At this point in India, every street and lane is sprawling with hundreds of new openings every single week, with little that sets them apart. While I’m all for variety and options when it comes to eating out, we’re bound to reach saturation, aren’t we? I’m sure at one time, there will be one too many breweries to keep count of in Bengaluru, one too many cafes serving the same coffee in Mumbai, and one too many North Indian restaurants to eat at in Delhi NCR. Because sometimes, the heart (and tummy) just craves something different, something novel, and something absolutely out of the ordinary!
The best thing to explore when said saturation point finally makes its way to you? Intriguing dining experiences, made not just to eat, but to feel, watch, wonder, and love. And knowing Bengaluru, this city’s perhaps the best pick when looking for the strange but fun crossroads of food that feels like an activity, and activities that feel like a meal. Thanks to just how many people populate and roam about this city, there’s too much to do (and too much to list), and probably too little time. While this is not an exhaustive list of the most delightful food-cum-experiences you can enjoy in India’s tech city, it is a list of those that have intrigued me the most. So, consider yourself informed!
If your mind doesn’t question why we’ve been sleeping on Bengaluru’s food and culture scene and not hyping it up as much as that of Delhi and Mumbai, you’re reading it wrong. I promise, this list will force you to catch a flight to the city (for visitors) or to step out of your apartments and discover more of the town (for locals). Read on!
The Golden Circle Brewery
Remember just how exquisite and regal the interiors of the Titanic were, in Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s 1998 Oscar-winning film? Because I do, and I still haven’t gotten over them! Honestly, the only thing stopping me from signing up for a somewhat similar cruise myself is my very deep and very serious fear of drowning. And to my (and your) rescue, this brewery in Bengaluru is bringing the taste of a cruise experience right up to land. Enter: The Golden Circle, India’s very own and very first cruise ship-themed brewery that looks precisely like the decks of a cruise, spanning three floors and serving hundreds and hundreds of delicious beers and cocktails.
The interiors and exteriors resemble those of a luxurious cruise, with golden accents, high ceilings, and an atmosphere that feels borderline addictive. On visiting, you’ll not only save a LOT of money that would’ve otherwise gone into crusading across the ocean on a real ship, but also experience one of the most unique breweries in all of the country.
Some of the best things on the menu, as far as appetisers are concerned, include the Golden Fried Crispy Prawns with Fried Wonton and Peri Peri Prawns, the Lemongrass Fish Tikka, and Butter Garlic Prawn. If you’re hungrier and searching for the best mains, some crowd-favourites include Mutton Roast and Curry Leaves Prawns, Spicy Tandoori Lamb Chops, and Tandoori Pomfret. The Pears & Walnut Salad and rolls like Spicy Salmon Volcano Roll are also widely and wildly ordered.
It wouldn’t be a brewery without the delicious brews. The Poha Pilsner is a must-try: a crisp, golden lager infused with flattened rice, giving it a light body and subtle sweetness. Other house brews include a Weizenbock, a Belgian-style Witbier brewed with orange peels and coriander for citrus and spice, a Mango Hefeweizen, an India Pale Ale, and an American West Coast IPA with citrus and pine highlights. The brewery also rotates seasonal options, such as Watermelon Summer Wave Wheat Ale and a New England IPA.
So, the next time you wish to go drinking on a Friday night in Bengaluru, remember, you can do it on a cruise!
Address: Sy. No. 41/9, BBMP No. 154/41/9, Doddakanneli, Sarjapur Main Rd, Carmelram, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560035
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 1,500
Alienkind
If you’ve ever been far too curious about the great beyond and whether life outside of Earth actually exists, you will not find the answer here, but your alien-fascinated itch might just get scratched.
At Alienkind, an alien-themed, futuristic, and strikingly red space, everything is about outer space, our alien friends, spaceships, and galaxies. So, you best believe that Alienkind isn’t your typical café or burger joint—it’s a UFO-themed hangout that wraps its menu and interior around a playful extraterrestrial concept, which is extremely hard to miss, and hence, the perfect space to surprise all your senses. They use bright, eye-catching colours, custom graphics, and even quirky packaging to create an experience that feels fun, different, and very share-worthy.
Instead of following the typical, formal sit-down format, Alienkind is a quick service or grab-n-go kind of space, perfect for stopping by while out and about. And guess what? It’s exactly this blend of novelty and convenience that draws people in.
On the menu, Alienkind does some of the best burgers in town. The Starship Burger is one of the most talked-about items. Why, you may ask? Because it’s a burger that’s reportedly designed to be “no spill” and still layered with flavour, leaning closer to shawarma-style than a classic burger patty. Smoothies and juice-heavy drinks are another highlight at the space, with playful names and fruit-forward blends like Europa Bloom (mango + strawberry with beetroot powder) and Orion Mist (mixed berries). If you’re after something lighter or more refreshing, their “Cloudy” drinks—such as Mango Cloudy or Grape Cloudy—are all about making juices cool again. Other crowd favourites include their Hyperslab Sandos, portal bagels with cream cheese and jalapeño, and dessert-style sips like cake shakes and hot chocolates that taste like you’re literally drinking dessert.
For all those who’re obsessed with the great beyond or NASA, this might just be the place for you!
Address: 4000, 100 Feet Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Stage 2, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071
Timings: Monday to Sunday (8 am–1 am)
Price for two: INR 1,000
Farmlore
Farmlore is nestled approximately 30–40 km outside central Bengaluru, and you best believe it is not just a restaurant; it’s a farm-to-table culinary adventure set on a 37-acre organic farm where much of what ends up on your plate is literally just harvested. Yes, farm-to-table, you heard that right. The name itself is a play on ‘folklore’ and ‘locavore,’ focusing on telling stories of culture and folk traditions through seasonal, locally sourced, and often forgotten ingredients.
