For residents of Bengaluru, a drive down to Mysuru every other weekend is as routine as heading out for groceries. Especially during monsoon months when the green cover along the way is as vibrant as ever. That said, as fast food joints pop up on state highway 17, most travellers miss out on the host of delectable regional fare this part of the country is known for. If you’d like to add a local flavour to your next road trip, head to one of these must-visit food stops along the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. By Eshita Srinivas
One of the most talked-about aspects of Bengaluru, besides the bevvy of breweries and cafes that line its streets, is its proximity to several picturesque and historically significant destinations. The best time to drive up to one? The monsoon months of July, August, and September when rain clouds carpet the skies and the conditions are just right enough to roll down the windows and let the wind through your hair (a Kodak moment, really) Most popular on the list of weekend getaway options that the city offers is Mysuru. Only 150 kilometres from the capital, itineraries for a visit to the sandalwood city include exploring ornate palaces and heritage structures. Also worthy of being featured on this list is the throng of places to eat delicious, local fare along the route. From hearty ragi mudde to comforting thatte idli, these food stops along the Bengaluru-Mysuru route are unmissable.
Pop by these cosy food stops along the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway this monsoon
Shivadarshana Shashi Thatte Idli Hotel
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Most road trips to Mysuru begin quite early in the day, making breakfast on the road the norm. Bidadi, a town 32 kilometres from the city, is one of the first pit stops along the route and is known for a unique version of the classic South Indian breakfast food, idli. Thatte idli is a large idli that’s more porous and spongy than its conventional counterpart. This could be attributed to the addition of tapioca pearls to the usual batter. In Bidadi, this delicacy is served with a combination of vada, chutney, and a mixed vegetable palya. While most any place in this region would serve up the delicacy, it’s the buttery goodness of thatte idlis at Shivadarshana Shashi Thatte Idli Hotel that’s popular amongst locals. Not to mention, it’s quite comforting when the weather’s frosty – as monsoon mornings often are. We recommend getting a piping-hot cup of filter coffee – a popular option – to go with your meal. Other great options are medu vada, poori, and lemon rice. Reportedly in business for over 70 years, the place gets quite crowded in the wee hours of the day and many head on a long drive from the city to savour the food here.
Address: Near Police Station, Bidadi, Mysore Road, Bengaluru
Shivalli Restaurant
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Another local-favourite breakfast spot and one of the oldest in the region, Shivalli restaurant in toy-town Channapatna is an MTR franchise. Popular here are traditional Kannadiga breakfast of kadubu idli – aromatic idlis steamed in jackfruit leaves. Also, a must-try is the khara bath, a variation of the more popular upma as well as poori sagu, bisi bele bath, kesari bath, and filter coffee. It’s open through the week and has, over the years, expanded to the building on the opposite side of the road.
Address: Bangalore, Mysore Rd, Channapatna, Karnataka
Maddur Tiffany’s
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Continuing on this breakfast trail is this restaurant that began as a little darshini (quick, self-service style vegetarian restaurant) with a thatched roof and plastic tables and went on to become one of the most popular pit stops along the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. If you like the idea of a drive-through or just don’t enjoy your breakfast with a side of crowds, the place offers car service. That said, it’s also a good bet when you need to pull over for a bit as it pours outside. Popular on the menu are their Maddur vadas, a beloved snack from Karnataka made with rice flour, semolina, and spices. Puri bhajji, idli, dosa, filter coffee are recommended as well. The space is reknowed enough to have drawn several food bloggers and celebrities to it, including Arshad Warsi.
Address: Bangalore Mysore Hwy, Shivapura, Maddur, Karnataka
Poojari’s Fish Land
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Seafood might not be the first thing you’d imagine eating on a road trip to Mysuru but the delicious fare at this food stop compares to that of restaurants along the coast. The menu features Mangalore-style seafood, including the katla fish kebabs, prawn sukka, koddai tawa fry, Anjal fish fry, and prawns ghee roast. The addition of coconut oil adds depth of flavour to the food and the neer dosa with chicken curry comes highly recommended. The decor here features traditional Mangalore lamps and that, along with the thriving garden space, makes this restaurant the perfect stop for a relaxed meal, especially since the highway can get quite busy and difficult to drive on during rush hours when it’s pouring.
Address: Mysore Bangalore Road, Opp. White Orchid, Kalasthavadi, Village, Naganahalli, Karnataka
Rasta Cafe
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Popular amidst bikers and young locals from Bengaluru, this expansive Rastafarian cafe is open 24/7. Over three acres of dedicated outdoor spaces makes for the perfect playground for pets while the pool tables, video games, and televisions serve as entertainment. Not to mention, an ideal pit stop for rainy nights when the highway is tricky to navigate. In fact, many travellers recommend spending time here when it’s dark out. On the menu are sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and nachos. Most recommended off the menu are the creamy mushroom penne, snicker shake, and crispy fried chicken. The space is known to be welcoming and laidback.
Address: Mayaganahalli, Ramanagaram, Bengaluru-Mysuru Road, Bengaluru
Kamat Lokaruchi
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An iconic food spot on the Bengaluru-Mysore route, Kamat offers high-quality South Indian fare. On the menu are a host of delicious regional options including moode idlis steamed in pine leaves, neer dosa, jolanda roti, Mangalore buns, goli bajji, and pathrode (taro and gram flour pinwheels in made using colocasia leaves). If you head there in the morning, you get to pick between the a-la-carte and buffet options for breakfast, with the latter being ideal for sampling everything on the menu. For dessert is the Mysore pak, Dharwad peda, and a host of laddus. If it isn’t raining, you could drop by the Jaanapada Loka, an open-air folk museum.
Address: Janapada Loka, Near Archakarahalli, Ramanagara, Karnataka
Bhuvaneshwari
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An unassuming space that’s easy to miss, Bhuvaneshwari is a hotel on the highway that serves delicious native-style non-vegetarian fare. Popular here are their idlis and other breakfast food. But it’s the meatball curry, botti gojju, mutton chops, brain fry that draws diners in scores. The ragi mudde here are soft, dense, and earthy and the leg soup is peppery and packs a punch. Biryani is often had as well but, depending on the day and produce, can be a hit or a miss. If that doesn’t sound like the perfect monsoon meal, we don’t know what does. Besides, the prices are low.
Address: 255/1, B N Road, Mandi Mohalla, Mysore
Vaishali
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Rounding out this list is another beloved spot with delicious indigenous fare. The natti chicken here is popular as are the chilli chicken, chilli mushroom, tandoori kebab, biryani, mutton leg soup, pongal, keema dosa, and idli. Popular option for lunch and dinner, this restaurant is just a few kilometres from Mandya, conveniently placed on the highway for a quick meal. If the skies clear up, you could spot a few rabbits and ducks playing about.
Address: SH17, Mathikere, Karnataka
Feature and hero image: @thefoodquest.in/Instagram
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