When it comes to having scrumptious dishes at one of the most cost friendly prices, both West Bengal and Karnataka top the list. In Kolkata, we get 5 Phuchkas at Rs 10, whereas in Bengaluru we get it at Rs 30 for 6 Panipuris. Street food is affordable both the cities. However for the Bengalis who are settled in Bengaluru, besides feeling homesick, they really miss Bengali food in the IT hub of India where South Indian style cooking is most prevalent. Also it is a fact that most Probashi Bengalis living in Bengaluru get bored of the currypatta flavour present in everything cooked there. Specially for working professionals or students who live as paying guest in Bengaluru, for them having to sustain on South Style food all through the year, sometimes seems to be difficult. At these moments of being away from family, friends and home cooked traditional Bengali food for a long time, one may feel homesick and joyless. If anyday they come across any hint of their very own city of joy through a delicacy, it reminds them of the warmth of all the things that are associated with it. It also reminds them about the unique cultural heritage of Kolkata, joyful about the festivals and memories attached to them, and nostalgic as well as optimistic in looking forward to go back to their hometown. All the worries of career, finances, future planning disappears at the moment as they relish the delicious and rich Bengali cuisine sitting in Bengaluru, making them feel at home again.
Let’s explore these six authentic Bengali food outlets in Bengaluru, which are sure to give a Bengali residing in Bengaluru a good day vibe !
Bangaliana
If you are looking for some authentic Bengali food to have in Bengaluru, then Bangaliana is the perfect place for you. Situated in 7th Block Koramangala, beside the Sai Baba temple, this place is an absolute gem on its own. It has another branch at Marathali.
The history of Bangaliana goes back to the year 2002 when it was started as ‘Fish n Sweets’ and later became the ‘Bangaliana’ that we know of today. It is one of the oldest Bengali restaurants in Bengaluru. Its owner Swapan Kumar Ghosh, a first-generation entrepreneur started it not to serve fine dining like any other restaurant, but to serve home-cooked food away from home especially to the Bengalis living outside Bengal, reminding them about the authenticity of Bengali food and the cultural significance attached to it. The people from the East such as West Bengal, Assam, Orissa, and others, who are staying in Bengaluru, should try out this restaurant at least once while they are there.
Earlier Bangaliana was in the place of Bangalikhana in 5th Block Koramangala and later it got shifted. Both restaurants are quite differentiated in terms of décor, food quality, and other aspects. Bangaliana focuses more on the quality of the food and hence is adored for its simple décor and pure Kolkata vibe. Recently the Kolkata Governor has given an award to the owner of Bangaliana, Mr. Swapan Kumar Ghosh, the legendary individual in the food industry in Bengaluru, for being the first Bengali entrepreneur to start a restaurant in Bengaluru.
If you visit Bangaliana any day, please try their crispy Kolkata-styled Fish Fry which is triangle shaped and unlike in Kolkata, it has a reddish-brown covering and looks like Chicken cutlet. Once the succulent fish adorned by the crunchy delectable covering goes inside your mouth, you will feel like you have gone back to your hometown and a celebratory mood will be imbued in you. The Bengali Fish Fry is one of the best sellers here and costs ₹ 150 for 1 pc.
Currently, it serves culinary delights such as Mochar Cutlet at ₹120, Fish Orly at ₹ 150, Fish Kabiraji at ₹ 190, Fish Paturi at ₹ 200, Chicken Rezalla at ₹ 275, Egg Mughlai Paratha and Aloo Dum at ₹ 150. Mughlai Paratha, Kolkata Biriyani, Pulao and Mutton, Shorshe Elish, Bhetki Kaliya, Mocha/ Echor Chingri, Potoler Dorma are some of the most popular dishes which are sold here.
Location: Shop No. 5, 1st Floor, 424/A, 1st Main Road, 7th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru – 560095
Timings: 12 Pm – 2 Am
Cost: ₹ 300 for two
Contact: 9902043208 / 9845366458
Calcutta Cabin
Are you looking to drift away from the city noise and experience a quiet, tranquil, and traditional Bengali dinner outside Kolkata? Then Calcutta Cabin is the place for you! Started by Prithu Panda, two years back, Calcutta Cabin is a simple Bengali restaurant, which speaks of pleasant dim lights and a cool, refreshing ambience. If you want to experience Bengal sitting in HSR Bangalore, then order their fluffy Luchis and Kasha Mangsho which comes with a bundle of happiness and warmth embodying the lively spirit of the City of Joy. Once the combination of delicious luchis and rich chicken/mutton gravy goes inside your mouth, you cannot help but fall in love with your city again.
