From Dosa To Leg Soup, Here's Where You Should Be Breakfasting In Bangalore

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“Let’s meet for breakfast.” This is one of those sentences I miss the most about Bangalore. We all know of the awesome pub culture the place has but the beautiful people of Bangalore love their breakfast even more and rightly so. With varieties ranging from the good old Masala Dosa and Idli to Paya Soup, Bangalore offers you a plethora of choices for breakfast. While it’s impossible for me to list down all of them, here are a few based on my own personal choice as well as a few of my friend’s choices.

Koshy’s

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Koshy’s still has a very old world charm about it and is also one of the more famous eateries in Bangalore. Rumour has it that even noted personalities like Queen Elizabeth II & Jawaharlal Nehru have dined here once upon a time. Well, if it’s good enough for the queen, I guess it’s worth giving a shot now isn’t it?! Koshy’s was a personal favorite when I was living in Bangalore. Breakfast there included poached eggs on Toast with a side of fried bacon and juice. Other must try items on the menu is the mutton omelettte and Mutton on toast. The place has not only survived since 1940 but has adherently become a part of the Bangalore culture.  

Location: 39, St Mark’s Road

Cost for 2: Rs.800 (approx)

MTR- Mavalli Tiffin Room

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The early bird gets the worm and the same applies to anybody looking to eat what is probably the world’s best Idli and Dosa. MTR opens as early as 6.30 am and if you don’t reach there early enough you may just have to wait an hour or more to finally get a table. There is nothing peaceful about the place, it is definitely not for a lazy prolonged breakfast but the food! The food more than makes up for the chaos. Established in 1924, which makes it the oldest Idli/Dosa place in Bangalore, MTR has been serving comfort food for decades now without compromising on the quality. Must try on the menu are the Rava Idlis and Masala Dosa with a cup of Coffee.

Location: 14, Lalbagh Road, Mavalli, near Basavanagudi

Cost for 2: Rs. 450 (approx.)

Hole In The Wall

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Nothing fuels you up for the day like a great breakfast and Hole In The Wall delivers just that. Tucked away on a street in Koramangala, this no frills place is more than what meets the eye. Don’t be surprised if you see a long queue waiting outside because Hole In The Wall is known for its extensive breakfast menu. You should try The All American Breakfast, The Farmer’s Basket and The Hangover Remedy. Their pancakes and  waffles are brilliant as well.

Location: 4, 8^th main road, 4^th block, Koramangala

Cost for 2: Rs. 700 (approx)

Ranganna Military Hotel

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Probably not for the ones looking to do a conventional breakfast. 

Kannadiga cuisine is often mistaken to be primarily vegetarian but there is a whole lesser known yet delicious non vegetarian side to it and the best place to have it is at the famous Military Hotels in the city. One such place is Ranganna Military Hotel which is known to serve the best Leg Soup aka Paya in the city. If you are looking for something less adventurous then the Ragi Mudde with Chicken masala is your best bet. Vegetarians can get the usual idli and dosa, though this place is known primarily for the leg soup.

Location: 61, 1^st floor, K.R. road, 7^th block, Jayanagar

Cost for 2: Rs.250 (approx)

Brahmin’s Coffee Bar

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What if I told you that a restaurant has been serving only 4 items for 46 years, would you believe me? Probably not, but Brahmin’s Coffee Bar has been offering a humble fare of just Idli, Vade, Khara Bhath and Kesari Bhath for decades. Couple your order with coffee or tea and you are good to go. Ridiculously cheap and extremely delicious, no wonder Brahmin’s is still brimming with customers even today.

Location: Ranga Rao road, near Shankar Math, Shankarapuram, Basavanagudi area.

Cost for 2: Rs. 100

Honorable Mentions: 

Ice & Spice (Koramangala)

Red Fork (Indira Nagar)

Veena Stores (Malleshwaram)

Read This Only If You Love To Travel

Traveling is not a luxury but a necessity. It broadens one's outlook towards the world, makes you tolerant, lets you experience cultures apart from your own, leaves you with friends around the world and gives you an education beyond that of a classroom. 

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Traveling needn't be expensive or always to some exotic location. Look around you, there is so much to see and explore. Barely a few miles from your city you will find a destination to travel to, every place is surrounded with something beautiful and interesting, it only takes a will to see that. There are many stories waiting to be heard by you.

