Looking for a restaurant to take your significant other to for a special date night? Look no further! Doesn’t matter if you make date night a once-a-week thing like our Head of Events Jana or if you’re more of an anniversary only kind of a couple, we’ve got your covered. Here are some of our favorites, from up-and-coming new spots to some old favorites that never disappoint.
FARMLORE
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months, you must have heard all the rave reviews pouring in for this fine dining restaurant. Located on a farm, Farmlore does local, sustainable gastronomy exceptionally well. Their tasting menu changes depending on the season and the available produce, but it is always exciting, soulful and most importantly delicious! We were especially delighted by the boozy gummy bears and hope they stay on the menu forever. Book the chef’s table for a truly unique dining experience and enjoy the easy banter with the chefs (including chef Mythrayie Iyer who worked at Noma).
THE VINE TIP: Farmlore is BYOB so make sure you pick up a bottle of your favorite wine on your way! Also, booking is mandatory via their website so don’t count on winging it.
BOMBAY BOROUGH
This modern, light and airy Indian eatery is the newest addition to Wood Street (opposite Olive and next to Toast & Tonic) and is an amazing option for date night in Central Bangalore. The food is Indian with a twist, smart without being pretentious, and the cocktails are delicious. A great place for a relaxed date or if you’d like to introduce your partner to the joys of Indian gastronomy without it being too intimidating. Bombay Borough quickly got added to our rotation of favorite restaurants in the city!
PHOBBIDEN FRUIT
Phobbiden fruit screams romance! From the dimmed lights, the quiet nooks and the outdoor spaces, it is one of our all time favorites for when we want to impress. This Vietnamese restaurant is a long-time Bangalore favorite and the food never disappoints. They are famous for their pho (go figure), but you won’t go wrong with any item on the menu. Phobidden Fruit has a great selection for both vegetarians and carnivores, making romance easy across dietary divides.
RAAHI NEO KITCHEN AND BAR
Raahi just screams cool. From the massive bar to the dance floor, plush seating options and the crowd, this is the place to be. Raahi does experimental Indian very, very well, but their cocktails are where it’s at. Check out their Instagram for their party nights, either to dance the night away, or to avoid if you are looking for a quiet date night. Either way, you can bet on the second date happening if you take your partner to Raahi!
DADDY
It is not easy to stand out on 12th Main, but Daddy sure does. Their restaurant is nice and modern, but their rooftop is spectacular. Time your booking with the sunset to score those extra points and enjoy the vibe. Their drinks menu is more than decent and the food has some really strong highlights among your regular pub fare. We are fans of sharing their pizza while having a few drinks and listening to some great tunes as the rooftop slowly turns into a dance floor. Not just for lovers, this is a great option for girl’s night out as well.
SUZY Q
Suzy Q took over from 1Q1 and took it up a notch. The décor is pure opulence, the food is great and the cocktails are on point. This is a seriously stylish place, so dress up! The menu is massive, which can go either way, but in this case it makes for a fun night of trying out different dishes and sharing plates. A great option for a fun night in Central Bangalore.
MIRAGE
A relatively new rooftop bar overlooking Church Street, Mirage quickly became a firm favorite of who’s who of Bangalore. The décor is luxurious and the staff is attentive without being too intrusive. Their drinks list is great and there are some standout dishes, such as the truffle edamame ravioli, which are pure silk. Mirage does get very busy on the weekends, so for a date night we would suggest a weeknight!
GRASSHOPPER
Grasshopper is an institution for a reason and still gives all these newcomers a run for their money. Sticking to clean, seasonal, continental cooking and exceptional wines, Grasshopper is insanely romantic and insanely tasty. It is a bit out of the way unless you live in South Bangalore, but well worth the trip! Grasshopper also has a lovely small boutique, which allows us to combine two of our great passions, food and fashion. Come hungry because their tasting menu deserves your full attention.
SECRET STORY
Located just above Araku Coffee on 12th Main, Secret Story is a newcomer on the Indiranagar scene that’s making waves. Secret Story is a great option for both day and night time dates, with a lovely rooftop to enjoy Bangalore weather and a DJ in the evenings. The food is lovely; especially the dumplings, but their cocktails are a true work of art! We especially love the Candy Bot.
THE VINE PRO TIP: The new Blown location is right next door to Secret Story- get your hair on point before your big date!
