We all know it, 12th Main Road in Indiranagar is.the.coolest street in Bangalore (don’t @ me, Koramangala people). It is almost too cool for its own good, with so many choices and new restaurants popping up every other weekend, that it is easy to get overwhelmed. Fear not, I have eaten my weight in food up and down 12th Main so you don’t have to. Here is my ultimate guide to the best of the best.
BEST FOR A WORKING DAY
If you are freelancing, blogging, writing for The Vine or starting your side hustle, you probably want to break up the routine of working from home in your PJs. Head over to Tata Cha for a really cool atmosphere, amazing chai, and some yummy cream cones. It is a great mix of getting the buzzing 12thMain atmosphere, while still being chilled out enough to be able to focus. My favorite is their ginger chai, but coffee drinkers need not fear because their filter kaapi is also great.
Tata Cha, No 2985, 12th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, 560038, Tel: 80012 08242, www.tatacha.com
BEST PIZZA
Not just on 12th Main, in Bangalore, possibly in India. The Pizza Bakery is always packed, and there is a good reason for it. It. Is. Amazing. I brought my parents to Pizza Bakery and they swear it is the best pizza they ever had, Italy included. Their menu has plenty of both veg and non-veg options, but my favorite is the Creamy Béchamel. My meat-eating husband swears by Pig Out. Avoid dinnertime on the weekends because it is nearly impossible to get a table. They recently got on Swiggy if you don’t feel like venturing out, but I have to say the décor is lovely and as Instagramable as the pizzas.
The Pizza Bakery, 2985, 12th Main Rd, Hal, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038, Tel: 80252 02225, Facebook Page
BEST ASIAN
Now, this is a hard one. Fatty Bao is an expat favorite for a reason, but I urge you to explore other places as well. Burma Burma is my absolute favorite restaurant in the whole wide world and Burmese cuisine beyond khow suay is rare to find, so definitely give it a go. It is a Mumbai-based restaurant that packs a style punch and a great place for a “ladies who lunch” type of an afternoon.
Mamagoto bounces between great and average, but their tacos are worth going over for, especially paired with a nice cocktail. Phobidden Fruit is great for pho (surprise, surprise) and a nice date night option, just beware they serve only beer. Siam Trading Company (previously known as One Night in Bangkok) is lovely, but avoid their pork belly dishes- they tend to be overcooked to the point of being inedible.
The Fatty Bao, 610, 12th A Main Road, 80 feet Road, 7th Cross, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, 560008, Tel: 80441 14499, www.olivebarandkitchen.com
Burma Burma, 607, 12th Main Road, 7th Cross, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, HAL 2nd Stage, 560038, Tel: 80430 08120, burmaburma.in
Mamagoto, No.949, Ground Floor, 12th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Appareddipalya, Indiranagar, 560038, Tel: 88844 98760, www.mamagoto.in
Phobidden Fruit, 965, 12th Main Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, 560038, Tel: 80412 55175, Facebook Page
Siam Trading Company, 1079, 12th Main Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Appareddipalya, Indiranagar, 560008, Tel: 99721 48287, www.siambangalore.com
BEST FOR BEER AND WINGS
Plan B is THE house of wings. When we moved from Dubai my husband’s main concern was where is he going to get good wings, so I suspect we moved to Indiranagar to be close to Plan B. Their wings are legendary, ask any old Bangalorian and no one will even mention any other place except Plan B. The crowd tends to be on the younger side, but I love that college student feeling I get every time I go. Get the dry peri peri rub wings and mac and cheese for a side. They have a different deal every evening, making it really pocket-friendly.
Plan B, 957, 12th Main, Opp. Gold’s Gym, Indiranagar, 560038, Tel: 80416 09100, holycowhospitality.com
Babayaga’s, above Mamagato, is still a bit of a hidden gem, but I have a feeling it just might knock Plan B off the top spot for wings. As it is quite new, it is still not as packed, so go for a quieter ambiance. The décor is old American diner style, the wings are amazing and the beer is cold. The crowd is not as young as in Plan B but it’s still super chilled. Great for a chilled out Sunday afternoon on the terrace while the weather is still nice.
Babayaga’s, No.949, 12th Main Rd, Sodepur, Appareddipalya, Indiranagar, 560008, Tel: 80437 56555, Zomato
BEST FOR ROOFTOP DRINKS
Indiranagar is famous for an abundance of rooftop bars and it’s hard to go wrong really, but on 12th Main itself, there is one place to be, and that is Hangover. Book well in advance if you want a table on the terrace (and of course you do) and start in the late afternoon, watching the crowds get more and more in the party mode. It is a happening, hip place so dress accordingly! Their food is also quite good for bar food, chilly chicken especially. I love their gimlets!
Hangover, 1080, 12th Main Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Appareddipalya, Indiranagar, 560008, Tel: 80252 65566, Facebook Page
BEST FOR A FANCY NIGHT OUT
Sly Granny is a revelation. From the artwork and different décor in every room to amazing cocktails and food, it is one of the first places I take people that come to visit, the first always being MTSR because dosa is life. Take your kids to lunch in the downstairs dining room or leave them at home to hit the upstairs bar, whatever you choose you are in for a treat. I love their figs and blue cheese toast and Brixton Smash cocktail that will truly smash you after a few. It is a higher end place and the prices reflect that, but the quality is there as well. They also do breakfast and brunch on the weekends, and the breakfast especially is delightful.
Sly Granny, 3rd Floor, # 618, Above Chicco, 12th Main Rd, Indiranagar, 560038, Tel: 80485 36712, www.slystories.in
Nevermind is a new kid on a block and it already made a mark on the nightlife in Indiranagar. It is absolutely beautiful, from a canopy of green that welcomes you to muted rose gold bar. Not only is it super Instagramable, but the food and drinks match the snazzy décor. I love their Booze and Tonic section of innovative G&Ts. The food is pan-Asian (isn’t it everywhere these days), but here it’s actually really good. The dim sum is yum and both the veg and non-veg sections are well developed. Come on a weekend for cocktails and great DJs or on a weekday for a ladies who lunch affair.
Nevermind, No.614, 615, 12th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, 560008, Tel: 91108 41695, nevermindblr.com
HONORABLE MENTION
On 6th Main, rather than 12th Main, Forage has quickly become one of my firm favorites. Their steak is phenomenal, so if that is something you have been missing in Bangalore, go for it. Forage has a great wine list and a beautiful terrace made for sipping a chilled glass of white and feeling like you are not two feet away from crazy traffic. The food is all local ingredients prepared in a healthy, modern, clean way. The owner is usually around and will guide you through the menu. Try the rice cake, the traditional meal of warrior clans in Coorg.
Forage, 318, 6th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Defence Colony, Indiranagar, 560038, Tel: 80485 25250, Facebook Page
Did I miss any of your favorites? Let us know! I will gladly expend this article and my belly testing out other places.