The restaurant owner though have not made much investment towards its decor, retaining and maintaining the minimum standard look with graceful lights, the food quality has been taken care of quite well and one will want to go back there to have lipsmacking Bengali food more often. According to the restaurant owner, most visitors of this restaurant are Bengalis and it receives bulk online orders during both week days and weekends. Here the price range for the Indian Fish Combo is between ₹ 180 – 230. One can also get Aloo Posto here at ₹ 150 and Macher Kailya at Rs 200.
Location: House 9, 7th Cross, 24th Main Road, 1st Sector, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560103
Timings: 11 Am – 11:30 Pm
Cost: ₹ 200 for two
Contact: 8088520260
Khai Khai
Have you ever thought of experiencing the juxtaposition of the soulful melody of Rabindrasangeet and the latest Bollywood songs? If not then Khai Khai is the best option to witness the co-living of the nostalgic Bangali Abhoya with the new age modern millennial vibe, giving you a taste of what it means to live in this era, without forgetting your roots and cultural heritage. Once you step inside Khai Khai, the first thing that will catch your attention are the red walls with beautiful wall paintings and pictures of the legends of Bengal such as Mithun Chakraborty, Saurav Ganguly, and popular Bengali anecdotes such as Coffee House, Feluda, Kolkata Book Fair, Ganer Oparey, aesthetically designed on the tables, along with mention of song names such as “Ami Tomar Shonge Bedhechi Amar Pran”.
One can also find sketches of the Tram, the Howrah bridge, Princep Ghat, the famed boat on the tables, transporting them back to Bengal and reminding them of the fact that there are so many things and places to cherish in Bengal. What complements the Bangaliana tables, kind of which you will find in Abar Baithak in Kolkata, are the chic styled chairs in bright colours such as light blue, yellow, and red, giving a fluorescent, trendy yet old school vibe accompanied by the vintage yellow lights. It acts like a blueprint of Bengal in Bengaluru.
Here you can try Koraishutir Kochuri and Cholar Dal which is quite affordable and costs ₹ 145. It will take you back to those mornings of Ashtami or Saraswati Puja where everybody has their breakfast after waking up early, taking a bath, wearing traditional ethnic clothes, and offering their prayers to God.
The ambience is calm, cool, and warm at the same time, and the cooks can be found in specific attire. It’s the best place to step onto for a family lunch together or a dinner with friends, relatives while staying in Bengaluru.
Other delicacies that you can taste here are the Bengali Basanti Pulao with Mutton or Chicken Kosha at ₹ 309/259, Chingri Macher Malaikari at ₹ 429, Chicken Kabiraji at ₹ 200, Jhuri Aloo Bhaja at ₹ 90. In beverages, you get Aampanna at ₹ 75 and Nolen Gurer Payesh (₹ 125), Aamer Chutney (₹ 119), and Langcha (₹ 60) are some of the iconic Bengali sweet dishes that you can get there.
Location: 1702, ground floor, 19th Main Rd, Sector 2, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560102
Timings: 11 Am – 10:30 Pm
Cost: ₹ 500 for two people
Contact: 7619207120
Bangalikhana
Bangalikhana was earlier Bangaliana and has one branch in Koramangala and another in Electronic City. Here you will find mostly Probashi Bengalis who are welcomed by the green lights, antique walls speaking of Bengal and its rich heritage, culture. One can spot a picture of Ma Durga, vintage lights, two large mirrors, and wall paintings of Nonte Fonte accompanied by the evergreen Bengali songs such as ‘Ei Poth Jodi Na Sesh Hoye Tobe Kemon Hoto Tumi Boloto’ which is in quiet contrast to the loud cheers made inside the pubs in Koramangala in night at the same time. Once one hears the song, the images of Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen flash before their eyes, making them feel at ease. Here one can easily find other Bengalis who come there to have Bengali food and can become friends with them very easily. “The customer base is here around 1100000”, says Tapan Pal who manages the restaurant.
One can have a delicious Fish Meal here which will cost around ₹ (160 – 250) consisting of rice, Jhuri Aloo Bhaja, Rui Macher Jhol, Sabji, Dal, Gulab Jamun, Chutney. One can get Chicken Meal at around ₹ 270, Mutton Meal at around ₹ 350, Fish Fry for ₹ 130, Egg Devil for ₹ 120, Sorshe Elish for ₹ 380, Pomfret Jhal for ₹ 350, Bangla Pulao for ₹ 100, Mishti Doi for ₹ 50
Location: Plot No. 355, 1st Floor 1st B Main Road, 7th Block, Lane Opp HDFC Bank., Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560095
Timings: 11 Am – 10:30 Pm
Cost: ₹ 500 for two people
Contact: 9834127633
Bhojohori Manna
The famous Bengali restaurant Bhojohori Manna which has been given its name based on a popular song by the celebrated musician Manna Dey is present in Kolkata, Bengaluru, Puri, and Siliguri currently, and was born out of garage space at Ekdalia in Kolkata in the year 2003, when five friends with no formal training in the food industry, and belonging from differing backgrounds with a strong love for food, recognized that there is a dearth of enough restaurants in Kolkata, serving home-style Bengali food.
