Affordable Hidden Food Gems of Bengaluru

The Rolling Pin

Visit The Rolling Pin for coffee and delicious snacks the next time you are in Indiranagar. The bakery is a quaint place with a lively ambience. I was hooked to The Rolling Pin ever since my first visit when I tried their Chocolate Chip Pancake and Lemon Pie.

The place will conquer your tastebuds with its variety: from scrumptious Burgers to Choco-Chip Pancakes and Hot Chocolate. They have excellent options for Pizza too. I would highly recommend their Carrot Cake, Croissant Sandwich, and Cheesecake.

The Rolling Pin is good for a quick Breakfast, Coffee and Snacks. It was lovely to see that they allow pets on their premises. Their prices are light on your wallets with a meal for two costing around INR 400.

Parking near the place is a challenge, but there are parking spaces within walking distance from the cafe.

RR’s Blue Mount

RR's Blue Mount on Loafer’s street, Vasanthnagar, is another underrated eatery in Bangalore. We affectionately call it Raj Uncle's shop, much to the annoyance of the owner. Students of Mount Carmel, opposite the food joint, swear by RR's Blue Mount good food that comes within their pocket money. It's known as Carmelites' adda for a reason!

One of the many dishes I tried here was the Chicken Pasta, which melted in my mouth! Deltazz, their mini pizza, is another dish you shouldn't miss. Their Pasta and Noodles are also famous, along with their Raspberry Float.

They have a unique Indo-Mexican menu, which is hard to resist. You will also get Cakes, Puffs and Sandwiches here. Mini and Rajendra from Kerala started RR's Blue Mount in the early 90s.

Shahi Darbar Rolls Centre

What about our favourite stuffing wrapped in crispy roti with extra cilantro and onions? It was always my favourite item in the lunchbox in school, and I found this delicacy at Shahi Darbar in Yeshwanthpur.

The shop has been here for over a decade, referred to me by a friend, who made this place their favourite hangout. At Shahi Darbar, one can never stop at one paneer or chicken roll — my favourite substitute for a full-fledged meal.

The waiting time for each order is about 15 minutes, and the rolls are always served fresh and piping hot. Although there is no seating arrangement, you would not notice time passing by watching the cook make the rolls. You can always order the rolls to go.

Khan Saheb Grills and Rolls

Khan Saheb is another food joint in Indiranagar that’s not heavy on your pocket. The first dish I tried here was the world-famous kathi roll.

Khan Saheb is popular for its range of kebabs such as Chicken Malai Tikka, Chicken Kalmi, and Mutton Seikh kebabs. Their Beda Roti is also great, which goes best with Chicken and Mutton. Their vegetarian options include Baby Corn, Aloo Tikka, Paneer Tikka, and Grilled Mushroom. They also have a variety of yummy and crunchy rolls, and an evolving menu that panders to all palates. Grilled meat is used in rolls, and their smokey taste is heavenly.

There's no place to sit, but that doesn't stop anyone from enjoying the food here. The place is a hot favourite with students. My absolute favourites are the Double Egg Chicken Roll, Mushroom Roll, and Baby Corn Tikka. Be prepared to face a long line of hungry students at Khan Saheb any time of the day!

By 2 Coffee

By 2 Coffee is an excellent place for south Indian food. The menu is limited, but the food is amazing, especially their Upma and Filter Coffee! The chutney was so good I asked for so many servings! Pamper your sweet tooth with Halwa and Gulab Jamun. The place is usually crowded and has a token system, and there is no place to sit. But the pricing is unbelievably low for food this good.

Puchkas

Puchkas is the place to go if you are looking for quick bites. You will find this franchise at almost every major tourist spot in Bangalore. Puchkas serves a bevvy of hygienic and flavourful food items. Don't miss their Poha Jalebi and Pani Puri. I also loved their Chole Bhature and Panner. Special mentions go to Paneer Sandwich, Sevpuri, Golgappe and Dhokla. Ghee Jalebi is a good choice if you want to try something sweet.

Rakesh Kumar Pani Puri Stall

There is no excuse for not trying pain puri if you live in India. If you are in Bangalore, make your way to Rakesh Kumar Pani Puri Stall in Jayanagar. The eatery has been around for about 20 years, and the pricing is unbelievably low. They make the crunchiest Puris with pani of east Indian flavours. They also serve the best Papadi and Churmur Chats.

Shri Sagar CTR

This eatery in Malleshwaram is one of the oldest shops in Bangalore. It is famed for serving the best Benne Masala Dosa at affordable prices. I loved eating their masala dosa with Pudina Chutney & Sans Sambar. Ask specifically for Red Masala in your masala dosa. Their Filter Coffee is excellent. They also serve Idli, Vada, Poori Sagu, Kesari Bhat and other south Indian varieties.

There's a long queue on weekends, and you may find it difficult to park here. I remember reading about the musician Lucky Ali praising this restaurant. No wonder people come here in the early morning and queue up for breakfast!

Chetti’s Corner

This restaurant chain was started by two brothers in 1997. They have many outlets in Bangalore, and their dishes are a unique blend of western and Indian flavours. This is an excellent place for a quick bite. Do try their bun Nippat Masala, twisted Potatoes, and Masala Soda. Their Boat Pizza, Onion Cheese Sandwich, and Veg Cheese Nachos are filled with flavours. They have ample parking space, and the place is usually busy with long queues any time of the day.

What are you waiting for?

With this exclusive list of affordable eateries in Bangalore, your food tour of this metropolitan hub is sorted! The next time you roam around the streets of this city, do try some delicious items in these places. Let the feasting begin!