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While travel may seem expensive to some, treat it like an investment. Set a goal for yourself, figure out how much money you will need to turn your dream destination into a reality and work towards it. Cut back on the weekend beers and put that money aside for something much more valuable.
 

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Travel may not pay you back in terms of cash, but the experience and memories you gain from seeing a new place are worth much more than monetary benefit. 

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No amount of surfing the internet or reading travel magazines or even listening to your friend's travel tales will make you truly understand the anatomy of a place, the only way to do it is to have an experience of your own.

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Make an effort to go see the world, there are lots of ways to do it without spending a small fortune. Volunteer to teach; lots of countries have a program where volunteers can come and stay for a few months and teach English. Accommodation and food are usually taken care of by your host, another way to save on accommodation is to couch surf. You can even opt for youth hostels or go sign up for group backpacking tours. The possibilities are endless if you are truly determined to make it happen.

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The want to travel is a positive sign, a sign that you love life and are hopeful. You love to look at the positive side of things, you are always looking ahead. A traveler is one who tries to find happiness in little things. He values life and wants to do more than just a 9 to 5 with it.

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Travel now when you are young and have comparatively less responsibilities, and when you grow older, make the time to travel atleast once a year. 

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Live a life where you can look back and say you lived it to the fullest, that you enriched your soul and mind with unforgettable journeys and maybe have a wicked story or two to tell! 

Ten Beautiful Destinations Where Indians Can Get A Visa On Arrival!

A trip abroad means a lot of preparations, one has to take budgets into account, where to stay, what to see, transport and getting that oh so coveted visa. Well let me take care of one element from the long list of preparations here, take a close look at these exotic destinations all of which provide visa on arrival for Indians!

Indonesia

The beaches of Bali, Komodo Dragon sightings or the bustling city of Jakarta, whatever your pick, Indonesia allows a 30 days visa on arrival for Indians. So get ready to party it up in Bali and scuba dive at Gili Islands. Your dream vacation just got real!

Thailand

If there was one place that mixed in the beauty of the beach life, affordable shopping and a great nightlife, it would definitely have to be Thailand. Be it Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Chiang Mai or even Koh Samui, Thailand has a lot to offer at super affordable prices. What makes this even sweeter is the 15 day visa on arrival that we Indians are entitled to. A visa fee of Thai Baht needs to be paid in full and the visa on arrival has to be obtained at the first point of entry into the country.

More details here.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of those destinations that is easily accessible from India and for once the Indian currency stands stronger, which means more luxury at a cheaper price! Sri Lanka is all about luxury living at a fraction of the cost. Sri Lanka has a lot to offer in terms of tourism as well, from the Buddhist township of Anuradhapura to surfing at Arugam Bay and whale spotting at Galle Face, you have a host of activities to choose from. Indians can get upto 30 days visa on arrival in Sri Lanka.

More on Sri Lanka here.

Cambodia

Cambodia for me has a strong resonance with Lara Croft. It spells mystery and adventure and is bound to bring out the inner explorer in you. A visit to Ta Prohm (where Tomb Raider was shot) will definitely leave you awestruck. Other places of interest include Angkor Wat, Siem Reap city, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville beach. The good news is that you have a 30 day visa on arrival to do all of that!

Hong Kong

This crazy little city is a great vacation spot, be it with family or friends. Have a fun filled day trying out the varied cuisine at some of the best restaurants or go pub hopping at night, a visit to Disneyland or even a day spent simply shopping, Hong Kong won’t disappoint.  What’s even better is that you have all of 14 days of a visa on arrival to do that.

Fiji

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This one is for the beach bums who are willing to shell out the extra bucks for the perfect resort getaway. Fiji has the most pristine beaches and is rich in aquatic flora and fauna, so its great for diving as well. If its lazy beaches and a day at the golf course you are looking at, Fiji is perfect for you especially since you are entitled to a 4 month visa on arrival. Go figure!

Seychelles

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Another beach destination that is rich in diverse aquatic flora and fauna and thanks to Prince William and Kate Middleton, Seychelles is now even far more popular that it was before.  It’s also fast becoming a sought after destinations for weddings and honeymoon. Maybe fly there with your special someone and you can stay upto 1 month on a visa on arrival.