What makes this space most unique is the immersive experience of their food: guests are often encouraged to walk through mango and coconut groves and herb gardens before sitting down to a tasting menu. Not only that, but the food itself unfolds like a tale or narrative of the land from which the produce comes. Such a philosophy has earned Farmlore significant recognition, including the American Express One To Watch Award from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, making it one of Asia’s top dining destinations.
Because the menu evolves with the seasons, there’s no fixed list of signature dishes—when visiting, you can either take part in a five-course tasting menu, or, if you’re in the mood to go all out, the ten-course tasting menu. Some of the previous curations have featured creations such as Kochi snapper with a coconut and spirulina sauce, lamb (Kuri) reinterpreted with regional grains, and locally found elements like fire ants integrated into canapés. These menus change almost weekly, depending on what’s freshest on the farm and nearby producers, so you know nothing you’re eating could be older than seven days.
Farmlore’s ambience is akin to a greenhouse: it’s rooted in nature, and chock full of earthy tones, wooden finishes, and open kitchen views. You best believe that this is not just a meal! It’s a slow-paced, sensory experience, all in one.
Address: Survey No. 67, Mohan, Raju Layout, Bagalur, Sathnur Village, Bengaluru, Karnataka 562149
Timings: Wednesday to Sunday (12:30–2:30 pm, 6:30–10 pm)
Price for two: INR 8,000
The Hood by Olive
The Hood by Olive is one of Bengaluru’s most exciting new destinations for a meal out. And knowing the hospitality and taste of the Olive Group all too well, we’re sure that this one’s about to be just as good. The biggest attraction, and the feature that makes it a worthy placeholder on this list, is that instead of sticking to one cuisine in particular, the restaurant takes diners on a unique culinary world tour, with a menu shaped entirely by a new neighbourhood every three months. This includes influences from Kyoto’s Gion, Florence’s San Lorenzo, and Beirut’s Mar Mikhael, each inspiring distinct flavours, items, and rituals on the menu.
The ambience feels more lived-in than fancy, with warm lighting, exposed brick, velvet drapes, arched bookshelves and huge, comfy sofas that create the sense of a nook-in-the-wall, neighbourhood bar rather than a formal dining room. The restaurant also features a central bar, warm and comfortable booth seating, a piano at the counter, and a small indoor courtyard with step seating and greenery, making it a diverse space to spend an afternoon.
On the food front, the menu focuses on small plates and sharables drawn, as aforementioned, from each neighbourhood. Standouts from the Japanese neighbourhood menu included toro temaki, crisp seaweed cones filled with tuna sashimi and bonito mayo, and ebi furai, arare-crusted shrimp with shiso fritters and miso mayo.
Among the Beirut-inspired offerings, torch-seared bone marrow served with nigella seed kuboos and chilli shatta proved a rich crowd favourite, while the Italian section delighted diners with burrata with mango mostarda and plancha squid. Helmed by Olive’s Chef Dhruv Oberoi, the menu gets more experimental, unique, and luxurious with each neighbourhood.
The cocktail programme is equally distinct. Some of the crowd-favourites have been the gin-led Midnight at an Osaka Pickle Bar, crisp with apple and pear notes, and the Dance of the Beirut Bandit, a warm rum-based drink with saffron and sesame milk that feels perfect for Bengaluru evenings.
It’s a restaurant that can truly do it all, and who doesn’t love the sound of that?
Address: Krishna Manaera, 14/1, Wood St, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–12 am)
Price for two: INR 3,000
Oia
Oia, known as not India’s but Asia’s largest pub, is a space straight out of the bylanes of Santorini, Greece. The expansive rooftop design is sure to transport you straight to the Greek isles, and that too, without even catching a flight or leaving Hennur! The sprawling venue features whitewashed walls, blue domes, a mini waterfall, and koi ponds, and Greek-inspired tables and seating, all styled to evoke the classic Mediterranean aesthetic. The best part? It’s instantly Instagram-worthy and great for date nights (considering the time of year we’re in)! They also do live music and themed nights that just make the overall experience even better.
The menu itself is quite diverse, pairing Mediterranean flavours with Indian and Asian influences. Some of their signature starters include the Boozi Pani Puri, a playful take on the classic with an alcoholic twist, and Spanakopita or Mezze Platters, which offer shareable bites inspired by Mediterranean favourites. The mains range from Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Glazed Half Roast Chicken and Whisky Garlic Prawn to regional favourites such as Saag Mutton and Koli Saru, while pizzas (like the Five Cheese or Oia Sriracha Veg) and sushi rolls are also great picks.
The drinks list, of course, is expansive—it is Asia’s largest pub after all! Some of the favourite orders include People’s Obsession (a pea tea-infused drink), Picasso (a Jim Beam-based cocktail), Sonorous (a refreshing option with lemongrass and grapefruit), Greek Island Punch ( a rum-forward tropical cocktail with fresh fruit and herbs), Santorini Sunset (Vodka, orange, and cranberry with a Mediterranean twist), and Aegean Breeze (a gin-based cocktail with cooling cucumber and mint).
The next time you’re in search of a space that’s lively, surprisingly Greek in its outlook, and very, very boozy, remember to have Oia at the top of your list!
Address: Oia, Hennur Main Road, New Airport Rd, opposite Mantri Webcity, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560077
Timings: Monday to Sunday (12 pm–1 am)
Price for two: INR 2,500
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