Consequently, Bhojohori Manna was born, with its business model being based on the acclaimed ‘pice hotels’.
The song ‘Ami Sri Sri Bhojohori Manna’ by Manna Dey, tells the story and journey of a cook who returns to his native place, adopting a signature culinary style. Within a few months, Bhojohori Manna gained immense popularity and attracted a huge number of visitors, all because of its superior quality of Bengali food, its unique name which has a story behind it, the contribution of the media & entertainment industry in taking its brand value higher, and most importantly the foodies who became its loyal customers and spread its regal offerings through word of mouth communication.
The Bhojohori Manna in Bengaluru will remind you of the quintessential festive mood of Bengal, of how it energizes and brings a smile on the faces of even the laziest Bongs. When you step inside it, you will not find much difference in décor from that of the one in Kolkata, it’s just that it imbues a festive spirit in you, no matter whenever you step inside it, filling you up with positivity, joy, and enthusiasm to embrace the good things in life a little more. Just like the other branches, Bhojohori Manna in Bengaluru speaks of the togetherness of family members, the camaraderie between friends, and the happiness associated with celebrating festivals such as the Bengali New Year or Poila Baishakh. You may be having a bad day or a week in Bengaluru, and on weekends you decide to go to Bhojohori Manna with your friends, family or alone, consequently it will instantly make you forget about all your worries, making you savour the authenticity of Bengali food and appreciate the emotion associated with Bengal and the City of Joy.
You will witness a cool ambience with a friendly, amicable staff at Bhojohori Manna, and without compromising on its simplicity, it still looks vibrant and bright, with stunning wall colour, warm lights, wooden chairs, and colourful wall décor. The ardour created inside the restaurant is unmatched. Moreover, though it may seem expensive, if you choose wisely, you can have the best dishes at the minimum prices.
If you visit Bhojohori Manna ever in Bengaluru, you should try their delectable Egg Devil which comes at ₹ 75 accompanied by Kasundi and tomato sauce along with Nimbu and green chili.
Other popular dishes and beverages served by the restaurant are Harabhara Kabab at ₹ 100, Mutton Chop at ₹ 70, Bhetki Batter Fry at ₹ 170, Chicken Kabiraji Cutlet at ₹ 165, Mini Thala (₹ 265) where you get Luchi, Cholar Dal, bhaja of the day, alur dom, rice or pulao, choice of vegetable, chutney, papad, sweet, and the Maxi Thala (₹ 335) offering Rice, ghee, shukto, dal of the day, bhaja of the day, luchi or pulao, choice of vegetable, papad, mishit doi and sweet.
Under non-veg you get Jumbo Pabda Shorshe for Rs 190/220, Jumbo Daab Chingri for ₹ 270/360, D’Gama Saheber Kosha Kakra for ₹ 305/365, Crab Butter Garlic Pepper Large for ₹ 305/365, Lau Chingri/ Bandhakopi Chingri at ₹ 140. Besides you will find Doi Mangsho at ₹ 240. In beverages, Aampora Shorbot and Gandharaj Ghol are available at ₹ 55, along with others.
Location: 668/B, Koramangala Club Rd, 6th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560095
Timings: 12 pm – 11:30 Pm
Cost: ₹ 850 for two people
Contact: 8025503666
Kolkata Kati Rolls
Do you miss eating the Bong favourite Egg Rolls while you are in Bengaluru? If it’s a ‘Yes’ or even if it’s a ‘No’, you will surely be delighted after having the yummy Kolkata style Chicken Egg Roll at ₹ 70, from Kolkata Kati Rolls near Ejipura Signal. And if you wish to quench your thirst after walking the distance to the Roll shop, you should try out a glass of fresh lime or other juice from the New Juice Junction, right beside the Kolkata Kati Rolls. With minimum waiting time and zero hassle, this place is a surprise for the Bongs amidst the empty alleys of Koramangala. This shop was started in the year 2012 and the most popular variety of rolls which is sold here is the Double Egg Double Chicken Veg Roll With Cheese. Two dedicated cooks are there who greet you and prepare the Roll for you with a bright smile on their faces.
Location: 88, Koramangala Industrial Layout, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560034
Timings: 11 Am – 10 Pm
Cost: ₹100 for two
Contact: 8070277464 / 8169085507
So if you are staying in Bengaluru for a shorter or longer period or if you are planning to visit Bengaluru, you should check out these Bengali food places there, which offer authentic, most popular Bengali food at one of the most affordable prices.
