Bangalore

Once called the "Garden City of India" and the "Pensioner's Paradise", these epithets don't apply to the modern Bangalore. Nowadays it is a large, cosmopolitan city with a large working population. Bangalore is the major centre of India's IT industry and known worldwide as the "Silicon Valley of India".

History

The earliest records of a place named "Bengaluru" are found in a ninth-century temple in an area now known as "Old Bangalore".
Legend has it that when the feudal lord Kempe Gowda was once hunting rabbits in the area, a rabbit appeared and attacked his dog. This made a great impression on Gowda and he named the place gandu bhoomi (the place of heroes). In 1537, with the assistance of the local king, he constructed three districts protected by a walled fort on the site.
During the next three centuries, Bangalore existed very much in the shadow of the neighbouring city, Mysore, and control of the town changed hands many times. The year 1831 marked a major turning point for the city. Claiming misrule by the king Krishna Raja Wodeyar III, the British took control of the Mysore Kingdom and, possibly influenced by the city's salubrious climate, moved the administrative capital to Bangalore. New telecommunication systems were laid, rail connections built, fine government buildings constructed, and the city's famous parks and gardens established. After independence, Bangalore maintained its position as the state capital of Karnataka and continues to grow.
For many years, Bangalore was regarded in India as the most green, liberal and forward-thinking city. These attributes have propelled Bangalore to the forefront of India's high-tech industry boom, and it ranks as one of the most developed cities in India and one of the world's fastest growing urban areas.
The name Bangalore appears to come from an Anglicisation of the native name Bengaluru – an adaptation of the earlier name in Kannada, Benda Kaalu Uru (Town of Boiled Beans). Apparently, this rather humble name was bequeathed to the city by King Vira Ballala. Once while lost in the area, he was offered boiled beans by an old woman, and it was out of gratitude that he named the area after this simple offering.

Climate

Unlike the major metropolises of India which are extremely hot in the summer months, Bangalore enjoys a relatively mild climate all year round.

• Summer – February to May (peak temperature is during April and May)
• Monsoon – June to October (the heaviest rains are typically between June and August)
• Winter – November to January (with December being the coldest month)

Summer temperatures can reach 36°C (97°F), and early morning temperatures in the winter hover around 12°C (54°F).

Being the capital of Karnataka, the widely spoken and official language in Bangalore is Kannada. Most upper-class people are also able to speak and understand English and Hindi. Other Indian languages such as Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Urdu are spoken by the respective migrant and minority communities. As Bangalore is a commercial and cultural hub, it has a smattering of Konkani, Marathi and Tulu speakers.
Most auto rickshaw drivers, bus conductors and shop assistants can have a conversation in at least basic English. Some of them will be able to understand Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Signs are generally written in both Kannada and English. However, a basic knowledge of Kannada comes very handy when interacting with locals.

By plane

• Kempegowda International Airport

  phone: +91 80 6678-2255, +91 80 6678-2251
  The airport is among India's busiest and most modern. The airport is host to 10 domestic airlines and 21 international airlines connecting the city to about 50 destinations.
  The airport has an international and a domestic terminal. They share the same building, but are on different sides - the domestic gates are on the west side while the larger international gates are to the east. There are ATMs, bureaux de change, two units of Cafe Coffee Day and other cafés, duty-free shops, restaurants, and day hotels at the airport. When departing from the airport, make sure to check restrictions on times for baggage check-in, and make sure to bring a printout of your boarding pass with you to the airport. For flights leaving in the early hours of the morning (such as 3AM), you may need to check in your bags as much as 2½ hours in advance.

Airlines

The airport serves as a hub city for domestic airlines such as GoAir, IndiGo and SpiceJet.
International airlines include Air India, Air France, AirAsia, Malaysian Airlines, Air Mauritius, British Airways, Dragonair, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Scoot Tigerair, SriLankan Airlines, Qatar Airways and Thai Airways.

Airport to central business district

• Buses Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) operates buses from various points of the city every 15 minutes to the Bengaluru International Airport. A total of 156 buses ply to and from the airport. Of these, 40 are air-conditioned Volvo buses, called Vayu Vajra. The cost for each trip in these buses ranges between ₹50 and ₹250 depending on the distance. This is the cheapest and an extremely convenient way to get to the airport. Moreover, this service is available everyday, day and night. While taking this mode of transport, be aware that to get from the bus stop to your final destination, you will need to take an auto rickshaw ride or to get a lift from someone.
• Taxis

• Airport-approved taxis There is a dedicated taxi holding area for travellers arriving at the airport. Taxis at this holding area use meters at the rate of ₹19.5 per kilometer. You will also have to pay the toll charge of ₹120 when you enter the highway. It costs approximately ₹600 to get to Bangalore's central business district, and about ₹700 to Koramangala. These taxis are operated by either EasyCabs, Meru Cabs or KSTDC. However, readers have reported that Meru Cabs is unreliable as some cab drivers have been known to cancel reservations at the last moment if they find a better deal from a street pick-up while on the way to an airport pick-up. Journeys to anywhere in Bangalore should not cost more than ₹800–1000. More information can be found on the airport site.
• Unofficial taxis You may be able to find a ride into Bangalore City at a much cheaper rate by taking a taxi not approved by the airport, but only if you are willing to take a risk. Taxi drivers driving such taxis will attempt to negotiate with you a much lower fare than that charged by EasyCabs and Meru Cabs, sometimes as little as ₹200–300 for a ride to the central business district. These taxis can be found just beyond the terminal plaza at the covered walkway that leads to the car park. Once you leave the walkway, some taxi drivers may become fairly aggressive, and may try to take your luggage without your permission. The best thing to do is to keep track of, and be in control of, your belongings. Even the most aggressive taxi driver or tout will leave you alone if you stand firm and make it clear that you do not want his help. You should only use such taxis if you have an idea of what the appropriate taxi rates are, and are willing to bargain very hard to avoid being swindled. It is recommended that you agree on a price before you enter the cab; no tip is necessary once you arrive at your destination.
• App-based taxis Smartphone app-based taxi services operate in Bangalore and many provide services to the airport. These operate from a pickup point a little further outside the terminal building. You can follow the signs for app-based taxi pickup. You will need to download an app to your smartphone and have an Internet connection to be able to use these services. If you don't have and Indian SIM card or cheap roaming data, you may be better to use one of the other taxi services, as the Airport WiFi can be overloaded at peak times.
• * Uber has a flat rate service from the airport to anywhere in the city for ₹549, including the toll charges.
• * Ola also operates taxis via their app from the airport.

Limousines and self-drive cars Hertz and Akbar Travels provide pre-paid limousine and car rental facilities through counters at the airport terminal building. These cost above ₹1,200 for travel to the central business district. There are generally a few ranges of self-drive cars: the compact range (Suzuki Swift), the intermediate range (Ford Fiesta), the standard range (Toyota Corolla), multi-utility vehicles (Toyota Innova) and sports utility vehicles (Ford Endeavour). Cars are given to renters with a full tank of fuel, and have to be returned with the fuel tank full. A flexible pick up and drop off facility in town and at the airport are offered. Renters can pick up their cars at the airport and drop them off anywhere in the city or in Chennai or Hyderabad. Similarly, cars can be picked up at any of these cities and dropped off at the airport. Conditions apply – for example, renters must be over 21 years of age and possess driving licences valid in India. It may be necessary to complete a lot of paper work and, depending on the company and type of car to be rented, a large deposit may be required. Please check well in advance before making plans.

Hotel pick-up You can arrange with your hotel to have a driver pick you up at the airport. Some hotels, especially the higher-end ones, provide this service for free if you are staying with them, although some may charge you anything around ₹2,500 (far higher than just taking a taxi). This may be a good option if it is your first time travelling to Bangalore. The driver will be waiting in the arrival area of the airport with a sign bearing your name.

Helicopter If you are in a hurry and have a lot of money, helicopter services are offered by Birdie and Deccan Aviation. There are eight helipads across Bangalore. A ride from the international airport sets you back by about ₹5,000.

By train

There are many railway stations in Bangalore, each serving certain trains:

• Bangalore City

  address: Railway Station Rd, Kempegowda, Sevashrama
  Most local and long-distance trains arrive and depart from here. Platforms: #1 to 7 connect to Chennai (360 km, 5-6h, ₹125-1,105) and Salem (via Hosur), #8 to 10 to Hubli via Yeshwantpur, Tumkur, Birur, #5 to 10 towards Mysore. There also trains depart to Hyderabad via Guntakal.

• Yeswantpur Junction

  address: NH-4 (Tumkur Road)
  The other main railway terminal of Bangalore. A few (mostly long-distance) trains arrive and depart from here. All trains towards Hubli stop here. Services: retiring rooms and dormitories, AC VIP Lounge, Essential stalls and ATM.

• Bengaluru East

  address: Pottery Rd.
  A smaller one.

• Bengaluru Cantonment

  address: Cantonment Railway Station Rd, Kaverappa Layout, Vasanth Nagar
  A smaller one. Services: Passenger Reservation Centre, AC VIP lounge, inquiry counters, essential stalls, Food plaza, ATM. PF-1A (Dead end side of Platform 1) is used for terminating trains like 12509/10 Guwahati Tri-weekly Express, 12503/04 Agartala Humsafar Weekly Express, 18635/36 Hatia Weekly Express, 56503/04 Vijayawada Passenger and 2 DMU services operating from Kolar via Bangarpet. The main platforms are used for halting by all the trains passing through this station except 12007/08 Chennai Mysore shatabdi Express

• Krishnarajapuram Railway station

  address: Outer Ring Road, Jyothi Puram, Krishnarajapura
  An important stop owing to proximity of IT companies and the ring road just passing close to the station and well connected by buses to major parts. It also forms the 1st stop for majority of trains leaving Yeshvantapur towards Jolarpettai.

• Kengeri

  address: Kengeri Satellite Town, Kengeri
  An important stop owing to proximity of residential areas in the proximity. Its a major stop for all train coming from Mysore side. Kengeri Bus stand on Mysore road is 5 mins walk from Railway station, having access to major Ring Road services of 401K (Yelahanka via Vijayanagar ), 401M (Yeshvantapur via Ring Road ), 502F (Peenya), 375 (Banashankari via Uttarahalli), 378 (Electronic City via Uttarahalli) and 222A/226N towards Majestic and Market. Global Tech Park is about 3 km from here and B.G.S Global Hospital about 5 km.

Bookings can be done at either the railway stations or at the Indian Railways booking counters in major commercial and residential areas. Booking can also be done online. If you are booking at Bengaluru City and are traveling to Mysore, there is a separate counter for travellers to Mysore. This is to cater for the large number of travellers between Bangalore and Mysore. If travelling to Mysore on a Sunday afternoon, arrive early as there is usually a long line for buying tickets.
As with all Indian railway travel, have some patience for delays. Trains are usually on time (within 20 min of scheduled time), but can sometimes be late. A digital departure board in the station will tell you what platform your train is on and what time it leaves.
For train arrival/departure and PNR status inquiries at various railway stations at Bengaluru, call 139.
Travelling from Mumbai to Bangalore by train takes a long time (24 hr or so). Buses are comparatively faster and take 18-20 hr, provided there are no traffic jams in Mumbai and Pune en route. Effective travel time by train or bus is long. Air travel is recommended for traveling between Mumbai and Bangalore, the duration of which is about 90 min. Low-cost airlines charge the same fare as A/C train or Volvo bus. However, sleeper class (non air-con) train travel from Mumbai to Bangalore is economical and you can have a view of some lush evergreen forests and river valleys across Western India.
Traveling to Delhi can take 39 hours (or more) and the flight ticket just double than the amount of the slow train.
For the Foreign Tourist Quota, go to the big building on the left, before entering the train station through the main access. This is the "Unreserved Tickets" building (even if on the side door it says "Reservation Center"). On the first floor, there is the Chief Reservation Supervisor. The official will book the ticket for you (after showing a foreigner passport). They might refer you to the first counter on the main building. But there you will need to stand and queue, while here you can site at the office and wait they book the ticket for you.

By bus

If you have difficulty in arranging a plane or railway ticket to/from your next destination, or you prefer a little more adventure, you can go by bus. Government and private buses run services to/from major cities like Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirupati, Hyderabad, etc. Buses can be a regular service with only seats and no A/C, normal luxury bus, a Volvo A/C bus or a sleeper bus for night travel. Buses are also good for coming from many towns in Karnataka without a good number of trains due to the increased service - most towns in Karnataka are essentially guaranteed to have service to the state capital.

• Kempegowda Bus Station

  address: Gandhi Nagar, City Bus Rd
  One of the largest bus stands in the city, this bus stand caters to major buses on Karnataka (Except Mysore Road side buses), Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra & Goa routes. it is also the largest intersecting point for Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), which maintains bus services within Bangalore. The bus stand is opposite City Railway station.

• MCTC

  address: Bapuji Nagar, Mysore Road
  One of the important bus stands of Bangalore, aimed at decongesting Majestic bus stand, this bus stand caters to all ordinary and Luxury services towards Mysore, as well as Interstate ordinary and Luxury services to Kerala, via Mysore, operated by Karnataka and Kerala state governments. Ordinary and Deluxe uses bound to Ooty, Coimbatore via Mysore/Kollegal also start from this place. All ordinary services operated by Tamilnadu State Road Transport Corporation to Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Vriddachalam, Kanchipuram, Coimbatore and Trichy use this Bus stand for terminating their bus services

• Shantinagar

  address: K.H.Road
  One of the important bus stands of Bangalore, aimed at decongesting Majestic bus stand, this bus stand caters to all Luxury services towards Tamilnadu operated by KSRTC as well as SETC of Tamilnadu State. Some Kerala State Transport Corporation buses running via Salem to Kerala go through this terminal.

There are also many unofficial stops that buses will go to on request (even on deluxe buses with reserved seats, you can ask the conductor to stop at such a stop as long as it is in Bangalore/the same city as the stop on your ticket) or even let passengers book tickets from. These places do not have any station infrastructure, but are usually located near landmarks, on major streets/circles/squares, and of course can be spotted by the numerous buses crowded around. One particularly useful stop is Yeswanthpur Junction, which is next to the long distance train station of the same name as well as the Yeswanthpur metro station.
The display boards for long distance buses bus show the destination in the local language Kannada. If you don't speak Kannada, you will likely need to get some help to get on the right bus. However, the newer Volvo buses are all equipped with electronic displays that show the destination in Kannada and English one after the other. Non-Volvo buses are being gradually retrofitted with these electronic displays; this should make bus travel much simpler if you are unfamiliar with the local language. However, there are still many of the older Ashok Leyland and even some very old Tata buses plying the roads, so it is best to go by timings or ask the conductor where the bus is heading (usually by asking the destination name like its a question, such as "Mysore?", and hearing if the conductor responds with the same name or another one).

