For those of us who love eating out but fear irreparable damage to the pocket, RT Nagar is a saviour. Its lanes are home to budget-friendly restaurants and iconic dive bars that will make your tummy and wallet very happy. To add balance to the proceedings, the past few years have seen a couple of fine-dine establishments open up as well. LBB shares a list of the neighbourhood’s best restaurants.
LBB’s loving
The Big Mataka
Readers’ vote
The Punjabi Rasoi
There seems to be no shortage of decent north-Indian and Mughlai options in the neighbourhood. This shiny restaurant offers a range of Mughlai creations. We’d recommend you give their Veg Galouti Kabab and the Mutton Kakori Kababs a try.
An old-school bakery that teems with activity and customers in the evenings, this one is where you head to for classics such as khari biscuits and honey cake as well as slightly more contemporary creations such as whole-wheat biscuits or sugar-free varieties of their cakes. We love that their oven-fresh biscuits are sold both by the kilo and the unit. Our favourites are the wheat biscuit and the salt cashew biscuit (each INR 6).
We love the Mutton Donne Biryani at Huliyappa’s for its perfect tenderness and spice. So named because of the eco-friendly leaf container it’s served in, Donne Biryani {often spelled Briyani} is a regional variety of Biryani from Karnataka. At Huliyappa’s, you can also opt for family packs {INR 460 onwards}.
This rooftop pub is a hot draw for the Sunday brunch and pitchers full of Long Island Iced Teas. Here is also where you get served beer in a giant pot or matka. The food is one of those all-cuisine affairs. You can find both thin-crust pizzas and kebabs on the menu.
Stash away your calorie counter for a bit and head here for a robust Punjabi feast. They have a big list of creamy paneer offerings along with plenty of meaty tandoori and tikka creations. Also, don’t go away without trying their runaway hit – Afghani Chicken {the meat’s marinated in yogurt and spices before being cooked in a tandoor}.
Every evening, Ronald George, the genial owner of Momo Shop, serves up one of the best momos in town to his waiting customers. The thin-as-air outer layer gives way to a piping, hot filling {veg and chicken} inside. You’ll find yourself devouring plate after plate without second thought.
The menu here has Mangalore stamped all over. Prepare for a lip-smacking feast as the Sukkas, Ghee Roasts, and Fish Frys head to your table.
Those of you who revere the famous dive bar in Vasanthnagar will be happy to know that they have a branch in RT Nagar as well. Order up your tipple of your choice while gorging on their famed Coconut Chicken, Crab Masala, Neer Dosa and biryani.
Can’t get enough of kababs and tandoori delights? Then, Al-bek is your safe haven. Make your way through the crowds, to order up chunky rolls, chicken tikka, and their Special Tandoori Chicken.
Hop over to by-lanes of Ganganagar to make merry at the area’s favourite dive bar. Chomp on their Masala Papad, French Chicken, Tawa Fried Fish, and Mutton Curry as waiters bring you your alcohol.
Part of Coraltree {same as Kudla}, Kabab Studio is the place for limitless buffets. Come prepared to be stuffed with endless helpings of fruit chaats, cream-filled gravies, kababs, biryanis and sweets.
There’s very few other places that tame your biryani cravings like Rahham’s. Pair it with plates of their Andhra Tikka, kababs, and chicken tikka and you’ve got yourself the perfect meal.
Good old Chinese food doused in Indian spices is what you get at this restaurant. The hot soups, Chicken Lollypops, and American Chopsuey are all favourites here.
With inputs from Navya D’souza
