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Military quarters in Bangalore, India
Photo: Charles Haynes, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
East Central Bengaluru covers the Mahatma Gandhi Road, Brigade Grounds and Ulsoor areas of the British-built Cantonment. It is a popular spot for shopping and dining in Bengaluru.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A government museum dedicated to Bengaluru's founder Kempe Gowda. It is housed in the Mayo Hall, which was built in memory of Lord Mayo, the 4th Viceroy of India. This two-storey building is known for its ornate furniture and architecture. It is adorned by chandeliers, Greek cornices, Tuscan columns, stone arches, wooden floors and beautiful furnishings. The building itself offers a panoramic view of the city's Parade Grounds and Ulsoor Lake on one side, and the Bangalore Race Course and Brigade Grounds on the south.
A Wesleyan church built in 1865.
A major landmark of Central Bengaluru. It was built in 1851, for the British Regiment stationed in Bengaluru. Built-in the English Renaissance style, the church can accommodate 700 people and is regarded as the largest military church in southern India. It has a congregation of over 450 families.
Built in 1971 to commemorate the historic Infant Jesus of Prague, the church became increasingly popular due to various miracles attributed to the shrine.
A Presbyterian church, consecrated in memory of Mary Elizabeth McGoun, wife of Col. Thomas McGoun of the 6th Madras Native Infantry. It is an example of Gothic architecture in the city, with a steeping roof of Mangalore tiles, a row of decorative ridge-tiles on the top, turreted parapets and gables, iron crested towers, intricately done plaster motifs, railings of cast iron, and pilasters and pavilions rising from the wing.
The cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangalore.
The fourth oldest Protestant church in the city, with a distinct red edifice and towering steeple, rising out of the leafy surroundings. There's a memorial in front of the church for its members who lost their lives in service of 'King and Empire', in World War I.
The sole cathedral of Bengaluru is dedicated to Saint Mark the Evangelist. It is famous for its English Baroque architecture inspired by London's St Paul's Cathedral. The entrance has elaborate woodwork with ornate carvings. The bell is the amongst the most well-maintained church bells in India. The stained glasswork adds to the beauty of the cathedral.
The oldest church in Bengaluru, and the only church in the state which has been elevated to the status of a minor basilica. It is famous for the festivities held during the St. Mary's Feast in the month of September each year, an event that attracts devotees from in and around Bengaluru. The basilica is built in Gothic style with arches, ornamental motifs and stained glass windows. Multiple columns and tall spires of the basilica can be seen from quite a distance. The stained glass windows were removed during World War II and were subsequently restored in 1947.
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the oldest temples of the city. The inner sanctum sanctorum is said to have been built in the 8th century by the Cholas, who ruled this place, the outer Praharam during the Hoysalas of the 11th century, while the front hall construction and the Gopuram during the Vijayanagar Empire of the 15th century. The structure resembles the various changes the temple has gone through during the period, with major additions and renovations done to preserve the temple.
A 750 m pedestrianised street from Brigade Road to St. Mark's Road, running parallel to MG Road. The street is paved from granite cobblestones, which were laid in a Kasuti pattern to reflect Karnataka's cultural heritage. It is a major shopping and nightlife area, and a popular spot for celebrating New Year's Eve.
With a capacity of 40,000, this is the home of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which has a large and loud following. The IPL season typically is from March to May every year, matches are played in the evenings and last around 3 hours. Scour the daily newspapers for ticket information - tickets sell out a week before.
Halasuru lake
One of the biggest lakes in Bengaluru, with several islands. There's a watch tower with a Chinese bell on the lake.
Run by an expat Brit. Offers a variety of massages, scrubs, and facials.
If you have the penchant for spice this place is meant for you.
For seafood, serves excellent dishes.
Mangalorean, Coorgi, and Malabari style.
Small restaurant but great food at reasonable prices.
A renovation of the vintage RRs, the fun doubles here with the double storeyed restaurant, one serving Andhra and the other Hyderabadi cuisines. There's also alcohol, all the more reason to indulge on a Saturday afternoon.
Pure vegetarian food in Tamil style.
They make fantastic fish dishes. Neer Dosa with Chicken Pulimunchi, kori roti and chicken ghee roast are some things you really cannot miss.
The food is good (albeit slightly oily). It basically serves paranthas (with lots of butter), chaach, kheer and a number of side dishes (most notable being their shahi paneer and rajma). You may have to wait for a while in case it is full. So it's better to go slightly early, noon for lunch and 7:30PM for dinner to avoid rush).
Appams and Kerala parottas with a chicken sauce dish. Their lunch offer for ₹80 is also really good. A pretty good choice for reasonably priced quality seafood. Coco-Grove the outdoor 'beer cafe' extension is also worth a look.
One of the joints for getting sheekh (beef) rolls in Bengaluru. They come in various sizes- sheekh roll, sheekh jumbo, sheekh mambo, sheekh rambo and sheekh sambo- the latter of which is almost 2 in thick. There are other options like chicken, mutton and paneer rolls as well as kababs and shawarma. ₹30-100 per head.