Bus companies

• Durgamba Motors
• Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)- Operated by Govt. of Karnataka. Counters are present all over the city for reservations, list on the website.
• KPN Travels - Toward Tamil Nadu
• VRL Travels - Toward most places North of Bangalore
• City Travels- Toward Tamil Nadu

By car

Driving in India can be very stressful. Lane discipline is practically non-existent, excessive honking, high vehicle density, lack of regard for traffic law, combined with razor thin passing margins are common. One ride in a taxi will most likely convince you that driving yourself is not worth the risk, so if you do want to arrive by car, you will probably want to hire a car and a driver. Cost varies, but most car and driver combinations cost ₹1,400-1,700/day. The fares for hired private taxis are usually in the multiples of 4hr/40 km, fares for which start at around ₹450 for a non-air conditioned small car. Depending on where you are coming from, you may be able to negotiate a lower fare if the trip isn't far, and it may be a higher fare if you are travelling far and your driver has to travel back on his own time. Having an approximate idea of the fare or distance beforehand and persistent bargaining skills can lead to significant savings. Although it costs more, consider requesting an air conditioned car if you aren't used to the heat, especially in summer. An air conditioned car will also help filter out the air pollution, which is considerable, especially on congested roadways. If you want something even more special, such as a fancy car or SUV, be prepared to pay extra.

By metro

The Bangalore Metro (Namma Metro) is an efficient cross-city rail service. As of July 2017, there are two lines intersecting at Kempegowda Bus Station Majestic Terminal , with a total of 41 stops. Tickets can be bought at any station. Fares depend on the number of stations to commute. Minimum of ₹10. Card costing ₹50 will save you from queues and around ₹5 for each trip.
If you get a smart token (the single journey ticket), remember that it has to be returned at the station you get off at, so take a picture of it before you leave if you want.
The existing routes are:

• East-West Line/Purple Line: Baiyappanhalli (Old Madras Road)>Swami Vivekananda Road-->Indiranagar-->Halasuru-->Trinity Circle-->M.G.Road-->Cubbon Park-->Vidhana Soudha-->Central College-->Kempegowda Bus Station (interchange station)-->City Railway Station-->Magadi Road-->Hosahalli-->Vijayanagar-->Attiguppe-->Deepanjalinagar-->Nayandahalli (Mysore Road)-
• North-South Line/Green Line: Nagasandra (Tumkur Road)-->Dasarahalli-->Jalahalli-->Peenya Industry-->Peenya-->Goraguntepalya-->Yeshvantapur Railway Station (PF-6 entrance)-->Sandal Soap Factory-->Mahalakshmi-->Rajajinagar-->Kuvempu Road-->Srirampura-->Mantri Square Sampige Road-->Kempegowda Bus Station (interchange station)-->Chikpet-->K.R.Market-->National College-->Lalbagh-->South End Circle-->R.V.Road-->Banashankari-->J.P.Nagar-->Yelahachanahalli

By bus

Buses are cheap and usually frequent (though expensive compared to other states). But traveling on them can be very difficult if you don't know the system well. Now, most buses have digital signage alternating between the local language Kannada and English but some buses still display the old printed signs with only the route number in English, with the destination and route information written in Kannada. Of course, even with the digital signage the buses can take a long time to change the displayed language, meaning that it can be easy to miss your bus. This means you will have to know what route number you need before you get on, which you can find from the BMTC website, BMTCRoutes.in website, Desiroutes, entering your starting point and end point on Google maps, or by asking locals.
Not all bus stops are clearly marked, so it can be a little tricky on your first trip. Groups of people standing around can be a good indicator that the bus will stop there. Also its a good idea to ask the driver or conductor if they stop at the stop you want to go to (a 500 and a 500Q will not go to all the same stops). Just ask the name in a question tone and you will get a response. Conductors (there is one on every bus and they collect fares and issue tickets- they are always in uniform) are also helpful in telling you where/when your stop is if you ask, as are fellow passengers if they frequent the route. Posted route maps of the bus system are rare, although maps are sold at the main bus terminals (Kempegowda Bus Stand and Shivajinagar). BMTC (toll free) .
Watch out: some bus drivers put their route sign on the bottom right side of the windsheild instead of its place on the sign holder on the top of the windshield.
Buses with black display boards run within the city. Red board buses covers long distance and go to adjoining suburbs. The ordinary city buses are white & blue or green in colour. The newer city buses tend to be blue in colour, and have LED display boards. There are blue Volvo buses, called Vajra, that operate mainly on IT sector routes like Electronic City , ITPL and Outer Ring Road routes, and to tourist places like Bannerghatta National Park and weekend Services to Wonderla. They offer a comfortable air-conditioned ride at higher prices ( 1 1/2 to 2 times the regular bus fare) than the regular buses (which are not air-conditioned). Unlike most other buses, the Vajras have illuminated LED display boards on the front and sides which display the destination and route information in English as well as Kannada.
BMTC also operates Vayu Vajra services to Bangalore International Airport from various destinations across the City. KIAS-9 is the most frequent of the routes, connecting the Airport to Majestic Bus stand.
City buses are crowded during rush hours, which are at least 7-10AM and 5-9PM (M-Sa) but one can travel with little difficulty during the daytime. Bus services usually start by 5 or 6AM and are less frequent 9:30AM-10PM and rare after 10:30PM. Also note that traffic in Bangalore is notorious. A trip across the city can take up to 4 hr, especially in rush hour times. There are no bus lanes, so busses, cabs and cars face the same traffic jams!
Major buses in the city have the seats reserved for ladies in the front, between the front and middle doors. The first seat near the front door is reserved for ladies senior citizens, while the first seat behind the middle door is for the physically challenged, and the seat facing the door is for senior citizens. Generally you can board and exit the bus from either door.
It is always better to buy a daily pass if you plan to travel the whole day on the bus. The daily pass costs ₹70 as of January 2018 and it comes in handy if you need to travel on several buses in a single day. Daily passes are issued by the on-duty bus conductor or at the bus stand. Using this pass you can travel in any bus (other than the Vajra) for the entire day, any number of times. Senior citizens are given 25% concession in all buses on production of valid ID card (e.g., passport). Children aged 4-12 are given 50% concession. No charge for children up to 4 years of age.
There are three major bus stands:

• Kempegowda bus standQuite neatly organised and is easily navigable. There is an inquiry office near platform number 1 on ‘Majestic’ where you can ask the bus number and platform for your desired destination. You can find a large map on display, which you can use to find the bus number you need to take if you know the area you are going to. You can of course always ask the conductor or other passengers. Route maps are also sold on the platforms. Has stations for both lines of the metro.

• City MarketAround 2.5 km (1.5 mi) away from Majestic. Could daunt newcomers, since it is very disorganised. It is a large dirt parking lot under an overhead highway, and there is not much order to where buses park.

• ShivajinagarIn the north. It is neatly organised, and there is an inquiry window to find about buses. If you are changing buses, you may have to get down on the street and walk into the bus stand to catch your next bus. You can find a large map on display here too, which you can use to find the bus number you need to take if you know the area you are going to. Route maps are also sold on the platforms.

Buses are available to all major localities of the city from these three bus stands. There have been lot of developments due to the ongoing metro project as well as efforts to decongest the city. BMTC is adding more bus stations all the time. Better to check on their website for latest situation.

By auto-rickshaw

Auto-rickshaws (also called "auto") are everywhere at any time of day. They are green-and-yellow or black-and-yellow three wheeled contraptions. They are a fast (but unsafe) way to get around the city - in thick traffic, they are quicker than a taxi or bus.
Auto-rickshaws are supposed to charge fares as per the meter reading, which equals to ₹13 per distance kilometer, a minimum charge of ₹25 for the first 1.8 km or less, and a 50% surcharge after 10PM (called "one and a half"). Heavy luggage costs an additional fee of around ₹10-20. They generally tend to charge on an ad-hoc basis depending on the distance of the destination, the chances of getting another customer from the mentioned locality, and their mood. You should simply refuse to board an auto where the meter is faulty or the driver refuses to use it. Saying "meter please" will usually do the trick.
Tourists should be cautious when approaching auto-rickshaws at night, or during heavy rains. Chances are they will charge exorbitant rates (some drivers may demand 100% surcharge after 10PM or 11PM), but you must refuse to board in such a case. Help could be taken from the local traffic police to avail auto-rickshaws during such circumstances. If you are a visitor and do not know the route to the destination, it is a good idea to bargain and fix the fare before boarding to avoid long, convoluted routes being used by the driver - or check the route by recording a GPS track on your mobile.
Another thing to keep in mind is to be firm but not loud in an argument while travelling in the auto. Some of the less reputable drivers may team up with their friends midway to cause problems. Remember that although Bangaloreans are known for their polite and mild mannered behaviour, auto drivers are normally an exception. Some will think nothing of trying to rip you off. If in doubt, consult a local or your hotel travel desk.
If a rickshaw driver offers to show/drive you to some great places to shop, firmly refuse. A common tactic is to drive you to local shops where you will be pressured to buy Indian crafts that you probably don't want. Know your destination and insist upon it.
Rickshaw drivers are required by law to display their identification on the dashboard or the back of their seats. Refuse to get into a rickshaw that does not display one.
If an auto driver is problematic, their identification number and report to the BBMP Control room which is empowered to withdraw their auto license. This is a very effective technique to deal with them. The BBMP control room number as of December 2009 is .
If you arrive in Bangalore via train, at the main train station there is an office near the taxis/auto-rickshaws which will print-out a pre-paid receipt for your ride. The service costs ₹1, but will save you a potentially large amount of money by giving you an accurate value for your ride. This also allows you to avoid haggling with the driver, and acts as an official price agreement in the event that the driver wants to dispute the price of the ride.

By taxi

Taxis are very convenient and comfortable. Most of the vehicles are Toyota Etios, Tata Indica cars or Mahindra Logan cars, which are much safer than auto-rickshaws, and the drivers are polite. If you are alone or going to an unknown destination, you are strongly advised to choose this option, even though the rates will be double that of an auto-rickshaw. Most taxi companies will charge a flat rate of ₹150 from anywhere to anywhere within city limits. Waiting or return trips will be charged extra, as will a lot of heavy luggage.
Unlike many other countries, taxis are not marked with 'TAXI' signs on the top. Instead, the cars are marked with the logo of the fleet operator or taxi company on the sides of the car. Only some companies like "Meru Taxi" are marked with the sign 'Taxi' on them. Some companies have a yellow sign with an identification number (usually an alphabet followed by two digits) on the top. Keep in mind that these taxis cannot be hailed from the street, but have to be called by telephone. When you call, you must give the operator your location, destination, and phone number. The operator will in turn tell you the charge (or will inform you that you must go by the meter) as well as the taxi number. The taxi will come pick you up, and call you when they are close. When you go out on the street, look at the license plate for the number they gave you—it will be the last four digits of the license plate. Alternatively, look for the yellow board atop the car with the taxi's identification number.
The license plate number is usually in the format "KA" followed by 01 to 05, followed by two alphabets, followed by a four digit number. Taxis generally have yellow license plates with black letters.
On weekdays, especially during rush hours, be prepared to book a taxi a couple of hours in advance. Otherwise, the rush-hour traffic jams and high demand for taxis will make it difficult for a taxi to reach you in time. Private taxis are generally more reliable during this time - in many cases, radio cabs will be overbooked, and you might be unfortunate be informed that your booking has been cancelled.
Although it can be hard for non-Indians to grasp at first, the system is actually very effective. If in doubt, ask a member of your hotel staff to help you, and when your taxi comes be sure to tip them ₹35-40 for the assistance.
Some radio taxi services are:
Easy Cabs (T:+91 80 4343 4343), Genie Cabs (+91 80 3399 3399, ₹30 more for phone bookings),Mapcabs(T.+91 8880 510 520) ,GetMeCab (T.+91 92666 01520, hours=8AM-9PM), ,Cabbazar(T.7777880880)
LimeCabs (T.+91 7795109379, hours=9AM-9PM), Besto Tours (Bangalore Car Rentals) (T.+91 80 3951 2888, hours=5AM-9PM), Mega Cabs (T:+91 80 4747 4747), Meru Cabs (T.+91 80 4422 4422), Ola Cabs (+91 80 3355 3355), SPOT City Taxi (T:+91 80 2551 0000),
Star City Taxi (+91 80 2313 3333), Taxi for Sure (TFS, +91 80 6060 1010), Taj Trip Car (T:+91 88 0055 0676).7mcar (Call :080 87138713). Seven Miles Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd (Call :080 87138713), BSR Travels(8550855111).
Travel agents and hotels can arrange private chauffeur driven cars, and you may also hire cars to drive yourself. While expensive compared to taxis, these are the most trusted, secure, and comfortable ways to travel around the city. Driving in Bangalore can be difficult, because of poor driver discipline, but chauffeur driven services are very reasonable. These can be arranged by travel companies or online from the countries of origin.

By private car

Most taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers will be more than happy to offer you either a daily rate or an hourly rate, and take you around wherever you need to go. Alternately, your hotel or a travel company can arrange a private car.
If you find a good taxi or auto driver, this can be a great way to go for a foreigner. You'll certainly pay a lot more than if you bought individual rides, but you'll always have a driver waiting for you, and he can help with recommending local tourist sites, finding a good restaurant to eat at, and otherwise coping with day-to-day life. This can take a lot of the stress out of traveling.
Rates are generally something like ₹50-100 per hour for an auto-rickshaw, and ₹150-250 per hour for a taxi. Rates for a private car booked via the hotel will probably be more. Like everything else in India, rates are very fluid.

By bicycle

The weather in Bangalore is extremely pleasant, but the traffic is equally hectic. So if your plan is not to go towards crowded city, you can go around cycling.
Most of the sightseeing locations are within a range of 15 km, so you can consider covering them on bicycle. Bicycle dealers charge ₹100-300 for entire day and you have to submit identity proof to hire bicycle.

By commuter rail

A commuter rail system was planned, but nothing has came out of those efforts.
However, there are MEMU trains connecting the city center to various suburbs, especially those with a high concentration of tech companies such as Whitefield. However, speeds are low and station infrastructure can be poor.

There are city tours that can show you the city efficiently if you are short on time. Typically, tours do not include entry fees into the attractions. Bangalore, like the rest of India, has a habit of charging foreigners a lot more than locals for attractions. For example, Tipu Sultan's Palace, which is on the half-day tour, charges ₹15 for Indians/Saarc and ₹200 for non-Indians.

Landmarks

• Bengaluru Palace

  address: Palace Road, Vasanth Nagar
  Built by the Maharajahs of Mysore. For many years the building was neglected as a tourist attraction, but is now open to the public. This is a run down building with paint peeling on the interior, and generally a tourist trap to be avoided.

• Tipu Sultan's Palace

  phone: +91 80 2670 6836
  address: Allbert Victor Road, Chamrajpet
  Dating to about 1790, it was the summer retreat for Tipu Sultan. The two story structure is made mostly out of wood with finely embellished balconies, pillars and arches. It contains a small museum with information on Tipu Sultan.

• Bangalore FortBuilt in 1537. A small part with massive granite walls, big gates, a dungeon, and a small Ganesha temple is still intact.

• Seshadari Iyer Memorial

  address: Kasturba Rd
  A distinctive red sandstone building. It houses the State Central Library (right south of Cubbon Park) and the Bengaluru High Court of Karnataka, (Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar, north of Ribbon Park), while the grounds include a children's recreation area with a toy train, fairground and theater.

