Eat, Drink, & Shop: Here's Everything You Can Do In Malleswaram

Malleswaram's breakfast spots are legendary as the suburb itself and if you are new to Bangalore or is going to visit Malleswaram for the first time, these four iconic breakfast spots are a must visit. Trust in their fluffy idlis, crispy vadas, and buttery dosas. 

Hotel Janatha: Hotel Janatha is spilling over with patrons, and for good reason: it’s home to one of the city’s best dosas. We however recommend that you build-up your appetite with plates of fluffy idlis that go beautifully with the crunchy vadas. For those of you with a sweet tooth, there’s the neon-yellow kesari bhath that’s creamy and will melt in your mouth. Top it all, with a hot, cup of filter kaapi. 

Shri Sagar CTR: Often pitched against the battle of the best benne dosa with Basavanagudi's Vidhyarthi Bhavan, CTR or Shri Sagar is both a pilgrimage point for long-time regulars and, in recent years, a tourist spot. Whichever camp you belong to, the benne dose here is worth the clogged arteries.

Veena Stores: The renovated Veena Stores might not be the same as the hole-in-the-wall establishment it once was but the endless queues, and sonnets about their idlis and chutney continue. Even if you’re not an idli person, the legendary venue’s khara bath, puliogare, and savige bhath are memorable.  

Sri Raghavendra Stores: Pocket-friendly and much loved among its patrons, you should head to this humble establishment for their spice-filled shavige bath (made from vermicelli). Their downy idlis and steaming cups of coffee are also worthy mentions.

Tucked into a quiet neighbourhood in Malleswaram, Amrith is a family-run parlour that’s been loved since the time it started off business in 1993. Over here, you’ll find it hard to choose from the 25 different flavours but once you pick it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed by any. However, the Caribou Coffee, with a subtle hint of bitterness, and the refreshing Litchi Treat are must-trys. Click here to find out more about the legend that’s Amrith.

Halli Mane is where you go when you feel like being conspicuously traditional. The restaurant’s interiors are set up to model rural Karnataka, and each festive occasion brings with it a dedicated menu. Don’t look beyond the halli thindi – “village snacks” – section on the menu: we’re especially fond of the coconut holige, a jaggery-and-coconut-stuffed flatbread, and the akki rotti, a rice-flour flatbread.

1522 - The Pub is one of Malleswaram’s favourite bars that serve beer, bar nibbles, and good music without any fuss. Kick back over a pint (or three) with your gang. Whatever you are ordering to the table, be sure to include the Gobi 65, Chilli Chicken, Ghee Roast, Devil's Chicken, and Malaysian Spicy Potato. The ambience screams its love for the gods of classic rock.

Another of Malleswaram’s go-to spots after a day spent shopping on 8th Cross, Asha Sweets serves a particularly good glass of chilled badam milk, besides a range of chaat and sweets sold by the unit. Its sister concern next door, Asha Food Camp, has some of the area’s best coffee (and that’s saying something, for Malleswaram). 

Offering breathtaking views of the city, this glitzy nightspot is sure to wow you. Come here to party in style while sipping on bar bounty that includes a lineup of innovative cocktails and the food menu brims over with Asian influences and the must-haves includes their Thai Green Curry, Salmon Avacado Rolls, and Jumbo Tiger Prawns.

If you are looking to tuck into some coastal Mangalorean specialities, then head here. Be sure to make a reservation at Hatch. You'll love the chilled-out, open-air restaurant as much as you'll love their Anjal Fry to Chicken Ghee Roast. They also have North Indian and Chinese specialities like Paneer Chilli to Tandoori Chicken, Dal Tadka and Mutton Biryani. Down your meal with their alcohol selection that we must say, is decently priced.  

While it's not as big as Commercial Street, 8th Cross is where you can get your hands on anything from fresh fruits to clothes and accessories to kitchenware. There’s very little you can’t find on this busy lane. Street vendors line the footpath with their wares and we recommend that you look out for the makeshift stalls that sell export rejects (especially loose T-shirts and comfortable jammies) at bargain prices. Once you’ve finished with the stalls, do turn your attention to the brick and mortar stores where you can pick up exquisite silks and blouse pieces. 

In fact, take a look at all the stuff we bought home from a shopping spree here. 

While you are here, you can get all your framing jobs done at Kumar Frame Works. There's also Surya Book Stall just down the road on 10th Cross for used books. 

Your one-stop shop or rather mall for all your shopping needs -- Mantri Mall. With metro connectivity, enough parking space, and a wide range of stores, you can spend a day here shopping. Nykaa, The Body Shop, Marks & Spencer, Shoppers Stop, H&M, Home Centre, Miniso, Aeropostale, FabIndia, and department store Spar are all here. 

Shiva Musicals’ modest premises contains multitudes: since it was set up in 1983, the store has served musicians playing Indian and Western music alike. It is also known for its instrument-repair services, and for having achieved the feat of having made the world’s biggest veena. They trade in string, wind and percussion instruments like the violin, flute, tabla and dholak.

Sure, there are plenty of other Mangalore Stores in other parts of the city but none of them offers the variety that the one in Malleswaram does. Spread across three shops, you can find everything you need to whip up a meal bursting with coastal flavours here. Pick from the fresh produce that includes the rarely seen breadfruit, or the colocasia leaves that you need to make pathrode (a popular snack in Mangalore and Maharashtra where the leaves are stuffed with rice flour and a variety of spices before being steamed or fried). You can also find a range of spice mixes to add to your meat, fish or vegetable preparations. There are plenty of snacks too! Ladoos, chakalis, rose cookies, and mixture – it all calls out to you.

No trip to Malleshwaram is complete without a stop at the temple the suburb gets its name from. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kaadu Malleshwara Temple has been standing since the 17th century, it is said. One of the oldest temples in the city, many believe that it was built by the Marathas. However, it’s architecture is unmistakably Dravidian, complete with an intricate gopuram (the tower at the entrance of the temple). Do visit during the annual-festival Shivaratri when the temple is at its vibrant best.

One of Bangalore's oldest and most iconic man-made lakes, Sankey Tank can entertain the whole family, be it for photography, fitness, or street food. Spread over 15 hectares, it extends to portions of Malleshwaram, Vyalikaval, and Sadashiva Nagar, with two entrances, so you don't have to run around to get in. Shutterbugs and flower children can happily indulge in some macro, landscape, or bird photography owing to the variety of subjects there, or just breathe some fresh air. 

Known as much for its distinctive violin-shaped premises as its diverse programming, this venue is one of North Bangalore’s cultural hubs. From theatre festivals to quiz competitions and big-ticket concerts, Chowdiah has it all. Keep an eye out on ticketing platforms as well as their social channels to know what's happening on a weekly basis. 

For over 65 years, the Gupta Circulating Library has supplied Malleswaram’s readers with magazines in a variety of languages and thousands of books from its modest premises on busy Sampige Road. The shelves here are mostly lined with classics and bestsellers. PG Wodehouse, Ayn Rand, and Dan Brown all make their presence felt. You can also choose from a stock of age-old and brand new indie magazines from here. Memberships to the library begin at a mere INR 200 and go up to 400 depending on the number of books you’d like to borrow in a month.