Other locations on Centre Street and Koramangala
Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cuisine until late night. Try the butter chicken, chicken kababs and parathas. Both the non-vegetarian and vegetarian food are good here and well priced.
Bengali sweets.
Serves very reasonably priced Kerala Muslim style food.
Excellent ice creams, club sandwiches and burgers.
New age chain from the folks who run Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) on Lalbagh Road.
Indian and continental food. Classic environment. The ambience is good, though the food is a tad expensive. Parking is a problem.
Open air, multi-cuisine North-Indian food. Cooking techniques date back to the independence era offering the unique taste. Great outdoor ambiance in the middle of the central business district. ₹125-750
Stylish eatery with excellent evening views of the city. Service is a bit slow, but the ambiance makes it worth the wait. Book ahead for a terrace seat. ₹200-400
Multi-cuisine, The menu, as the name suggests, is all based on the indispensable egg. It's also modelled on a factory with functional chairs and a menu that looks like an instruction manual. Its open for all day dining. Egg dishes from all over the world, including omelettes, scrambles, French toast, curries, sub's, pasta & desserts. Don't miss the fantastic huevos rancheros here, they make it as good as in Mexico. Innovative drinks, try the Chlorophyll Fix, it looks and sounds weird, but tastes like heaven. Highly relaxed service.
A Bengaluru institution, serving a smattering of Western favorites (like fish and chips) along with the usual South Indian fare in a bohemian-for-India atmosphere. On weekends, they serve up greasy Western-style breakfast, including omelettes and Bombay (i.e, French) Toast. Appam and stew is their Sunday breakfast special and a must eat. Turn right at the entrance for the more expensive (and decidedly less charming) A/C room. ₹50-200. Smoky, with sluggish service, and not particularly clean Koshy's still has plenty of character and history but its getting harder to justify their skyrocketing prices.
Upscale Chinese food. Good, fairly authentic food and excellent service. Serves a decent lunch buffet. Also new outlet on 100ft Road, Indiranagar. ₹500-800.
Part of a chain of restaurants across the country, and the best Bengali food available in the city albeit pricier than the other options.
A great place for Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet. ₹200-400 per head.
Richies
Serves the kind of biryani that is the Bengaluru original. It is midway on MM Rd, and hard to miss because of the crowds that throng its takeaway counter. One visits Richies only for the food—tables and chairs made of synthetic wood, and dim light from gaudy chandeliers don’t exactly make for great ambiance. A motley bunch of diners cram the place for lunch and dinner (they have added 2nd and 3rd floors). The biryani here is delicious, and you must love meat to love Richies. The menu is limited; but the mutton and chicken biryani stand out and they are not flavoured with the same masala, or heaven forbid, rice, their kababs are something nice and unique too.
Pashtun food (i.e., kebabs, Afghani) in a kitschy atmosphere but the food is great. You will need to book on weekends. ₹300-600.
An upscale South Indian restaurant in Bengaluru, that gives you a taste of authentic south Indian cuisine in an ambience that is equally tasteful.
A long time favourite that will serve you Italian meats and cheese in a nice setting, this is still among Bengaluru's best.
Among the best restaurants in Bengaluru. Try the starters, salads and pasta is fine here. Hot sandwiches for lunch. Also has a branch at Indira Nagar.
It has comfortable lounge seating, and is open air, giving some nice views over the city.
Popularly known as CCD. Established in 1996, at Brigade Road, the chain has over 1,000 cafes throughout India. It is found all over Bengaluru.
A venerable Bengaluru institution, with waiters in traditional uniforms and customers slowly savoring the age-old tradition of coffee drinking - though there are just two choices of coffee: black or white. Have some delightful "masala dosa" here.
Pleasant old Bengaluru atmosphere. Offers a wide variety of tea, coffee from all over the world including pizza, pasta, pastries, cookies, you name it they have it plus you get to see a unique sense of humor in their menu and on the walls. On Saturday and Sunday evenings, there is live music, rock and guitar. This place is simple, expatriate friendly and not at all pricy. There is another Java City near Lavelle Road.
Plays hip hop, house and occasionally trance.
It's a Power Metal haven.
The latest watering hole in Bengaluru. Rock music across the board screened on large plasma panels; every song can not only be heard but seen as well. Hot coffee to chilled Kingfisher beer on the tap awesome cocktails and even hand rolled Havana cigars. Salads, sandwiches, jacket baked potatoes to entrées. It also offers an oxy bar, Bengaluru's first.
Little bit dingy but helpful bar staff - satellite TV has the Australia Network so you can watch Rugby Union and AFL games.
60s retro pub with a mural of Jerry Garcia. Often crowded on all 3 floors, including the pleasant roof-top seating area. Free popcorn with every pitcher of beer. Cards are available for frequent customers which make every tenth pitcher of beer free, but you may have to ask several times in order to acquire one and to get it updated.
They put the "Heavy" in heavy metal!
Mainly plays Rock, Retro, Heavy Metal and has a Video DJ.
A small place which serves only beer, good food and is nice for a family outing. But only limited tables.
Sports bar and lounge.
Make a reservation. amazing view from the 13th floor
ABC
Microbrewery that serves Belgian Triple, Smooth Criminal and Brassiere Blonde. Some of the smoothest beers in town and serves pub-style food. Has a nice vibe though it gets crowded during the weekend.