• Vidhana Soudha

  address: Dr Ambedkar Rd, Sampangi Ramnaga
  The legislative House of the State of Karnataka, this granite building was built by Sri K. Hanumanthaiya, Chief Minister of the then Mysore state between 1951-1956. A marvel of neo-Dravidian architecture, and one of the most imposing buildings in India. One of the interesting feature of this building in grand stairs in its front. The grand stairs has a flight of forty-five steps, 62 m (204 ft) wide and 21 m (70 ft) deep, giving a direct access to the foyer of first floor leading to an Assembly Chamber. The architecture of the building is based on Dravidian style, comprising richly carved bases and capitals for pillars, deep friezes, kapotha cornices, chaithya arches, heavy pediments domical finials. At the same time, the construction was on modern designs, making use of the present-day materials like steel, reinforced concrete, glass, and plastic. General public and tourists are not allowed to enter the ground or the building. It can only be viewed from the road and footpath outside the boundary walls.

• Vikasa SoudhaLocated next to Vidhana Soudha, built in the same classic style. It was inaugurated in 2005. General public and tourists are not allowed to enter the premises. It can only be viewed from outside the boundary walls.

• HAL Aerospace MuseumIndia's first aerospace museum. Run by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a large aerospace company.

• Indian Music Experience

  phone: +91 96866 02366
  address: Brigade Millenium Avenue, JP Nagar, 7th Phase
  A hi-tech and interactive music museum with exhibits on traditional and contemporary Indian music.

Temples

• Art of Living Temple

  phone: +91 9448386061
  address: Near Cricket Coaching ground, Double Road
  The Bangalore Ashram is the international headquarters of the Art of Living foundation. The ashram is spread of 65 acres and was established in 1986. They conduct frequent yoga and Ayurveda programs.

• Banaswadi Hanuman TempleConstructed in the Dravidian style, attracts a large number of devotees especially on week-ends. It has smaller temples dedicated to Lord Rama, Shiva and Ganapathi within the walled compound.

• Bull Temple

  address: Bull Temple Road, NR Colony, Basavanagudi
  A typical Dravidian style temple, famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder. Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area. Since then, local farmers have held an annual festival to express their gratitude.

• DakshinaMukhy Nandeeshwara TempleA very ancient temple. This is on Sampige Road in the Malleshwaram area. The speciality of the temple is that, the natural (mineral) water flows from the mouth of Nandi (naturally) which is above a ShivaLingam, and pours all over the year as Abhishekam by nature itself. This water, after Abhishekam is taken by devotees as medicinal water, believed to cure many diseases. People from all over the world take this water in small containers with a lot of trust and devotion.

• Dharmaraya Swamy Draupadi Devi TempleOne of the oldest temples of Bangalore and also the smallest, the Temple is in exsitence since the day of finding the city by Shri Kempegowda. It is on S.P. Road close to Corporation circle, behind the LIC building. This temple is famous for the Annual Karaga Festival held every summer. The Presiding Deity is Dharmaraya (Yudishtra) & Consort Draupadi making it a unique one of its kind.

• Dodda GanapathiOne of the oldest temples in Bangalore, it is adjacent to the Bull Temple. The temple is famous for the huge monolith structure of Lord Ganesha, who was worshipped by the villagers to save them from the Bull that was damaging their crops in the area. The Bull Temple is a few metres away from this temple.

• Gavi Gangadeshwara Cave Temple

  address: Gavipuram, Kempegowda Nagar
  Built by Kempe Gowda, this temple with four remarkable monolithic pillars is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple also has a rare idol of Agni god of fire. The annual festival is on Makara Shankranti and thousands of devotees flock to see the suns rays fall on the Shivlinga.

• ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple

  phone: +91 80 2347 1956, +91 80 2357 8346
  address: Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Rd
  Temple built on a hillock in Rajajinagar atop scenic surroundings, is a perfect blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony. The huge cultural complex was built to promote vedic culture and spiritual learning, and abounds with shops selling devotional items and souvenirs. The annual Krishna and Balarama Rath Yatra is attended by thousands.

• Maha Bodhi Society Temple

  address: No. 14, Kalidas Road, Gandhi Nagar
  A relatively new structure, with the main shrine built as a replica of the historic stupa at Bodh Gaya. The temple grounds are very peaceful, and visitors are welcome to stroll around. In addition, the temple houses an excellent library of books on Buddhism, many of which are in English.

• Maruthi Mandir, Mahakalshmi LayoutA Hanuman Temple is opposite - 5 min drive from ISKCON temple, in the gate of Mahalakshmi Layout. This is a rock hill with huge idols of Hanuman and Mahalakshmi temples. The annual festival of Hanumad Jayanthi during December is very attractive.

• Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple

  address: Bannerghatta Rd
  Beautiful, spacious temple devoted to Sri Meenakshi Amma. Built in ancient style with stone structures, this place is very cool and mind refreshing place to see. You will feel that you are in a temple at Tamilnad, when in this temple.

• Mukti Naga TempleContains the world's largest monolithic statue of Lord Naaga, about 16 feet tall and weighing 36 tons. The Mukti Naga Temple, which is run by Shri Subrahmanya Seva Trust, is in a serene ambience of Ramohalli, a village on the outskirts of the city.

• Ragi Gudda

  address: Jayanagar 9th block
  This is a famous Hanuman temple abode. The temple is on a mammoth rocky hill, and has very attractive chain of temples like Spathika Shiva, Ganesha and scenery within the premises. This is a very crowd attracting place during the period of Hanumad Jayanthi in December. You get mahaprasadam meals on Saturday noon-1PM.

• Someshwara Temple

  address: Halasuru
  Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the oldest temples of the City. The Inner Sanctum Santorium 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 for preserving the temple.

• Shiva Temple

  phone: +91 80 2522 8444
  address: Old Airport Rd
  This temple has a massive monolith of Lord Shiva in the middle of an artificial pool. There is a cave-like walkthrough behind the statue. It is extremely crowded on the festival of Maha Shivaratri. One can't see or feel any kind of Bhakti in this temple, because at each move inside the temple there will be a person collecting money which creates such a disturbance for the concentration on Bhakti. On each step the devotees will be concentrating on the money boxes (Hundi in Kannada), and people standing to ask money as offerings.

• Shree Guruvayurappan Temple

• Sri Raja Rajeshwari TempleA famous temple dedicated to Goddess Parvathi (RajaRajeshwari). It was built by a renowned spiritual guru, Sri Sri Sri Tiruchi Mahaswaigal. Built in the ancient style with stones, the temple is very spacious. One can feel the peace and satisfaction when visited. Week ends are very crowded.

• Sri Ramakrishna AshramThere are many Ramakrishna Ashrams in Bangalore, but the special and central one is in Gandhi Bazaar, an area with many temples. This mutt contains a vast meditating hall, a beautiful park, a Vedic school and many more facilities. Sri Sharada Devi had meditated on a location in the park in this boundary. This location is preserved as a monument. A stone on which Swami Vivekananda sat when he visited Bangalore is also kept as a monument. This is a calm and peaceful place to meditate.

• Vasantha Vallabharaya TempleA small hillock with an ancient temple dedicated to Sri Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy.

• VenkataramanaSwamy Temple

  address: Visveswarapuram district
  A fine example of Dravidian architecture. This ancient temple was built by Maharaja Chikka Devaraya Wodeyar and is next to the summer palace of Tipu Sultan.

• Champakadhama Temple

  address: Bannerghatta, close to Bannerghatta circle
  A old temple dedicated to Lord Champakeshwara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Name stands because of the presence of the "Champaka" flowers in the area that was used for worship. A small temple, dedicated to Lord Narasimha is on the hillock. A small Kalyani is present behind the Temple, close to the borders of the Bannerghatta forest in about 700 m walk from top of the Hillock. Visit to the Tank is prohibited in Wintry evening and late evenings owing to presence of elephant movement

Churches

• Holy Trinity ChurchThis church is a major landmark in Bangalore. It was built in 1851, for the British Regiment stationed in Bangalore. 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.

• St. Mary's BasilicaThe oldest church in Bangalore, 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 Bangalore. The basilica is been 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.

• Shelter House Church

  address: Bannerghatta Rd, Arekeres
  The service is conducted in English and starts from 9:30AM in the morning.

Indoor activities

• Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium

  phone: +91 80-22379725
  address: Bangalore Association for Science Education, Sri T. Choudaiah Road, High Grounds
  A very good planetarium for adults and children alike. Shows are offered in Kannada and English. Each show is about 30 minutes long. There are about 200 seats available for each show. A ticket can be used only for the show mentioned on the ticket, and is non-refundable if you miss that show. Ticket prices are ₹35 for adults and ₹20 for school students and children (up to 16 years), children below 3 years are not allowed inside the Sky-Theatre. Mondays and second Tuesday are holidays.

• Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum

  phone: +91 80-22866200
  Contains many fun learning activities and exhibitions that can be enjoyed by adults and children. Most exhibits are based on simple science, but some have industrial applications. For general visitors entry fee is ₹40. Some groups receive discounts (organised school groups, BPL Category when showing valid BPL card, etc). Entry is free for military and police personnel in uniform, the physically challenged, and children below 5 years of age. There is also a 3D show costing an extra ₹25 (for general public). Open on all days of the year except Ganesha Chathurthi and Deepavali.

Outdoor activities and sports

• Adventure clubs: Bangalore is bestowed with rock climbers, aqua sportsmen and aero sportsmen. There are several clubs including Thrillophilia, Nature Admire, Care, Spark, KMA, Capture, Mars, Angel, Wildcraft and Adventure Works.
• Camping, Savandurga, Gunjoor Lake, Bhimeshwari, Rangaswamy betta.
• Cave exploration, Savandurga, Anthargange, Siddarabetta.

• CyclingArt of Bicycle Trips organizes bicycle tours in and around Bangalore. The tours combine cycling with Indian art, culture and heritage.

• Hiking, Nandi hills; Rangaswamy betta, Bhimeshwari - Muttati.
• Hill Climbing, Savandurga, Makalidurga, Kavaledurga (Skandagiri), Kabalidurga, Siddarabetta, Nijakal betta, Shivgange.

• Sports clubsThe Koramangala Club in Koramangala, and the Swimming club at the National Games Village (NGV), have facilities such as swimming pools and tennis courts.

• Thrillophilia Adventure Tours Pvt. Ltd.

  phone: +91 96 8602-0000
  address: 4th Floor, 2628, 27th main, 1st sector, HSR layout
  Thrillophilia arranges for adventure tours around Bangalore which includes rappelling, mountain safari, camping, trekking, dirt biking, rafting, jumering, river crossing and quad biking. Micro light flying and paragliding can also be arranged on demand basis. Sep – May is the best season for most of the adventure activities.

• Trash Trail

  phone: +91 80 41157311
  address: Daily Dump
  On this journey through the story of waste, you will meet people who silently clean up and transform all the stuff we throw away. In the process, you will visit places you haven't imagined existed!

• Ultimate FrisbeeAlthough in a nascent stage, Ultimate Frisbee games are held on Tu Th Sa mornings starting 6:30AM. The teams comprise of players of all skill levels.

• Watch a cricket match

  address: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
  Chinnaswamy Stadium is the home ground of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challengers Bengaluru which is reputed for having a large, loyal, and loud fan following. IPL season typically is between March and May every year, matches are played in the evenings and last around 3 hours. Scour the daily newspapers for ticket information - tickets typically get sold out a week before.

• Sujaya Holidays

  phone: +91 9820447112
  address: Mumbai & Thane
  Sujaya holidays provides all adventure tours around Bangalore at the cheapest rates.

• Swayourway Travel & Tourism Agency

  phone: +91 9819941810
  address: No 7, R.H. Mishra Estate, Swami Vivekanand Rd, Dahisar East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400068
  Swayourway India's no.1 Travel & Tourism Company. Explore the Trip of memories like Trekking, Camping, Sightseeing, Adventuring rides and sports.

Nature and parks

• LalbaghGarden and lake inside-the lake offers a pleasant view and is home to some water birds

• J. P. Park

  address: Mathikere, Near Yashwanthpur Railway Station
  The third largest park in Bangalore, covering 85 acres. There are many statues of animals and provision for children's' games. The park includes four lakes, 25 acres of lawns, over 250 varieties of trees and shrubs (including select exotic and aquatic species, and a nursery), a nature centre, an exhibition plaza, and an amphitheatre.

• HMT Area

  address: BEL Junction
  This area is dotted with parks and green layouts. Examples are General Ayyappa Park and Kittur Rani Chennamma Park. The J.P.Park is nearby. Lodges are available at Mathikere and Jalahalli.

• Ulsoor LakeA pleasant lake

• Sankey TankA pleasant lake

• Dodda Alada MaraA giant 400-year-old Banyan tree about 28 km from central Bangalore. This single plant covers 3 acres and is one of the largest of its kind.

• Cubbon ParkA Nice forested area in the heart of the City. The entrance from Queen's Statue forms the tourist attraction owing to the presence of the Government Aquarium and Bal Bhavan, a play area for kids. Puttaani Express a small toy train for kids, runs inside the Bal Bhavan attracts kids from far and near. Vidhana Soudha and Karnataka High Court border the other side of Cubbon Park

Fairs & exhibitions

• Aero IndiaHeld in the second week of February every alternate year (the next one is in 2017), this is Asia's premier air show. Spanning 5 days but open to the public only on the last 3 days (F-Su), the show at Yelahanka Air Force Base in the northern part of Bangalore comprises a defence exhibition and air show. Fighter jets from around the world are on flying and on static display. Normally, there are two air shows every day - one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Tickets can be purchased online or at select outlets - scan the newspapers for more information. (Purchasing a ticket at outlets requires you to show a photo identification and tickets are non-transferable. For the 2011 edition, Pakistani nationals were not permitted to register via the website.)

• Chitra Santhe (Paintings market)An annual exhibition, held on the first Sunday of every year in January, the Chitra Santhe on Kumara Krupa Road (near Golf Course) brings together artists from all across Karnataka. Paintings, pottery, and sculpture are all on an exhibition-cum-sale. The road is closed for traffic on that day, making it possible to have a leisurely stroll, admiring and buying the items. Prices range from ₹100-20,000. Bargaining is recommended, but not too hard. Pay a fair price. (Credit cards and foreign currency are rarely accepted, so carry sufficient cash in Indian currency).

• Kadlekai Parishe (Peanut fair)Every year, sometime during the months of Nov-Dec, the area around Bull Temple Road in South Bangalore hosts a peanut fair. Centuries ago, the villages in and around this area used to cultivate peanuts and the custom was to dedicate the first crop to Nandi (the Bull at the temple). Although the villages of yore are today residential areas, the tradition continues as peanut farmers congregate to sell their crop. The 2 day traditional fair has many stalls that sell peanuts, trinkets, bangles, pottery, dolls etc. There are also a number of food stalls.

• Flower Show (Biannual)A bi-annual affair at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens Bangalore, during the Independence Day (August 15th) & Republic Day (January 26th). Various companies display their floral exhibits in this period, normally held from a week before the above mentioned days. Main epicentre would be a Rose arrangement representing a theme, or a heritage structure, which attracts major crowd from around Bangalore.

• Mango MelaAn annual affair, during the beginning of the summer season, the season for the king of fruits. Normally, Mangoes (raw & ripe), cultivated in the Bangalore rural districts as well as neighbouring Kolar and Chikballapur districts are brought and kept for show as well as sale during this period, at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. A must visit for mango fans.

