring—a concept that’s not just about the food but creates a lively atmosphere. Oh, and before I forget, when the bill arrives, it’s common to see folks just placing cash on the table instead of handing it directly to the server. It caught me by surprise at first, but it’s just an easy-flowing custom here.
Now, a common tourist mistake I’ve often seen is folks not tipping, thinking it’s not customary. A small tip of ₹20-₹50 at a casual place is generally appreciated and helps build a friendly rapport with the staff.
As the day winds down, you’ll find that dinner here doesn’t start until around 8 PM. Because many locals work late, those evening spots come alive after dark. It's a complete departure from the earlier mealtime energy. During this time, the pub culture really surfaces, particularly in areas like Koramangala, where the young crowd seeks late-night snacks or casual dining options.
With so many dynamic dining experiences, one tip I’d suggest is to always check if a reservation is needed, especially on weekends. Popular spots can see long wait times—don't be caught out standing in the line (this has happened to me far too often!).
In the coming months, as the weather cools down after the rains, food stalls will spring up all over. With that, you'll see more diners seeking the warmth of comforting local dishes like steaming hot biryani or spicy pakoras. It’s that time when the city's heart beats through its food culture, reflecting the character of its residents—ever-evolving but deeply rooted in tradition.