Guide to Bangalore

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Bangalore is a massive, sprawling city, which can be difficult to navigate during peak hour traffic. For that reason I tend to spend most of my time in one or two areas, such as Indiranagar, which is full of great cafes, restaurants, bars, boutiques, and streets lined with magnificent, towering trees. 

Most of the recommendations in this guide focus on Indiranagar and surrounding neighbourhoods. A little further afield towards the city centre, you will find Commercial St, Malleswaram, Cubbon Park, and other iconic areas to explore. 

I use UBER moto to get across town and cut through traffic, but this is not for the faint hearted. If you're not comfortable on a motorbike, UBER auto (i.e. rickshaw) is the next best option.

• Umesh Dosa Point - my go-to whenever I'm in Bangalore, unmissable! My favourite is the ghee pudi idli

• Paper & Pie - good coffee and pastries with a western style brunch menu; a nice place to work from for a few hours. Head upstairs to grab a table and peruse their book collection (an eclectic mix of business books and other self-help style best sellers)
• Araku - best coffee in Bangalore! They also have a good selection of international wines and creative tapas style cuisine (try the tin box eggplant)

• Copper + Cloves - garden cafe serving delicious plant based food; co-located with a cute boutique called the Paper Boat Collective
• Cinnamon - sweet cafe in a vintage 19th century bungalow that also houses a selection of boutiques from local designers. The food is average but the setting is lovely.
• Good Earth - chic garden cafe + homewares boutique

Bangalore has many, many shopping malls, but I prefer old school street shopping and markets...

• Malleswaram - one of the oldest districts in Bangalore, great for costume jewellery and street markets. I particularly like Sri Chakra Pearls & Jewellery for stringing beads and jewellery repairs.
• Commercial Street - bustling commercial shopping area with mix of stores & street stalls; I go here to buy fabrics, sarees, costume jewellery, and other local items. While you're here, stop for a break at Santhanam Sweets & Savouries and fuel up on great chaat and sweets!
• Safina Plaza - an eclectic mix of stores, including two that sell beautiful Jaipur-style cotton-block print bed linen, table linen, cushion covers, curtains etc 
• Krishna Chetty Jewellers - impressive collection of both traditional and modern fine jewellery with service to match

• Toast & Tonic
• Bar Spirit Forward
•  SOKA Indiranagar - intimate cocktail bar with creative cocktails and small plates
• Jamming Goat Indiranagar
• ZLB.23 speakeasy tucked insight a 5 star hotel

• Phobidden - excellent Vietnamese restaurant
• MURO - social club focused on cocktails, Thai & Cantonese cuisine, culture and conversation
• LUPA - upscale Italian restaurant with a Cecconi’s vibe, see and be seen
• Paragon - haven’t been here yet, but I’ve heard it’s very good

• Cubbon Park - live like a local and walk around the park
• MAP Bengaluru - visit the newly built Museum of Art & Photography
• KAASH - peaceful art gallery space with thoughtful exhibitions showcasing Indian artists
• BIC - check out the programme at Bangalore International Centre, which hosts wonderful events and talks on a wide variety of topics relevant to art, society, and culture in an Indian context

• Bloom Hotel Indiranagar - Bloom has two hotels in this area, both of which are well located, modern, and inexpensive
• The Conrad - luxurious ultra-modern rooms with magnificent views across the city. A great place to stay when you need a little luxury! The rooftop pool and spa are also worth a visit.