Arts and theatre

• Concerts at Bengaluru Palace GroundsCheck the local listings to see if any concerts are happening. Most international acts happen at Bengaluru Palace Grounds and the venue has hosted Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Joe Satriani, Mark Knopfler, Aerosmith, Sting, Uriah Heep, Lamb of God, Megadeth, Machinehead, Scorpions among others.

• Rangashankara

  phone: +91 80 26592777, +91 80 26494656
  address: 36/2, 8th Cross, J.P. Nagar, 2nd Phase
  Many local groups perform here, although more often shows are presented by traveling groups touring India. Quality of the performances varies, but most plays are worth seeing, especially the ones by Indian playwrights or directors, as they can show you an Indian (or non-western) perspective. Shows are in various languages, so it is a good idea to double-check whether the play is in English before buying or reserving (blocking) tickets. Tickets cost ₹45–100.

Movies

Take in a movie at one of the innumerable theaters around the city. Some multiplexes:

• Cinemax

• Cinepolis

  address: Royal Meenakshi Mall, Bannerghatta Rd; ETA Mall, Binny Pete; Forum Shantiniketan, Whitefield

• Gopalan Cinemas

  address: Arch Mall, Mysore Rd,
  Gopalan Mall, Mysore Road; Gopalan Mall, Near Jayadeva Hospital, Bannerghatta Road ; Gopalan Mal;, Old Madras Road, Near Baiyappanhalli Metro Station

• Inox theatre

  address: Bangalore Central, JP Nagar, Fame Cinemas, MG Road, Forum Value Mall, Whitefield, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road, Lido Mall, Ulsoor, Mantri Square, Malleshwaram, Garuda Swagath Mall, Jayanagar

• PVR Cinemas

  address: Forum Mall, Koramangala, Orion Mall, Malleshwaram, The Phoenix Market City Mall, Whitefield; Vega Mall, JD Mara signal

Other:

• The Alliance Francaise

• Bangalore Film SocietyA club membership (around ₹500/year) is typically required for entrance. Foreign film series and cultural events.

• Goethe Institute

  phone: +91 80 25205305
  address: 716, CMH Road Indiranagar 1st Stage
  The Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan Bangalore (founded in 1960) offers language courses, organises cultural events and has a Library.

• Urvashi Theatre

  address: Lalbagh Road, Bangalore
  A cool remodified theatre that allows a 1st hand experience in watching movies. One of the oldest theatres and important landmark of the City

• Sampige Theatre

  address: Sampige Road, Malleshwaram; Next to Mantri Mall
  One of the oldest theatres of Malleshwaram, and an important landmark.

Spa & massage

Massages & spas are very much a part of Bangalore's east-meets-west culture, new ones spring up across the city all the time.

• The 5th Element

  address: Inner Ring Rd
  Spa. All practitioners are from Thailand and offer authentic Thai massage, scrubs, and wraps.

• Aroma Home Spa

  address: Brookefields, ITPL Main Rd
  Natural eco-friendly products in use. Hydro therapy massage in addition to therapies suited to individual needs.

• Ayur SukhaVery nice, clean and professional spa in a nice neighborhood. 1 hr basic Ayurvedic treatment (massage and steam) is about ₹1,000.

• SPA.ce

  address: Cunningham Rd
  Run by an expat Brit offers a variety of massages, scrubs, and facials.

• Sundaythespa

  phone: +91 80-25520757
  address: No.627/628, 5th Cross Road, 15th Main, 80 Feet Road, 4th Block, Koramangala Layout
  Incorporates Ayurvedic, Indian and East Asian practices, offers professional services by well-trained staff.

Shopping districts

Bangalore provides a wide range of options for shoppers. One can buy many things ranging from clothing to electronic goods and vehicles. Being an IT city, Bangalore provides all kind of services but one might find things to be costlier.
Many visitors come to Bangalore searching only for sandalwood carvings and silk saris and so miss out on the true Bangalore shopping experience. Here is a low down on shopping - Bangalore style:

• The UB City and Vittal Mallya Road are Page-3 shopping areas. You'll find brands like Versace, Louis Vuitton, Kimaya in the UB City. Vittal Mallya 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.

• Bannerghatta RoadGrasshopper is a space that exhibits clothing designs from the most experimental designers in India and also showcases other ideas - lighting design, products, theatre, music - an open space for expression! If that's too boring, you can keep driving and you have a thousand ways that you can take to enjoy the wildlife and the myriad reservoirs strewn across the area - you can still find your very own private haven.

• Brigade Road/M.G. RoadThe 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 Bangalore; 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.

• Commercial StreetA 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 centers. The price of goods here is very competitive and it is a great place to pick a bargain.

• Sampige RoadThe heart of Malleswaram district, connecting Sheshadripuram to IISc. Sampige Road is around 2 km long, has a wide range of shops that sells books, electronic items, silk sarees, handicrafts, cloth materials, Hindu pooja materials, sweets and all the trivial things you can buy on earth. Also try Malleswaram 8th cross on Sampige road (aptly named Brigade Road of Malleswram) for a vibrant shopping experience. Sampige Road is also home to best flower market and fruits market in Bangalore. If you are tired of going to individual shops you can go to department stores such as Fabmall, Foodworld and Nilgiris.

Shopping malls

Malls typically have higher-end stores retailing apparel, footwear, and consumer electronics. Many malls also have food courts (with international cuisine) and movie theatres. Finding a parking spot for your car may not be easy though, especially on weekends.
The heart of the new mall shopping district is on Victoria Road, with malls like Garuda Mall, Bengaluru Central and Globus, all within easy walking distance.
Some of the more popular malls in Bangalore are:

• Bengaluru Central

  address: Residency Road
  Bengaluru Central is more of a large department store than a mall with separate retailers.

• Forum MallThe largest mall in Bangalore in an upscale suburb. Stores range from high international brands to traditional Indian Khadi clothing at the Khadder. The top floor of the mall contains an 11-screen cinema. For eating there is fast food and world cuisines including: Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican and Italian and Indian. The PVR Cinema hall is here too.

• Garuda MallOn the corner of McGrath and Commissariat Roads.

• Gandhi BazaarOne of the oldest shopping areas in Bangalore, Gandhi Bazaar stretches for a short kilometer or so, bordered on both sides by shops selling everything from saris and clothes to plastics and kitchen utensils, fronted by vegetable and fruit stalls.

• Jayanagar Shopping ComplexFrom antique jewelry stores, the authentic gold jewelry stores, saree stores, sweet meat stores, classic Iyengar bakeries, dress stores, and food stores that sell fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, and butter.

• LifestyleA two-story store on Victoria Road in the heart of the new mall shopping district. This was one of the most coveted stores until the malls came along. It's an easy place to go shopping when you don't want too many options to confuse you or when you're tired and don't want to visit too many shops - you can get everything under one roof here. Good for clothes, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, shoes etc. You also get stylish furniture and other home and living items for a decent price.

• Mantri SquareIn Malleswaram

• Marathahalli Main Road and Factory OutletsSome distance from central Bangalore (although not difficult to reach) is Marathahalli (a village in a previous life). The main road of this suburb is now a haven for factory outlets for all major brands. You can expect prices here to be cheaper than in the malls, at least 20-30% price difference but can be up to 50% cheaper when it comes to some of the major denim brands. As if India wasn't cheap enough. Although this is the best place to go to for factory outlet shopping, there are smaller factory outlets scattered across the city. Also look out for sales held by the major brands to get rid of end of season stock (again end of summer or end of monsoon), these are usually advertised in newspapers or look for signs posted on major roads.

• Metro shopping mall

• Safina PlazaThe sale capital of Bangalore, 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). Its best to visit during end of season sales (summer, monsoon) or during festivals (New Year, Christmas, Ganesh Chaturthi).

Markets

The traditional markets have mom-and-pop stores that sell everything from fruits, vegetables, groceries to electronics, music, and mobile phones.

• KR MarketThe city's largest vegetable and fruit market is in the heart of the city

Smaller but more lively traditional markets can be found in residential areas such as Gandhi Bazaar, N R Colony, Banashankari, Malleswaram, Jayanagar, JP Nagar & Shivajinagar.
For other food options, you can do your grocery at Nature's Basket or Spar, More, FoodWorld, options are huge, all on the 80 ft Road. At the 1st block you can find grocery shops more suited for the local residents, if you want it the traditional way!

• Ulsoor Fish Market

Individual stores

Jewellery

• C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons

  phone: +91 80 4000 1869
  address: 2-1 Main Cross Rd
  14,000 sq ft dedicated to the finest gold and diamond jewellery, spread over two floors.

• C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons-The Heritage Store

  phone: +91 80 4000 1869
  address: 35 & 36 Commercial St
  Dedicated to gold and silver.

• Giantti Luxury Ensemble

  phone: +91 80 4115 9766
  Diamond & gold jewellery along with silver articles and idols.

Handicraft

• The Cauvery Arts & Crafts Emporium

  phone: +91 80 2558 1118
  address: 45 MG 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.

• Central Cottage Industries Emporium

  address: MG Rd
  A government run store promoting traditional Indian hand crafts. The CCIE has major outlets in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai.

• Miras Carpet Industries

  phone: +91 80 4157 1894, +91 80 2521 0786
  address: No.7, Ground Floor, Suryodai Complex, Old Airport Rd, Kodihalli
  Manufacturers and exporters of carpets, rugs, kilims, Indian handicrafts, jewellery, pashmina shawls, cashmere scarfs, silk sarees, etc. Claims to be the biggest dealer of Oriental carpets and rugs in Bangalore, selling high quality and "locally priced" wares. Valet car parking available.

• Chandi - The Divine Gallery

  phone: +91 80 4112 3590
  address: MG Rd
  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.

• Kala Madhyam Store'

  address: 2nd floor, Flat No 2, Benson Town #77/8, Nandidurg Rd
  Folk and tribal art paintings, handicrafts from across India, clothing for women. Specialises in wall murals of folk and tribal art as well as terracotta.

• Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation

  phone: +91 80 2558 1118
  address: 45 K.S.H.D.C Complex, MG Rd
  Specialises in Karnataka handicraft.

• Royal Arts & Crafts

  phone: +91 80 2248 4797
  21 K.H. Rd. Has a particularly wide selection of silk carpets and paper mache products.

Bookstores

• Gangarams Book Bureau

  phone: +91 080 2512 7888
  address: #3, Church Street, 3rd Floor
  Since 1977, a destination for booklovers with books in a diverse range from academic, professional and technical to fiction and non-fiction.

• Blossoms

  phone: +91 80 255 9733
  address: Church St
  There are 3 full floors of those rare, hard to find old books. All 2nd hand, good condition and at low rates.

• The BookwormThis is a small used book store. Good bargains on used and new books are available here.

• Crossword

  phone: +91 80 2558 2411-16
  address: Residency Rd
  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.

• Elloor Library

  address: Blue Cross Chambers, Infantry Rd
  A circulating library that has a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, including new titles. Requires membership which includes a deposit.

• Gangarams Indiranagar

  phone: +91 80 4038 3838
  address: 330/9 Axis Road Domlur Inner Ring Rd. Domlur Layout. Near Indira Nagar Flyover
  A wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books, including textbooks and professional works, stationery, multimedia, movies, toys, art material and gifts.

• Gangarams Mg road

  phone: +91 80 2512 7888
  address: Triumph Tower, 2nd Floor, 48 Church St
  A wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books, including textbooks and professional works.

• Goobes Book Republic

  phone: +91 80 4112 4956
  address: 46-1-1 Church St, Karnataka
  Secondhand and new books on a wide variety of subjects and a very cost effective library option and buy back used books.

• Higginbothams

  phone: +91 80 2558 7359
  address: 68 MG Rd
  This bookstore has a good selection of maps, postcards, guides and novels.

• Landmark

  phone: +91 80 2206 7777
  address: Luskar Hosur Rd, Koramangala
  A modern bookshop. A good place to pick up the most recent publications. Various household appliances; CDs and DVDs of music albums, computer and video games (the quality varying from time-to-time) and movies can also be found on the next floor.

• Oxford Book StoreHas some of the latest collection of books and magazines but, doesn't offer any discounts. It has a Chai Bar attached offering 69 blends of tea.

• Premier Book Shop

  phone: +91 80 2558 8570
  address: 46/1 Church St
  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.

• Sapna Book House

  address: 3rd Main Rd, near Kamat Yatri Nivas, Gandhi Nagar
  This is a large bookstore, they also have branches in three other locations Sadashivnagar, Jayanagar, and Indiranagar. Sapna Book House also provides online book delivery.

• Select Bookshop

  address: Brigade Rd
  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.

• The Strand book stall

  phone: +91 80 2558 0000
  address: Dickenson Rd
  Best known for the latest releases in art, design, architecture and all at good prices.

• Streelekha

  phone: +91 80 2549 2783
  address: 33/1-9, Thyagaraja Layout, Jaibharath Nagar
  This is a great bookstore to explore the feminist literature and activism that is being produced in India, as well as other texts on the research and work of Indian NGOs. The atmosphere is relaxing and inviting.

• Tata Book HouseAt the Indian Institute of Science, Malleswaram. Has a large collection of technical books, on which it offers a flat 20 percent discount. Lots of books in a small place. Also worth visiting just because it is in IISc.

Boutiques

Apart from the numerous malls that have taken Bangalore by storm, the essential element and soul of the city comes through in its myriad small and unique boutiques that are all over the city, usually tucked away though. Have tried to list the must check out stores.

• Arnav

  phone: +91 80 2656 8416
  The quaint little jewellery store at Ashoka Pillar, Jayanagar makes for very interesting jewellery buys, a range of antique, restored, contemporary and fusion jewellery are on display. They could help you design a piece of jewellery to suit your needs, an in-house jewellery consultant could help you choose your jewellery.

• Aura Creations

  phone: +91 85 5363 7531
  address: Shop No.3, Plot No. 2 Nandagokula Layout, Shampura Main Rd
  Designer boutique with exclusive dress materials.

• Chilli Billi

  phone: +91 92 4179 9105
  Great for women's westernwear', especially the dresses, good collection of bags, shoes and jewellery. They also offer home decor solutions.

• Levitate-InDiA in A RooM

  phone: +91 80 6452 8190, +91 98 4531 7776
  address: 100 Ft. Rd
  Silver & costume handcrafted Jewellery, Bohemian apparel, Indian kitsch, lifestyle accessories.

• Mahendra Textiles

  phone: +91 80 4124 9900
  Sarees and dress materials from Surat, Mumbai, Kolkata, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala and Sri Lanka.

• Marmalade

  phone: +91 80 4122 1814
  address: Magrath Rd
  Loads of affordable young designer wear.

• Native PlaceLoads of interesting merchandise, crafts made by NGOs, c/o The Only Place Restaurant.

• One G

  phone: +91 80 4123 1231
  (Jewellery) Hatworks Boulevard, Cunningham Rd.

• President's Groom Concepts

  phone: +91 80 4147 0910
  address: B.v.k.iyengar Rd and Kamraj Rd
  Two menswear fashion stores. Fine fabrics for made-to-order and a large ready-to-wear collection. Bespoke suits and made to order clothing including tuxedos, business wear to traditional Indian kurtas and sherwanis.