Bengaluru’s first craft brewery and a popular place for beer lovers.
Excellent drinks if you make sure Joel makes them. Officially they have a couple's only policy. Spontaneous dancing likely next to the bar.
Tuesdays is ladies night (couples permitted).
3 separate areas including a terrace. This nightclub is a remodeled colonial villa on a quiet lane, with excellent DJs and expensive drinks, and attracts a wealthy clientele.
Usually open past midnight and has a huge dance floor. 3 bars and a lounge area. Entrance varies each night.
Bare bones motel-style establishment is well located but leaves much to be desired in terms of cleanliness and overall quality.
formerly Church Street Inn
Clean rooms and convenient to the city’s local transports like the City bus station and the City Railway Station.
Complimentary breakfast.
Good simple hotel with a vegetarian restaurant.
res@bangaloregate.com
Executive, superior and premium rooms. All rooms are A/C with complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi. 24-hour room service, 2 restaurants, ample car parking.
Nice hotel with great South Indian food.
Very clean hotel, great views of the city, delicious free South Indian breakfast buffet for ₹3,400 per night for an A/C double (two single beds pushed together). Nice location for exploring the city. Long walk to M.G. Road, Garuda Mall, and Commercial Street.
Nice business hotel, good service and food
Among the top hotels in the city and has won the National Tourism Award for three years in a row.
A legacy of the British is another shopping mecca that sells international brands (similar to Brigade road) alongside locally produced items. Commercial Street has more of a bazaar feel than Brigade Road. In addition, it is famous for its body piercing centres. The price of goods here is very competitive and it is a great place to pick a bargain.
Brigade Road
The most popular place for tourists. These two roads are filled with shops of every kind, whether it be traditional handicrafts or the latest western wear (this is especially true for Brigade Road). Brigade Road, where British soldiers used to buy their necessities, is now the centre of yuppie Bengaluru; you'll see hordes of college students on the road any time of day or night. Stores on Brigade Road include: Planet M (a huge music store with everything), Tommy Hilfiger, Louis Phillipe, Pepe Jeans, Levis, Lee, SanFrisco Jeans, Nike, and Titan (great Indian made watches). There are also many eateries on Brigade road and on the side roads that lead off it. Fast food outlets include KFC (right at the entrance), Pizza Hut (at the other end of the road), and many cafes including the Indian coffee chain Cafe Coffee Day. Also includes a tattoo studio. M.G. Road is short for Mahatma Gandhi road.
Has stores like The Collective which is a shop only for men. Armani, Versace, Boss, you name it, they have it. There's even Canary Blue and Esprit on the same road.
Since 1977, a destination for booklovers with books in a diverse range from academic, professional and technical to fiction and non-fiction.
There are 3 full floors of those rare, hard to find old books. All 2nd hand, good condition and at low rates.
This is a small used book store. Good bargains on used and new books are available here.
A hot spot for books of various genres combined with seating areas, spacious racks, music and movie section, children's section and a coffee shop. A wonderful hangout to read, browse and shop.
A circulating library that has a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, including new titles. Requires membership which includes a deposit.
A wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books, including textbooks and professional works.
Secondhand and new books on a wide variety of subjects and a very cost effective library option and buy back used books.
This bookstore has a good selection of maps, postcards, guides and novels.
A venerable institution that has books on every conceivable subject literally stacked from floor to ceiling. Although the store may appear to be utterly chaotic, the owner knows where every piece of his stock lies - just be careful with those elbows, a slight nudge and the whole place will come tumbling down. This store however, will shut down shortly.
Used to be the only old bookstore. Mr Murthy, who runs the bookstore, is one of the most knowledgeable people. His grandfather started the bookstore. He also has a collection of lithographs, stained glass paintings and collectors copies of antique books.
Best known for the latest releases in art, design, architecture and all at good prices.
Sarees and dress materials from Surat, Mumbai, Kolkata, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala and Sri Lanka.
Loads of affordable young designer wear.
Loads of interesting merchandise, crafts made by NGOs, c/o The Only Place Restaurant.
(Jewellery) Hatworks Boulevard, Cunningham Rd.
A large store, offering a wide selection of some of Karnataka's best hand made products. The carvings made of Mysore sandalwood are an especially good buy.
Specialising in Indian divine figures in all mediums. Claims to have the biggest collection of Ganeshas in town. High-quality and locally-priced wares, supposedly no pushy salesmanship.
Specialises in Karnataka handicraft.
Diamond Flagship Store
14000 ft2 dedicated to the finest gold and diamond jewellery, spread over two floors.
Dedicated to gold and silver.
On the corner of McGrath and Commissariat Roads.
The sale capital of Bengaluru, on Infantry Road. Every week there is sale going on of any type. One week it might be home furnishings and the next men's wear. Good place to find some bargains. Many exhibitions are also held here, although there are retailers here too. So for quiet shopping come here (much less crowded than the other malls). It's best to visit during end of season sales (summer, monsoon) or during festivals (New Year, Christmas, Ganesh Chaturthi).
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