• Sakhi by Chandras

  phone: +91 80 4115 5551
  address: 6th main, HAL 2nd stage, Indiranagar
  Combines traditional fabrics and craftsmanship with contemporary themes. Sakhi’s sarees, salwars and kurtis combine kanchivaram, tussar, chiffon, georgette, crêpe, organza and cotton with traditional techniques such as cut work, block print, kalamkari, badla, mirror work, chamki (sequins) and embroidery in a mélange of colours.

• Stritva near ITPL

  phone: +91 963 222 1615
  address: 294, 8th main, BEML Layout, ITPL Main Rd
  Sells readymade salwar suit, kameez, kurtas, dress material, sarees and nightwear. The store has a good collection at good prices.

Music and movies

• Habitat

  address: Church Street, Off Brigade Road
  Tiny compared to other retail music/movie stores, it's a delight for lovers of good music especially Jazz. Has an excellent and varied selection of DVDs for rent as well, though membership is closed.

Electronics

The Croma electronics showroom is opposite Lifestyle Mall. eZone, Reliance Digital, Pai, Sony, Panasonic electronics showrooms are all within the kilometre from here. So this is the ideal location if you want to do a survey before making your next expensive LCD/LED TV purchase.

Hinduism

• The Art of Living

  phone: +91 80 67262626, +91 80 6726262627, +91 80 6726262628
  address: Art of Living International Center, Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth,21st Km, Kanakapura Road, Udayapura
  The campus is also the focal point of many service projects such as rural development and education, organic farming initiatives, scientific research into the benefits of ‘Sudarshan Kriya’ While at the ashram, one cannot miss the Satsangs that are held every evening. Satsangs are gatherings where scattered minds unite through music, meditation, and wisdom to experience a higher state of consciousness. People from all over the world who know different languages participate in the singing of bhajans, or the repetitive chanting of a word or a verse.

• ISKCON

  phone: +91 80-23471956, +91 80-23578346
  address: ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna-Chandra Temple,Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Rd
  The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple in Bangalore city is huge cultural complex that was inaugurated in 1997 to carry out the vision of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, to promote Vedic culture and spiritual learning. ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna-chandra Mandir attracts visitors from different parts of the world and it is more than a place of rituals. However, due to the huge flow of foreign visitors, it has mostly become a heavily commercialized place and less of a religious center.

Buddhism

• Choe Khor Sum Ling

  phone: +91 80 41486497
  address: Ashwini, No. 24, 1st Floor, Domlur Layout
  This Tibetan Buddhist meditation and study centre is in Domlur Layout near Shanti Sagar Restaurant on Airport Road. CKSL is a center for the study and practice of Mahayana Buddhism following the lineage and example of Lord Buddha. The Centre, whose name means 'The Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma' was founded in 2003 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche under the guidance of HH the XIVth Dalai Lama. The Centre offers courses in various Buddhist meditation techniques and teachings on different aspects of Buddhism. Teachings are offered free to the public and are conducted in English or in Tibetan (with translation in English). In addition to regular teachings, every few weeks the Centre invites senior Lamas to give talks on important aspects of the Buddhist path. Such talks are also accompanied by instructions and initiations by the Lama into different meditation practices.

• Maha Bodhi Society

  phone: +91 80 2250684
  address: 14 Kalidasa Road, Gandhinagar
  This temple has a very active schedule. There are teachings on the Dharma in English on the first two and last Sundays of every month from 9:30-11:30AM, while on the 3rd Sunday there is a meditation retreat. Anyone is welcome to attend. The temple also has a good library and a beautiful garden - a great place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis outside.

• Thubten Lekshey Ling

  phone: +91 98 80296930
  Nyingma Tibetan Buddhist meditation centre founded by the late His Holiness Pema Norbu (Penor) Rinpoche. The centre is close to MG Road on Ulsoor road, on the side of Manipal Centre. The centre conducts meditation classes, spiritual discourses and advanced study programs. Weekend teachings in meditation and philosophy are offered by lamas from Namdroling Monastery, Bylakupee.

Indians

The best way to find employment in Bangalore is through job fairs, job portals, applying directly to companies of interest, and through headhunters.

Being referred as Silicon Valley of India, the city provides plethora of employment opportunities to youngsters from different corners of India.

Non-Indians

With a little hard work and persistence finding a job is quite possible in Bangalore. Most of the available positions are in the IT field but not necessarily IT based. Several expats do marketing, quality assurance, accent training and translation among other things. All jobs in India require an employment visa which must be obtained abroad and sponsored by the hiring company in India. In general, the salary for expats is very high compared to the local Indian wage. The best resource for jobs is through the expat community. Ask around but a good place to meet expats is the Sunday brunches at the 5-star hotels or at the numerous coffee shops in and around the MG Road area.

Bangalore has a wide variety of food options. Foreigners will want to look for cleanliness in choosing a place to eat. Also don't expect the exterior to be too fancy, observe the cleanliness of the inside and the servers when choosing a place to eat! Eating options include high end restaurants to chains to temples to mom and pop shops and of course street vendors! Restaurants usually label if they serve only vegetarian(veg or pure veg) or both veg and non-veg cuisine. If you haven't been in India long, it is safer to take bottled water. But juices and other drinks are usually ok.
There are also hundreds of young coconut and sugar cane juice stands! A nice refresher as you go around town! Both are good for keeping cool and energized. A coconut goes for ₹25- 30 (some stands may have smaller coconuts for ₹10-15). Sugar cane juice runs ₹10-15 per cup.
Bangalore is far from the sea, and as such the quality of seafood can vary. Some of the higher end and popular seafood places
manage this well, but foreign travellers may want to tread a bit carefully.
Foreigners might want to only drink bottled water and eat only chutneys that are made with bottled or filtered water. Also, beef is forbidden to be on the menu in Karnataka restaurants.
The 80 ft. Road is the Eat Street of Koramangala. Pizza Hut, Domino's, KFC, Taco Bell, Au Bon Pain are all found here. There are also many non-chains serving local Indian cuisine. Chandni Chowk is a great option if you want the rural Punjabi dhaba experience.
Wisdom Cafe, near the AlienWare showroom is a really cosy place to have some snacks or lunch. So is the Hole in the Wall cafe, on the back street behind Maharaja Hotel. Serves great coffee and English breakfast. So does Cafe Terra, near Wipro park crossing. Adjacent to it is a really popular food join called Little Home. It serves nice North Indian food at a very reasonable price. It's really popular with the young working populace. Naturals Ice cream parlour is a hit with the hip crowd; on weekend nights you may find queues outside.

Budget

Bangalore has hundreds of fast food joints serving South Indian vegetarian food. They usually are identified with small round steel tables and diners standing around them having food. Dosas, idlis, vada's, curd rice, Vegetable Pulao, rice with sambar, lemon rice are usually standard fare. Quality widely varies, since most of them cater to working people.

• The Adiga's chainRestaurants to the south of Bangalore. Prominent among them are in: Jayanagar 4th Block, take the road facing BHS First Grade College, Basavanagudi.

• Adiga's Park

  address: 585, 10th Main, 42nd cross, 5th Block Jayanagar

• Adiga's Foodline

  address: 502, 40th Cross, 8th block

• Adiga's Delicacy

  address: 105 Dickenson's road, Manipal Centre

• Adiga's Majestic

  address: (next to Fkcci Bldg), KG Rd

• Adiga's Nalapaka

  address: (across from HSBC Complex), Bannerghatta, Arikere

Anupams Coastal Express

address: Shivanand Circle

They make fantastic fish dishes. Neer Dosa with Chicken Pulimunchi, kori roti and chicken ghee roast are some things you really cannot miss.

Brahmin's Coffee Bar

phone: +91 87226 64284

Famous for idly, vada and its delicious chutney. You also get khaarabath. Don't expect sambar for the vada here.

Central Tiffin Room(CTR)

phone: +91 80 2331 7531

address: 152, 7th Cross, 3rd Main, Margosa Rd, Malleswaram

Another landmark hotel, dishing out some divine 'Benne masala dosa', which literally melts in the mouth. Famous for its Butter Masala Dosa.

Coconut Grove

address: Church St

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.

Corner House

phone: +91 80 2558 3262

address: Residency Rd, BTM Rd, Koramangala, Airport Rd, Whitefield Rd, Marthahalli and Shivananda Circle

One of the best ice cream parlours offering a variety of treats. Their famed 'Death by Chocolate' (popularly known as DBC) is a must for all chocolate lovers and has attained a cult status. Can be tricky to find a spot during peak times and you may find yourself being 'encouraged' by the staff to leave quickly once you do.

FanoosOne of the joints for getting sheekh (beef) rolls in Bangalore. 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.

Hotel Empire

phone: +91 80 40 414141

address: 14 Pottery Road Richards Town

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.

Hotel Janatha

address: 8th Cross Rd, Malleswaram

Makes some of the best vada sambhar and masala dosa in town.

Indian Coffee House

address: Infantry Road

Janani, J.P.NagarA great place to have breakfast, lunch or dinner, you can have idli and sambar for ₹10 and a cup of tea for ₹8, a north Indian roti curry for ₹32. If you want to have good Punjabi food, go upstairs and get a good meals under ₹150.

Java

phone: +91 80 4137 8888

G block of Diamond District apartment complex in Kodalli on the old Airport Rd. A hidden gem that serves buffet lunch and dinner for ₹150 on weekdays, ₹250 on weekends (prices 2008). The buffet consists of North and South Indian dishes and caters to vegetarians and to non-vegetarians. Reasonably priced (₹90-120 entree) a-la-carte selection is available outside of lunch and dinner hours.

Kanti SweetsKG Rd, Majestic, Malleswaram Circle, RT Nagar. Very good samosas, kachoris and North Indian sweets like rasmalai. Rapidly expanding chain, so there are plenty of branches all over the city now, which serve parathas and other food items as well. The main branch in Majestic is the best, and serves only samosas, kachoris and sweets. ₹10-50 per head.

KC DasThis is a chain of Bengali sweets shops in Bangalore. The one on Church St is perhaps the most visible and famous but there are outlets on Coles Rd, BTM Layout.

Kohinoor

address: Brigade Rd

Serves very reasonably priced Kerala Muslim style food.

Lake View Milk Bar

phone: +91 80 2558 7410

address: MG Rd

Excellent ice creams, club sandwiches and burgers.

Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR)

phone: +91 80 2222 0022, +91 80 22221706

address: 11 Lal Bagh Rd

One of the very old traditional breakfast places in Bangalore. There are a few people who have been having their breakfast at MTR everyday for the past 15 years. Closed between 2:45-3:30PM. Expect a long wait on weekends. Traditional 12-course Karnataka lunches are also available here for around ₹90 per head. Advance reservations recommended at weekends. Rava idlis, dosas and bisi bele bath are excellent. It has maintained its quality over the years and is very famous. It is on the road perpendicular to Lal bagh main gate.

NandiniThe Andhra fast food chain serves some excellent biriyani and chicken dishes.

New Shanti Sagar

address: 80 Foot Rd

This is an reasonably reliable chain of vegetarian south Indian restaurants. Branches scattered all over the city, notably in Koramangala Jayanagar, Domlur. ₹50-200.

Richies

address: MM Rd

Serves the kind of biryani that is the Bangalore 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.

Savera Tea Shop24 hr tea shops near Russell Market in Shivajinagar and on MG Rd. Good place to go for a cup of tea in the dead of the night. Serves tea, Suleimani (honey+lemon) tea and a variety of biscuits. ₹3-15

Shettara BeediThe entire street adjoining the famous VB Bakery at V V Puram is Bangalore's miniature version of Kuala Lumpur's Jalan Alor foodstalls. A haven for anyone who enjoys hawker fare, one can stall-hop and have a variety of snacks that'll satisfy even the most ravenous hunger and spend less than ₹100 in total. Some of the must-try dishes are dum-root and butter-bun congress at VB Bakery. The dosas, obbattu (sweet pancake), akkirotti (rice pancake), fried bondas, butter-gulkand, and masala-pepsi available at the various stalls are also delicious. The street comes alive only in the evenings (after 6PM) and that only vegetarian fare is available here.

Shezan

phone: +91 80 2224 9319, +91 80 2224 9667

address: Lavelle Rd and Cunningham Rd

Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisines with a good menu choice where beef, fish, prawn, mutton and chicken meat are available. Excellent steaks.

Shiv Sagar

phone: +91 80 509-8892

address: Narayan Pillai St

Don't get put off by the location, It's a great place to eat.

SLV chainProminent among them are in: Banashankari 2nd stage, opposite BDA park and the one in J.P.Nagar 2nd Phase near Ragigudda Temple

Sree KrishnaFast food a little further from the road connecting Lalbagh Westgate with Basavanagudi.

Udupi Garden

address: 16th Main BTM Layout

Simple Udupi restaurant. Serves very good south Indian dishes at nominal prices. Also serves north Indian food.

Upahara Darshini

address: DVG Rd, Basavanagudi

Another of Bangalore's new found Darshinis dishing out top notch masala dosa and Vada Sambhar.

Veena Stores

address: Margosa Rd, 15 Cross, Malleswaram

This place has some of the best Idlis and Vadas in this part of the world. They also make other dishes but Idli and Vada are mainstay. Don't expect to sit and eat because there is no seating. Stand and eat. Best time to go is mornings for breakfast before they run out of the day's stock. Try before 8AM although they are open some part of the day and evening.

Vidhyarthi BhavanA gastronomic haven offering some of the best masala dosa in the world. This quaint little place is so famous that it has not even bothered to change its age-old sign board, and who needs it anyway, the aroma wafting through the air is a good enough indication that you are in the vicinity of the place. Get there early for a breakfast, there's always a bee-line for places to sit.

Mid-range

• 100ft Restaurant

  address: 100 Foot Rd
  Indra Nagar. Westernised cooking, but notably better than any other pasta serving restaurant in the area. The restaurant is a bit of a hybrid of store/restaurant. ₹300-500.

• Alibaba Cafe & Restaurant

  phone: +91 80 4091 7163
  Frazer Town. Arabian, Persian and Bhatkali cuisine described as "An Arabian Lake in the Indian Ocean". A themed restaurant with the feel of Arabia, Persia and India. The "Shaiya Biryani" of the Bhatkali cuisine, the Al faham chicken barbeque out of the Arabian cuisine and the chicken Jujeh kabab from the Persian cuisine are all recommended.

• Caesar's Restaurant

  address: MG Rd
  Indian and continental food. Ambiance is good though the food is tad expensive. Parking is a problem.

• Canopy

  address: PU Building, M.G. Rd
  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

• Ebony

  address: MG Rd
  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

• The Egg Factory

  phone: +91 80 4211 0041
  address: St.Marks Rd
  Multi-cuisine, The menu, as the name suggests, is all based on the indispensable egg. Its 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 omelttes, 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.

• Grill Maximus

  address: 17th cross 4 main HSR Layout
  Famous for the Mediterranean cuisine.Also serve Arabian Indian and Italian Food. Only A la carte menu is available. ₹200-500

• Koshy's

  address: St. Marks Rd
  A Bangalore 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.

• Little Italy

  address: 100 Foot Rd
  Indiranagar. A chic Italian vegetarian restaurant, faddish and over priced. Sometimes the staff switch off A/C if the tables are less than half-filled.

• Mainland China

  phone: +91 80 2227 7722, +91 90 2224 5864
  address: Church St
  Upscale Chinese food. Good, fairly authentic food and excellent service. Serves a decent lunch buffet. Also new outlet on 100ft Road, Indiranagar. ₹500-800.

• Pinxx

  address: Manipal centre
  A great place for Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet. ₹200-400 per head.

• Le Rock Pub Cafe

  phone: +91 80 4123 1001
  address: Rest House Rd
  Hot coffee to chilled Kingfisher beer on the tap awesome cocktails and even hand rolled Havana cigars. Salads, sandwiches, jacket baked potatoes to entrees. LRC also offers an Oxy Bar, Bangalore's first.

• Sahib Sindh Sultan

  phone: +91 80 2206 7878
  address: Level 2, Forum Mall, Hosur Rd, Koramangala
  Train-themed restaurant with a delicious, upscale menu. It is supposed to showcase NWFP. Their kakori kebabs are excellent. It also serves wine with the food. Expect a long wait. Or book ahead and roam around the mall or grab a few drinks from the adjoining Firangi Paani. ₹150-500

• Samarkand

  phone: +91 80 4111 3366
  address: Gem Plaza, 66, Infantry Rd
  North West frontier food (i.e., kebabs, Afghani) in a kitschy atmosphere but the food is great. You will need to book on weekends. ₹300-600.

• Sue's Food Place

  address: Krishna Temple Rd, Indira Nagar
  A Caribbean style restaurant run by Sue (Susan John from Trinidad and Tobago). It has an excellent buffet. Their Jamaican jerk chicken, salads and desserts are lovely. A la carte menu is available on certain days. ₹200-500

Splurge

• Bengaluru

  phone: +91 80 3910 1000, +91 80 3910 1111
  address: La Classic Hotel Extraordinaire, Plot# 158, Yadavanahalli, Hosur Main road, Attibele
  The only fine dining multi-cuisine restaurant outside Electronic City and on the way to Hosur caters to buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner apart from a selection from an international menu.

• Blue Ginger

  address: Taj West End
  High-end Vietnamese restaurant with a beautiful setting and excellent food.

• Cafe Mozaic

  address: 41/3 MG Rd
  Western-style dining in a casual atmosphere with some pool-side seating. Sundays before 3:30PM, there is an all-you-can-eat/drink champagne brunch for ₹1,000.

• Grasshopper

  phone: +91 80 2659-3999, +91 98 4545-2646
  address: 45 Kalena Agrahara, Bannerghata Rd
  Freshly prepared seven course meal served on the table. Reservation required. Closed on Mondays.

• Graze

  address: Taj Residency, MG Rd
  Has some of the best creative continental you will get in Bangalore.

• I.Talia

  address: Park Hotel, Opposite 1 MG, Old Madras Rd
  Has the best Italian food in town

• Karavalli

  phone: +91 80 2558-4545
  address: Residency Rd
  Mangalorean, Goa, Karwar, and Kerala style cuisine. Best Indian food you will get when visiting BLR.

• The Leela Palace Bengaluru DiningAll-you-can-eat/drink brunch on Sunday is ₹2,000. They have 4 restaurants, Citrus Lounge (Brasserie kitchen), Zen (Pan Asian), Library Bar (serves all cuisine) and Jamavar (Authentic Indian). Generally overpriced compared to the Taj outlets (Blue Ginger, Graze, Karavalli)

• Monsoon

  address: Park Hotel, Old Madras Rd
  24 hr cafe with a variety of Continental Dishes, Indian, South East Asian and Mediterranean. Ideal location for private parties.

• Olive Beach

  address: Wood St
  A long time favourite that will serve you Italian meats and cheese in a nice setting, this is still among Bangalore's best.

• The Raj Pavilion

  address: ITC Windsor Manor, Golf Course Rd.
  24/7 restaurant that offers the taste of the British Raj. Anglo-Lucknowi, Far East and Continental cuisine is served. Amongst the best in Bangalore.

• Sunny's

  phone: +91 80 5132-9366, +91 80 5132-9391
  address: 34 Vittal Mallya Rd
  Among the best restaurants in Bangalore. Try the starters, salads and pasta is fine here. Hot sandwiches for lunch. Also has a branch at Indira Nagar.

Regional cuisine

• Kadambam

  address: Bull Temple Road, near Ramakrishna Ashram; West of Chord Rd

• Kamat Yatrnivas

  address: Gandhinagar; Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi
  Serves special N Karnataka meals with jowar (Sorghum) rotis. They now have a branch on Bull Temple Road where they have local artists perform when you have dinner.

• Maiya's

  phone: +91 80 4341 4400
  address: 30th Cross Rd, Jayanagar 4 Block; 11th Cross Malleshwaram; Sajjan Rao Circle, Basavanagudi
  Features a great amount of South Indian cuisine, and then lets you buy some more to take home. And in case that you don't like it, there are more places upstairs that have different cuisine (Jayanagar branch only).

• MTR 1924

  address: Mini Forest, JP Nagar; St. Marks Road; Indiranagar;
  New age chain from the folks who run Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) on Lalbagh Road.

• Nalapaka

  address: Rajajinagar
  Serves special N Karnataka meals with jowar (Sorghum) rotis, Holige (stuffed sweet rotis). Known for the distinctive Butter Dosa and different varieties of coconut chutneys.

• South Indies

  phone: +91 80 4163 6363, +91 80 4163 6362
  address: Indiranagar; Infantry Rd
  An upscale South Indian restaurant in Bangalore, that gives you a taste of authentic south Indian cuisine in an ambience that is equally tasteful.

• UpSouth

  phone: +91 80 2266 7378
  address: Mantri Square, Mallesharam; Orion Mall, Malleshwaram; Ecospace, Bellandur; 60 ft. Road, Koramangala
  A quick service restaurant with an upbeat, contemporary look. Be it the vibrant, youthful interiors or the presentation of food in the form of combos, Upsouth is all set to break the dull clutter.

European

• Cafe Y

  phone: +91 80 5114 4561
  address: Langford Rd
  Amazing sizzlers and steaks, nice ambiance.

• Friends Fast Food

  address: Jyoti Nivas College Rd, Koramangala
  Great Conti food at college prices. Casa Picola fans will like this one.

• Herbs & Spices

  address: 80 Foot Rd
  On. Great pasta, pizza, and desserts.

Maharashtrian food

• Kollapuri's

  phone: +91 80 4121 1693, +91 80 2653 5207
  address: 429/31 30th Cross, 4th Block Jaya Nagar
  An authentic Maharashtrian hotel run by Savaji. It serves bhakri, chapati and "Sheckle Edme" special Savaji stuffed roti with spicy sabjis and meat or other non veg items

• Rajvardhan Foods

  phone: +91 98 8630 3088, +91 98 8630 3089
  address: 1291 25th Main Road, 9th Block Jaya Nagar East
  Best known for its vadapav, sabudana vada, khichdi. It also offers bhakri, thalipeeth. The snacks and other food offered here is comparatively expensive. This is because it is Bangalore's only authentic Maharashtrian food outlet. It also serves food fresh, only prepared after placing the order, so the wait and price is compensated. The food quality is excellent.

Odia food

• Dalama

  phone: +91 80 4166 0921
  address: #37, 6th block, Koramangala, 100 ft Rd
  Authentic Odia cuisine including vegetable curries, chapati, meat, fish, prawn, crab and chicken delicacies.

South Karnataka

• Halli Mane

  address: 3rd Cross, Malleswaram
  Truly authentic and traditional Kannada style food.

• Janatha Hotel

  address: 8th Cross, Malleshwaram
  Another great place, famous for its butter masala dosas and vadas.

• Kamat Lokaruchi

  address: Mysore Rd
  Amazing food and ambience. Authentic Mangalorean meals.

• Kamat Yatrinivas

  address: Majestic; All around the city
  Authentic Mangalorean meals.

• Karavalli

  phone: +91 80 2558 4545
  address: Residency Rd
  Mangalorean, Goa, Karwar, and Kerala style cuisine.

• Konkan

  phone: +91 80 2552 1530
  address: 6th cross, 6th Block, Koramangala
  Mangalorean and Goan style cuisine.

• Kodial's

  address: 8th Cross Malleswaram
  For authentic vegetarian Konkani cuisine.

• Kudla

  address: Ramanashree Comforts, Richmond Rd
  For seafood, serves excellent dishes.

• New Krishna Bhavan

  address: 1st Cross Malleswaram
  For authentic Mangalorean food, reasonably priced. Try the neer dosa and badam halwa.

• The Palms

  phone: +91 80 2559 7172
  address: 33 Church St
  Mangalorean, Coorgi, and Malabari style. (shut for renovations)

• Upaahara Darshini

  address: Jayanagar 3rd Block; DVG Road, Gandhi Bazaar
  One of Bangalore's oldest food joints. Amazing dosas.

• Vidyarthi Bhavan

  phone: +91 80 2667 7588
  address: 32 Gandhi Bazaar
  Another very old and traditional breakfast place, exclusively known for its Masala Dosa. Similar to MTR, you can find people who have been having breakfast here since times immemorial.

Bengali

• 6 Ballygunge Place

  address: 1st Fl., 612, 12th Main, Indira Nagar
  It has been rated best Bengali restaurant by times food guide Bengaluru. It serves excellent fish (esp their chital peti roast), dab chingri and luchis. (Its mocktails are avoidable however). Prices are slightly on higher side. May cost around ₹1,000 for two but the food quality is good. The owners have also added Calcutta-style chaat on top floor.

• 36 Chowringhee Lane

  phone: +91 80 4124 0979
  address: 100ft Rd, BTM Layout
  Authentic Bengali Cuisine.

• Bangaliana

  phone: +91 80 2571 1058
  address: 355, 1st 'B' Main, 7th Block, Koramangala
  Authentic Bengali Delicacies (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) Restaurant, Take-away, Catering. Specialities: fish, mutton chicken and, of course, sweets.

• Bhojohori Manna

  phone: +91 80 2550 3666
  address: 668/B 6th Block, Koramangala Club Rd
  Free home delivery

• The Esplanade

  phone: +91 80 4092 7878
  address: KHB Colony
  Offers authentic Bengali cuisine. They also have a continental menu.

• Oh! Calcutta

  address: St Mark's Rd
  Part of a chain of restaurants across the country, and the best Bengali food available in the city albeit pricier than the other options.

• Sonar Bangla

  phone: +91 80 3367622
  address: 88/1, Shubh Arcade, 1st floor, 16th Cross, Margosa Rd, Malleswaram
  The restaurant undertakes orders of authentic Bengali food for gourmets who fancy a whole meal and also delivers it at the doorstep. Fish is considered sacred in the coastal state and is consumed universally. So, all fish lovers can take heart as the non-vegetarian cuisine is delivered, but not served at the restaurant.

Andhra

• Bheemas

  address: Church St
  If you have the penchant for spice this place is meant for you.

• Nagarjuna Chimney

  address: Residency Rd; Jayanagar 3rd Block
  Possibly have a few more branches elsewehere in Bangalore. The biryani is great, as are their meals which are served ritually on a banana leaf. Reach early for lunch, for there are always hordes waiting.

• R₹

  address: off Brigade Rd
  A renovation of the vintage R₹, 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.

Tamil

• Anjappar Restaurant

  address: #50, 100 Ft. Road, 4th Block Kormangala
  Chettinad cuisine

• Annachi

  address: 100 Ft. Road, Indiranagar
  Serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Has some good chettinad style dishes.

• Annapoorna

  address: Ulsoor
  Pure vegetarian food in Tamil style.

• Krishna Kafe

  address: Koramangala
  Traditional Chennai-style food. Dosas, idlis, idiyappam and the like with authentic Tamil sambar and chutney. This place is vegetarian-only. A vegetarian meal will cost you around ₹80.

• Pongal

  address: Jivan Bima Nagar
  Tamil Nadu food. Lots of dosa varieties, Podi dosa, parotta with kurma are good. Ambience is not that great, but this place is for those who need a quick bite without a big pinch on the wallet.

• Ponnuswamy

  phone: +91 80 4151 1919
  address: Koramangala
  Authentic south Tamil nadu food. Try the biryani and sukka fry. No alcohol or smoking. Also at Residency Rd., next to Imperial Hotel.

Ice Cream Parlours

• Corner House

  phone: +91 96861 91973
  address: 1 Airport Rd; All around the city
  Carlton Towers. This is the place for foodies looking for the best desserts in town. The "brown bomb" and "hot fudge" are a must have. Not a place for calorie counters.

• ibaco

  address: Basavanagudi; Basaveshwara Nagar; BTM Layout; Coles Road; Indira Nagar; Jayanagar; Koramangala; Mantri Square; Phoenix Mall; RR Nagar; Wood Street; Yelahanka

• Naturals Ice Cream

  address: Indiranagar; Koramangala; Sarjapur; Dollars Colony, RMV Extension; St. Marks Road; Jayanagar; Basaveshwaranagar; Frazer Town; Malleshwaram; Arekere

• Pabrai's Fresh and Naturalle Ice Cream

  phone: +91 80 6453 0000
  address: Wood Street, Ashok Nagar

• Phalaamritha Ice Cream Parlour

  phone: +91 80 6567 5755
  address: 8th Cross, 14/1 West Park Road,Malleswaram
  Serves 25 super smooth home-made ice cream flavours along with health drinks, varieties of kulfis, milk shakes, ice tea, ice cream, novelties and chaats.

• Richie Rich Ice Cream Parlour

  phone: +91 80 2226 9655
  Three branches around the city, with a variety of natural ice creams, softies and many fast food items such as pav bhaji and vada pav.. Try the 'Elvis Presley' specialty or the traffic jam or 'Richie Rich' special. The 3 locations are on St. Marks Rd, Airport Rd. and Kumara Park East.

• Swensen's

  phone: +91 80 4117 8235
  address: Mantri Square, Malleshwaram; 80 ft. Road, Koramangala; 60 ft. Road, Sahakara Nagar; Ascendas Park Square Mall, Whitefield; Bangalore Central, Bellandur; BDA Complex, HSR Layout; J.P.Nagar (Marenhalli); Jayanagar
  The ultimate sundae experience.

• Yogi's

  phone: +91 98 4584 9025, +91 98 4539 7363
  address: #86, 21st Main, Banashankari 2nd Stage
  The "Sakkat Burger" and "Sakkat Mexican" are a must have. Wide range of burgers, sandwiches, ice creams, shakes and sundaes available.

North Indian

• Bay Leaf

  address: Raheja Arcade, opposite Forum Mall, Kormangala
  A really nice place with reasonable prices.

• Grameen

  address: Raheja Arcade, opposite Forum Mall, Kormangala
  One of the best places to have good vegetarian North Indian food.

• Hyderabadi biriyani

  address: Banerghatta Rd
  Serves good biriyani

• Mast Kalandar

  address: All around the city
  Very nice North India cuisine. It is very reasonably priced.

• Queens

  address: Church Street, opposite Amoeba
  Small restaurant but great food at reasonable prices.

• Rasilas

  address: JP Nagar 7 Phase, Shreyas Colony
  Nice place with very fine cuisine.

• Tijouri

  phone: +91 80 2220 5205
  address: Hotel Atria, Palace Rd

Italian

• 100 ft Boutique

  phone: +91 80 4150 1781
  address: 100 Foot Rd, Indira nagar
  Comparable to most continental resto-bars. The best part about it is that its a Boutique Restaurant, which means you can shop, while waiting for your meal to arrive, even after 9PM, which is when most other shops close in Banglaore. The Boutique houses many young designers. Levitate, showcases a wide array of eclectic street fashion and handcrafted kitsch from all over India.

• I-Talia

  phone: +91 80 2559 4666
  address: The Park, MG Rd
  Expensive, but arguably the best Italian food in town.

• Italia (previously Little Italy)

  address: Indiranagar
  Nice vegetarian restaurant in Indira Nagar, a little expensive. Good food.

• Via Milano

  address: Koramangala
  Authentic Italian food. 3 course meal for 2 will cost an average of ₹2,000, (wine not included).

Chinese

• Beijing BitesChain restaurant inspired by Chinese & Thai cuisines, spread across Bangalore.

• Caesar's Multi Cuisine Restaurant

  address: Mahalakshmi Chambers, 9/2, MG Rd.
  Variety of tasty food. Classic environment.

• Golden Lights

  phone: +91 80 2559 7722
  address: No.4032, 100ft Rd, HAL-II Stage, Indranagar

• Shanghai Junction

  phone: +91 80 41744477
  address: No.8, Sri Sai, 60 Foot. Rd, G Block, Sahakarnagar

• Mainland China

  address: Church St; 100 Foot Rd. Indiranagar

• P!ing

  address: No. 130, 1st Cross, 5th Block, Koramangala
  Includes a dessert bay. Dim sum, sensible portions, good prices.

Kerala

• BigBoy Fried Chicken, (BFC)

  address: Vignan Nagar

• Coconut Grove

  address: Church Street

• Continental Spice

  address: Airport Rd

• Gokulam Mess

  address: GM Palya

• Hotel New Malabar

  address: Kaggadasapura

• Hotel Ruchi

  address: Vignana Nagar

• K K Bakers

  address: Malleshpalaya

• Kaayal

  address: AECS Layout; Jeevan Bhima Nagar

• Kairali

  address: Near Forum Mall, Koramangala

• Kalavara

  address: Vignana Nagar

• Kerala Pavilion

  address: Domlur
  Authentic Kerala food

• Little Home

  address: 80 ft. Road, Koramangala
  Very good south and central Kerala food. Bad service though.

• The Paramount Restaurant

  address: Koramangala

• Priyam Restaurant

  address: Jagadish Nagar

• Tharavadu

  address: Bommanahalli, Hosur Rd

• Vayal

  address: Outer ring road(around Central mall)

Dhabas

• There are few dhabas catering to all tastes. South and North Indian fare is available at most places and is clean and cheap. A special mention is the green park dhaba on the outskirts on Bellary Road and Golconda Chimney on the old airport road in Marthahalli, opposite Shankara Eye Hospital. Golconda Chimmney has been renovated and has A/C and non-A/C sections, the non-veg spread is simply amazing, but the rates are steep if you have a traditional dhaba in mind. The ambience is nice. Try the chicken kathi rolls and the biryani.

• Bobby-da-Dhaba

  phone: +91 96 6367 8382
  address: Near Lavanya Theatre, St John's Road, Near Ulsoor
  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).

• Manjit ka Dhaba

  phone: +91 80 4965 3065
  address: 107, 1st Floor, Wheeler Road, Near Railway Cross, Cox Town, Frazer Town
  Budget dhaba. Tasty parathas (with butter) and couple of assorted vegetable curry options. Lassi. Dont expect ambience in dhabas.

• In Koramangala, Legends of Rock is near the Pizza Hut on 80 ft. Road.
• Also great is the Jimi's Beer Cafe nearby, has a really nice ambience.
• Firangi Paani at Forum Mall is a nice but expensive option.
• Costa Coffee, Barista and CCD have their presence near Maharaja Hotel. Young working people spend a lot of their time here. You can get a truly multi national multi cultural feeling as there are several restaurants serving Spanish, Italian, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Mexican food. Hence, it is really popular with expatriates.
• The area around Jyoti Nivas college is a popular hangout for the college going crowd, with a lot of eateries and cafes in the area. This area has a very hip/ fashionable feel to it.

Cafes

• Barista Lavazza

  phone: +91 80 4207 5023
  An Indian startup cafe chain established in 1997 and more commonly known as Barista and now owned by Lavazza. The chain has more than 200 stores in India. It is found all over Bangalore with 32 retail outlets, most of them near IT corporate offices.

• Café Coffee Day

  phone: +91 80 4001 2345
  Popularly known as CCD. First established in 1996, at Brigade Road, Bangalore, the chain has over 1,000 cafes throughout India. It is found all over Bangalore.

• Caffe Pascucci

  phone: +91 80 4091 2134
  address: 690/A, 15 Cross Road, 14th Main Road, Phase II, J P Nagar
  Italian coffee chain brand. In 2010, Pascucci set up its own coffee retail shop in India with 10 outlets in Bangalore at prominent localities like Jayanagar, JP Nagar, MG Road, Malleshwaram and Indiranagar.

• Cake Walk

  phone: +91 80 2520 5393
  address: #297, 100 Feet Rd, Indra Nagar

• Coffee Workers Co-op

  address: Church St's Brigade Gardens
  A venerable Bangalore 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.

• Coffee World

  phone: +91 80 4111 2111, +91-9845296898
  Can be found all over Bangalore.

• Costa Coffee

  phone: +91 80 4348 8888
  British coffeehouse chain. Koramangala 4th Block, in Indranagar and another opposite Goethe-Institut, RMZ Eco Space on Sarjapur Rd and Sigma Mall, Brookesfield, Cunningham Rd, JNC Rd, and Jayanagar. Besides Coffee, Costa lays heavy emphasis on food with sandwiches, paninis, tostatos, pastas and many kinds of deserts, English muffins, a wide variety of cakes and desserts.

• Java City

  address: Church St.
  Pleasant old Bangalore 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.

• Travel on Menu CaféPopular for TOM Coffee.

Pubs and bars

The pub scene is concentrated around the commercial business district in the heart of Bangalore. MG Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road, St. Marks Road, and Church Street have numerous pubs. Happy hours is typically between 6-8PM and at most pubs, the time for the last order is around 10:30PM.
Formerly having a reputation as the Pub City of India, Bangalore's buoyant pub and nightlife has been curtailed by police and regulatory action, and all bars and nightclubs must now close no later than 11:30PM.

Budget

Most bars and pubs in the city are somewhat upscale, but many inexpensive restaurants serve beer and good quality food.
If you just need to go out you could go to one of the bars, but if you would like to have a great social experience and are in the city for a considerable period of time consider becoming a member of one of the social expat clubs in the city. The IVES Club offers a meeting for its members every Saturday at one or the other popular nightclubs in Bangalore; its members are interns, expats, volunteers and exchange students residing in the city.

Mid-range

• Beer Joint Pub, (aka BJP)

  phone: +91 80 2525 0346
  address: Indiranagar

• Bull n Bush

  address: 4th floor, Garuda Mall
  Plays hip hop, house and occasionally trance.

• Carpe Diem

  address: Church St
  It's a Power Metal haven.

• Ego's

  address: Castle Street, off Brigade Rd

• J'Cubez

  address: Banashankari 2nd Stage, opp. BDA complex
  For rock lovers

• Jimi's

  address: Residency Road, Koramangala 80ft. Rd
  A nice dark cozy bar along with Rock music and video. Best visited during weekends and is not hard on your pocket.

• Le Rock Pub Cafe

  phone: +91 80 4123 1001
  address: Rest House Rd
  The latest watering hole in Bangalore. Rock music across the board screened on large plasma panels; every song can not only be heard but seen as well. Coffee, Kingfisher beer, cocktails, food and Bangalore's first oxy bar.

• Legends of Rock

  phone: +91 80 4130 3232
  address: 80 Foot Rd, 6th Block,Koramangala
  Watch the Legends perform on large format TVs.

• Lock N'Load Pub (The Texan Pub)

  phone: +91 80 4070 3703, +91 80 2354 6162
  address: Chairman's Resort, Sahakar Nagar, Hebbal

• Olio

  phone: +91 80 4092 7888
  address: Koramangala
  Great ambiance with beer, wines and continental food.

• Opus

  phone: +91 80 2344 2580
  address: Palace Cross Road, near Sankey Rd
  A chilled-out, ex-pat friendly lounge with a large outdoor space. Has karaoke on most Sun and Wed (Kroaknights) as well as regular live music and DJ dance nights. You may need to book ahead on theme nights.

• Nasa

  address: Church St

• New Night Watchman

  address: Corner of Church Street and Museum Rd
  Little bit dingy but helpful bar staff - satellite TV has the Australia Network so you can watch Rugby Union and AFL games.

• Pecos

  phone: +91 80 4090 5462, +91 944 982 7428
  address: Rest House Rd (Off Brigade Road)
  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.

• Purple Haze

  address: Residency Road, Koramangala (close to Jyothi Niwas College)
  Popular for the classic rock that's played there.

• Sparks

  address: Briage Road Extension, next to Brigade Towers

• StyxThey put the "Heavy" in heavy metal!!

• Sultanate of Swing

  address: 4th floor, Garuda Mall
  Mainly plays Rock, Retro, Heavy Metal and has a Video DJ.

• Take 5

  address: 54, MSK Plaza, HAL II Stage Indiranagar
  A Jazz themed restaurant that serves great American style food and offers a large selection of beers. They don't always play jazz but the food and drink is consistently good.

• Tavern at The Inn

  address: Museum Rd

• The Bunker

  address: off Residency Rd

• Windsor Pub

  address: Vasanth Nagar. (off Mount Carmel's in Kodava Samaja Building)
  A small place which serves only beer, good food and is nice for a family outing. But only limited tables.

• Zeus

  phone: +91 80 2532 3355
  address: #174 2nd Floor Manohar Crest, Brigade Rd
  Sports bar and lounge.

Splurge

Most hotels have spiffy bars with every imaginable concoction of drinks available.

• 13th Floor

  address: Barton Centre, MG Rd
  Make a reservation. amazing view from the 13th floor

• Arbor Brewing Company

  phone: +91 80501 44477
  address: 8 Magrath Rd, Allied Grande Plaza, Ashok Nagar
  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.

• Aura

  address: Cunningham Rd

• Athena

  address: The Leela Hotel, Airport Rd
  Really popular on most days of the week. The upper VIP lounge is the best part of the club, but the rest of the club is beautifully appointed and attracts a hip crowd.

• Barleyz - The Brew House

  address: Above Taco Bell, Sony World signal, Koramangala
  Microbrewery

• Blue Bar

  address: West End, Race Course Rd
  Excellent drinks if you make sure Joel makes them. Officially they have a couple's only policy. Spontaneous dancing likely next to the bar.

• F-Bar

  address: Le Meridien, Sankey Rd
  Fashion Bar is a theme bar by FTV

• Fuga

  address: Richmond Town
  The best place for house music lovers. Expensive and fashionable.

• Firangi Paani

  address: Forum Mall, Koramangala

• Geoffrey's

  address: Royal Orchid, Airport Rd
  Really nice place

• Hint

  address: 5th Floor, Bangalore Central, MG Rd
  Tuesdays is ladies night (couples permitted).

• iBar

  address: Park Hotel, MG Rd

• Kosmo (Formerly Cosmo Village)

  address: 81 Ali Askar Road Cross (Off Cunningham Road)
  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.

• Taika

  address: Church St. (Off Brigade Rd)
  Usually open past midnight and has a huge dance floor. 3 bars and a lounge area. Entrance varies each night.

• The Beach

  address: 100 Foot Rd
  Indiranagar. Make a reservation. Starts with retro music, plays some good hip-hop and house towards the end. Makes you feel like you are in Goa.

• The Biere Club

  address: Vittal Mallya Rd on Lavelle Road, (opp Sunny's).
  Bangalore’s first craft brewery and a popular place for beer lovers.

• Toit

  address: Indiranagar
  Microbrewery

• Vaayu

  address: 5th floor, Eve Mall, Brigade Rd
  It has comfortable lounge seating, and is open air, giving some nice views over the city.

• Windmills Craftworks

  phone: +91 80 2569 2012, +91 72 5902 4652
  address: #331, Road 5B, EPIP Zone, Whitefield
  Microbrewery
• Xtreme Sports Bara & Grill At Earthen Bowl, Ferns City, Doddanekkundi, Bengaluru, 77609 44477, support@earthenbowl.in

Budget

A large number of budget hotels near the Bangalore City Railway Station are crowded in the area around the Dargah Tawakkal Mastan , O.T.C. Road, Chickpet, Near Sreenivasa Hospital, one kilometer from the Majestic bus station. Ask for Brahmins Bakery area.

• Citizen Lodge

  address: Lady Curzon Rd
  Bare bones motel-style establishment is well located but leaves much to be desired in terms of cleanliness and overall quality.

• FabHotel 29th Church's Inn

  phone: +91 70424 24242
  address: #29th Church Street, off M.G. Road

• Hotel Grand Park

  phone: +91 80 22374786
  address: OTC Road, near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic

• Hotel Tap Silver Square

  phone: +91 80 2559 5656
  address: No 185, Deenas, 3rd Fl, Brigade Rd
  3rd floor has views with floor-to-ceiling windows. Clean and modern decor, clean rooms, all with A/C, hot shower, free Wi-Fi (which gets switched off midnight to 6AM), fridge and small wall-mounted LCD TV. 2 min walk to MG Rd. and Church St. It sits on top of the Fusion Lounge on the 2nd floor, you get thundering bass until 11:30PM. It might be a good idea to bring ear plugs if you plan to turn in early. It might also be the reason why the prices are cheap for what you get. ₹1,011-1,742, including tax. For an additional ₹50, the hotel can arrange the use of a non-A/C luxury car for a maximum of 4 hr or 40 km per day.

• Kind host

  phone: +91 98 45180207
  Clean rooms, clean attached bathrooms, wifi. Nearby to many restaurants.

• Manju Lodge

  phone: +91 80 22200679
  address: Near Abhinay Theatre& Menaka Theatre Hospital Road Avenue Road

• Naga Residency

  phone: +91 80 41220539
  address: OTC Road, near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic

• Omshakthi palace

  phone: +91 80 26707927
  address: OTC Road, near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic.

• Railway Retirement Room

• Red Mount Lodge

  phone: +91 80 41580000
  address: OTC Road, near Tavakkal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic

• Royal Regency Lodge

  phone: +91 80 4113 0202
  address: S. C. Rd
  Clean rooms and convenient to the city’s local transports like the City bus station and the City Railway Station.

• Shree Vaishnav Gujarati Samaj

  address: Gandhinagar
  A secure and decent place to stay if you are there for a day or two. A nice canteen with Gujarati food available. In the vicinity there is another good place available for fast food/lunch named "SLV".

• T.A.P.paradise

  phone: +91 80 22280522
  address: Hospital Road Avenue Road; cross near Abhinay Theatre & Menaka Theatre

• U. G. Classic

  address: OTC Road, Near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, near Majestic

• UG Deluxe

  address: Majestic, Thulsi Thotta
  You may want to take an auto instead of walking down if you are going after a rainy day as your shoes will get dirty.

• Vardhaman Paradise

  phone: +91 80 26707552
  address: Ganesh Lodge Building OTC Road, near Tavakal Mastan Dargah, Cottonpet, Majestic.

• YMCA

  phone: +91 80 2221 1848
  address: Nrupathunga Rd
  No-frills hotel.
• Others around Majestic, If you are free for an hour, you can just go around the Majastic theatre and the Kempe Gowda Bus Station and look for a budget hotel yourself, as there are many on small streets and roads around this place. Or, you can even trust (to some extent) a broker who voluntarily offers help, but be sure you take a good look at the rooms before you pay any money to the lodge and the broker. But there is a wrong notion in the minds of people in and around Majestic that whenever you go in pairs, they tend to look at you with a wrong and suspicious look. If coming with family, especially newly married, avoid the Majestic area.

• Art of Living Hostel

  phone: +91 8026080204
  address: Kanakapura Road
  Free food is given three times a day. Accommodation is shared between four people. The campus is undulating in terrain, and a free shuttle service is available between the numerous hostels and meditation centers. Very green campus with winding footpaths. Beware of snakes. (This hostel is two hours away from Bangalore city railway station in peak traffic.)

Mid-range

Numerous serviced apartments exist in and around the area of Koramangala, though most are on the expensive side. Notable are the Mango suites, Mercure Grand, Lotus suites and Royal Orchid. Cheaper options exist near the JNC college and 1st block.

• 9 Marks Inn

  phone: +91 80 2211-2889
  address: 9 St Marks Rd

• Airavatam Serviced Apartment

  phone: +91 80 4038 1200
  address: 330/7, Axis Rd
  Clean rooms, clean attached bathrooms, wifi. Nearby to many restaurants.

• Ajantha

  phone: +91 80 2558 4321
  address: 22 Mahatma Gandhi Rd
  Good simple hotel with vegetarian restaurant.

• Alcove Serviced Apartments Bengaluru

  phone: +91 99 0057-8231
  address: G-301, Raheja Residency, 3rd Block, Koramangala
  Single room, independent 1 or 2 or 3 BHK apartments, air-con bedrooms with double beds and independent bathrooms, cableTV & DVD player. Kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, mixer grinder and gas stove. Fully automatic washing machine, iron and ironing board, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, club house with billiards, table tennis, gym and tennis court.

• Basil Hotel

  phone: +91 80 4040 2323
  address: #8, Sampige road, Malleshwaram
  Good service.

• Best Western The Capitol

  phone: +91 80 2228 1234, +91 80 2228 1800
  address: Raj Bhavan Rd

• The Bouvice

  phone: +91 80 4152 4429, +91 93 4285 6034
  address: 141C, S.T. Bed Layout, 1st Main Kormangala, Sector 4
  A beautiful apartment hotel in Kormangala.

• Chairman's Club & Resort

  phone: +91 80-40703703
  address: No. 14/1, Kodigehalli Main Road, Sahakar Nagar, Hebbal (near Twin Tower)
  Best for Airport transit passengers. It has AC and Suites rooms. It has a lounge bar (Lock N' Load), indoor swimming pool, Badminton court, garden restaurant, indoor AC restaurant free Wi-fi and a fitness center.

• Chalet Hospitality

  phone: +91 99 0197-6955
  address: A-08, Diamond District, Airport Rd
  Luxury serviced apartments.

• D-Habitat Hotel Apartments

  phone: +91 80 4150 1950
  Koramangala Deluxe rooms, suites, studio, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Ideal for short-term and extended stay.

• Fantasy Golf Resort

  phone: +91 99 7209-2701

• Fortune Park JP Celestial

  phone: +91 80 4044-1234
  address: Race Course Rd

• Hotel Bangalore Gate

  phone: +91 99 4533 3999
  address: 9 and 12, Gajanana Towers, K G Rd
  Executive, superior and premium rooms. All rooms are A/C with complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi. 24 hours room service, 2 restaurants, ample car parking.

• Hotel Komfort Terraces

  phone: +91 80 4009 7000
  address: No 301, 3rd floor, Bluemoon Complex M G. Road

• Hotel Presidency

  phone: +91 80 2846-7175
  address: No. 22 Sadahalli Gate, Devanahalli Taluk
  24/7 reception.

• Hotel St. Marks

  address: St. Marks Rd

• Hotel Vrindavan

  address: off MG Rd and very near to MG. Rd/Brigade Rd junction
  Nice hotel with great south Indian food.

• Hotel Woodlands

  phone: +91 80 2222 5111
  address: No 5, Rajaram Mohan Roy Rd
  Mid-range hotel, very clean, 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.

• Live Inn Bangalore Serviced apartments

  phone: +91 98 8034 9785
  address: Team Royal, 1st Main, 6th Block, Venkatareddy layout, 80ft Rd, Koramangala
  One, two and three bedroom apartments with Wi-Fi, direct telephone services, laundry, A/C, fully equipped kitchen and hot breakfast is served in your room

• Maple Suites

  phone: +91 80 4282 2428
  address: #142 & 143, Dollar Layout. 4th Main, BTM II Stage
  Long and short term stay.

• Olde Bangalore

  phone: +91 99004 28729
  address: Tarabanahalli
  Resort and hotel, events, receptions, multi-cuisine food,corporate event facilities, conferences.

• Prakruthi Club & Resort

  phone: +91 80 2849 4002
  address: Plot no. 12A, Hegganahalli village, Kundana Hobli, Devanahalli Taluk
  Accommodation for couples, family, or corporate bookings. Conference hall that can seat 120 people and meeting facilities. Coffee shop. Lounge bar, wifi.

• Silicon Hearth

  phone: +91 99860 53292
  address: 174, Nagvarapalya, Rahat Bagh, Behind Big Bazaar

• Stopovers Serviced Apartments

  phone: +91 98 4513 9800
  address: Diamond District, Old Airport Rd
  Contemporary apartments.

• Transit Living Serviced Apartments

  phone: +91 900 800 6487
  address: #7/8. 2nd floor, Shoukath Building,SJP Road, Bangalore-2
  Single room, one, two, three bedroom and studio apartments with wireless Internet Wi-Fi, direct telephone services, laundry, A/C, fully equipped kitchen and complimentary breakfast.

• Villa Camelot

  phone: +91 80 3272 3965
  address: #94/95, 4th Cross, ECC Rd, Prithvi Layout, Whitefield
  Bed and breakfast run by a North Indian couple in the back lanes of ITPL. Cozy atmosphere.

• Howard Johnson Bangalore Hebbal

  phone: +91 8046 4670 00
  address: 132, Thanisandra Main Road, Nagawara Junction

Splurge

• Chancery Pavilion

  address: Residency Rd
  Nice business hotel, good service and food

• Lalit Ashok Hotel

  phone: +91 80 22 2404 2211 9
  address: Kumara Krupa High Grounds

• Hotel Royal Orchid

  phone: +91 80 2520 5566
  address: Adjoining KGA Golf Course, Airport Rd
  Sometimes referred to as the "Royal Orchid Park Plaza". Not to be confused with Royal Orchid Central.

• ITC Gardenia

  phone: +91 80 2211 9898
  address: Residency Rd

• ITC Windsor

  phone: +91 80 22269898
  address: Sankey Rd

• The Leela Palace Bengaluru

  phone: +91 80 2521 1234
  address: Airport Rd

• Oberoi Hotel

  phone: +91 80 2558 5858
  address: 37-39 MG Rd

• Park Hotel

  phone: +91 80 2559 4666
  address: 14/7 MG Rd

• The Paul

  phone: +91 80 4047 7777
  address: 139/28, Domlur Layout

• Streling Mac Hotel

  phone: +91 80 42494949
  address: 134, HAL Rd

• The Gateway Hotel, Bengaluru

  phone: +91 8066604545
  address: 66, Residency Road
  The Gateway Hotel Bengaluru is among the top hotels in the city and has won the National Tourism Award for three years in a row.

• Taj West End

  phone: +91 80 5660-5660
  address: Race Course Road
  Nestled amidst 20 acres of flora and defined by its illustrious heritage and colonial charm. Started by the Bronsons as a 10-room inn in 1887, it now has 117 magnificent rooms and suites.

• Taj MG Road

  phone: +91 80 6660 4444
  address: 41/3 MG Road1
  A 5-star hotel

Bangalore is a relatively safe city during day time. However, most of Bangalore practically shuts down a little before midnight - even very safe residential areas can be very desolate by 11PM. In the morning people start getting out from 5 or 6 am, but it's usually still dark outside at that time, so exercise caution if you are in an unfamiliar area.
Some of the lower-income areas can be somewhat unsafe once it gets dark. Exercising caution and good sense will increase your chances of staying safe.

• It is not advisable to walk alone along deserted alleyways or lanes after dark. Avoid doing so in areas that you are not sure are reasonably safe
• Avoid using an auto-rickshaw if the driver is not alone, especially at night
• Do not flaunt jewellery, high-end mobile phones / laptops, watches etc.
• Do not withdraw large amounts of cash from ATMs in deserted areas.
• Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas such as exhibitions, cricket matches, train stations, etc.
• If you are returning late from a party, it is advisable to pre-book cabs through reputed companies such as Meru, Ola, or Uber as against flagging down an auto-rickshaw on the road
• Exercise caution in stopping to help if you see a broken down vehicle at night, especially in lonely streets and in cases where you will be outnumbered

Rising incomes has brought an influx of people including white and blue collar immigrants, leading to disparities in earnings between locals, the casual labour immigrants and expatriates (people from other parts of the state and also from other countries) which arguably has resulted in a substantial increase in crime rates.

The area code for Bangalore is 080. When calling from overseas, dial +91 80 XXXX XXXX. If you don’t have an Indian phone number, it is strongly recommended that you get a pre-paid calling card if you plan on using your phone frequently. Because of new government regulations, you need a photocopy of your passport (visa and the ID pages), a color photo, and proof of local address (in Bangalore) when buying a pre-paid card. If you do not have the required paperwork, it is recommended that you ask a local friend to buy a pre-paid card on your behalf. Pre-paid cards are sold in a few of the shops that sell mobile equipment.
Public telephones are a good option and are available widely. Most shops that offer public phones sport easily visible "STD/ISD/PCO" signages. More often than not, public pay-phones are post-pay and there will be a person at the shop to take the payments. Check the bill generated from the machine and make the payment accordingly. Payments are always in Indian Rupees.

Cellular

Cell phone coverage in the city is excellent. There are many service providers (Aircel, Airtel, BSNL, Idea, MTS Reliance Jio, Tata DoCoMo, Uninor, Vodafone) offering a wide variety of plans. If you are planning on travelling around outside the metropolitan area it might be a good idea to buy a cell phone and use one of the pre-paid plans to get yourself connected whilst you are still in the city.

Internet

There are plenty of Internet centres which charge between ₹10-₹25 per hr. If you have laptop with wifi connection, free internet services are available at some malls, restaurants, and hotels. However, free public WiFi is not the norm. MG Road and Brigade road now has street-wide free WiFi. Hop on to the Namma WiFi wireless network and register using your mobile number for a one-time password for internet access.
High speed USB data cards are very common and all telecom providers (see Connect section) offer these over-the-counter at their stores. Typically need some proof of identity and address to activate these.

Bangalore is a clean city (compared to other major Indian cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata) and epidemics are rare. However, foreign tourists should be cautious about consuming water and eating at roadside stalls. It is recommended to use mosquito repellents, either as a cream applied on the skin (ask for Odomos at local medical stores) or in the electronic form, during the evenings.
Ambulances can be requested by calling 108.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are dime a dozen and you should not have any problem locating one. You do not need any prescription for Modern Medicine Over the Counter drugs, or for ayurvedic medicine (proprietary and traditional), which are available for most common ailments like fever, headache, etc., But you will need prescription for other medicines, which are categorized as Schedule H drugs.

Hospitals

• Dr Tulip's Obesity & Diabetes Surgery Centre

  phone: +91 888 053 7537
  address: 80 Feet Road,4th Block,Koramangala,Bangalore - 560034
  A Centre par excellence for long-term weight loss solutions and diabetes remission. One of its kinds in South India's dedicated to the care of India's dreaded health issue Diabetes and Obesity, which seems to be growing in epidemic proportions. The hospital treat obesity and thereby curing ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, joint pains, GERD, infertility, we recommend bariatric surgery as a single solution to treat obesity and related ailments.

• Aster CMI Hospital

  phone: +91 80-43420100
  A super-specialty hospital, part of Aster DM Healthcare group. It has contemporary state-of-the-art facilities accommodating close to 500 beds and offers comprehensive primary care to quaternary care services with Centres of Excellence in Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Gastroenterology Sciences, Surgery and Allied Specialties, Integrated Liver Care, Organ Transplant, Urology and Nephrology, Orthopaedics, Women’s Health, and Child & Adolescent Health.

Consulates

• Canada

• France

• Germany

  phone: +91 80 4530 0100
  address: 2nd & 3rd floor, Cash Pharmacy Building Corner St Marks &, Residency Rd

• Israel

• Japan

• United Kingdom

Currency Exchange

You will not find money exchange kiosks/counters in all parts of Bangalore, because Bangalore is not a primary destination for most tourists nor is it the entry point for most tourists entering the region. However, most banks offer currency exchange in all their branch offices, as do some travel agencies. Exchange rates can vary somewhat, so it is advisable to shop around. Typically, travel agencies will offer a better exchange rate than banks. Some "extraoficial" agencies can be found around the commercial area of M.G. Road. Those will offer a good rate, without asking to take a copy of your passport. Price could be bargained. Always double check the bank notes once the exchange is made.

• Devanahalli Fort - 35 km north of Bangalore city, in Bangalore Rural district.
• Bannerghatta National Park - a popular tourist destination with a zoo, a pet corner, an animal rescue centre, a butterfly enclosure, an aquarium, a snake house and a safari park.
• Nagarhole National Park or Rajiv Gandhi National Park is 220 Kilometre from Bengalooru and can be reached via Mysuru, Hunsur or HD Kote.
• Bandipur National Park - A tiger reserve around 225 km away. It is famous for elephants, tigers, and precious sandalwood trees. It is spread over an area of 890 km 2 and considered one of the most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries.
• Nandi Hills - It is around 57 km from the city and provides a panoramic view of sunrise and sunset. One of the ways to go there is to go on a bicycle. The hill station has become a popular tourist spot because it is blessed with a pleasant environment throughout the year.
• Srirangapatna, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mysore and Chamarajanagar come in a straight line. You will need half a day each for the first two places and two days each for the next two places. South of that line, around 34km east from Mysore, Keshava Temple of Somanathapura offers marvelous architecture and stone sculptures.

• Anshi National Park or Kali Tiger Reserve which is at distance of 500 Kilometre from Bengaluru city. River rafting and Kayaking is offered at Kali river near Dandeli.
• Bhadra Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve on catchment area of river Bhadra. It is around 280 Kilometre from Bengaluru city.
• Badami A town in Bagakot district known for magnificent temple architecture of Chalukya period. World Heriage site Pattadakal and Aihole are nearby to Badami.