Jordan

A fun filled mix of fun and adventure, and history and culture is what you get in Jordan. A visit to the iconic Dead Sea or the ancient city of Petra, a thrilling hot air balloon ride over mountain tops at Wadi Rum or a horseback ride through the ancient silk route, you pick what interests you the most because you have a total of 2 weeks to see it all here. Another thing to note, it’s necessary to have USD $ 3000 in order to be able to get a visa on arrival.

Maldives

Another popular beach destination, best for all those who want to just relax and sip on margaritas while lazing at the beach, Maldives gives up to a 90 days visa on arrival for Indians.

Kenya

Where else will you find such exotic wildlife but in Masai Mara, Kenya. The true experience of an African Safari is best experienced here. Other places of interest include Nairobi, Mombasa, Lake Nakuru and Samburu National Reserve.

If this didn't urge you to go and plan out your next vacation, I don’t know what will!

10 Travel Essentials Every Traveler Should Pack

Traveling is probably one of the best feelings in the world. It gives one a sudden rush of adrenaline as if experiencing a freedom of sorts for the first time. You get to delve deep into a place you were once alien to. But there is a very important step that comes into play before you can wave your shiny ticket and board the plane, yes, I'm talking about that little job called packing.

While we always manage to back the best of our clothes and shoes we need to keep in mind that there are a few basic essentials which need to find their way into our bags.

To make things easier for you, here's a list of the 10 basic items that you should always pack.

Sunscreen

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Most of us often forget this very essential item while packing. Always carry a bottle of sunscreen wherever you are traveling to. Ofcourse the SPF could vary depending on the destination, but sunscreen is a must and I'm not talking about just the tropical beaches. You will very well need it in places like Ladakh as well during the summers.

Comfortable Shoes

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While we may pack our best footwear- high heels and boots included, its always a good idea to throw in a pair of comfortable walking shoes especially if you know that your travel includes a bit of walking. I swear by converse sneakers, they are super comfortable and look good too!

Universal Adapter Plug

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I remember having to rent a universal adapter from the little chalet I was staying at while in Engelberg; a tiny Swiss town with barely any convenience stores. I was lucky that I managed to beat a few other visitors to renting the sole adapter the hotel had. Avoid such a situation, always always carry a universal adapter plug if you are traveling abroad and a multiplug adapter if traveling within your own country. This is definitely one of the top necessities of a traveler.

Sunglasses

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Invest in a good pair of polarized sunglasses which have UV protection. Cheap off the street pairs wont do you any good and they can be harmful for the eyes as well. Sunglasses are a must while traveling, they not only shield your eyes from the sun but also protect them from the dust.

Face Wipes

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I always make it a point to carry a small pack of wet wipes in my handbag. These little sheets of perfumed tissues may not seem too important, but believe me they can help you feel refreshed instantly after a long flight, a long drive or even the hot sun.

Basic First Aid Supplies

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This includes band aids, nausea relieving pills and Alka Seltzer- which happens to be my go to pill for any discomfort experienced during my travels. Its always a good idea to have some basic firts aid supply in your bag all the time.

Hat/Scarf/Cap

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Fashionable and extremely handy if you are traveling to a place thats going to be hot and sunny. Hats and scarves will not only help you escape the sun but also protect your hair from any potential damage due to the weather conditions.

A Pair Of Extra Clothing In Your Handbag

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Its a good idea to have a clean set of clothes in your handbag especially if you are flying. there is a small possibility that your luggage might just get misplaced and that extra pair of pants and the shirt that you packed in your handbag will be your savior in such a situation.

Copies of your passport

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Never ever lose your passport when you are in another country, and just in case you have a stroke of terrible luck then those copies that you made of your passport might just help you in the time of need. Its always a good idea to either scan your passport and save it on your email or your mobile device so that you can print physical copies of it whenever required.

Zip Lock Pouches

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We all tend to get a bit laid-back when we travel and washing our clothes may not be the first thing on our minds. So what do we do with the unwashed clothes, the sandy flip-flops, or the little knick knacks we picked up from the street side shops? Ziplock them! Carry a handful of zip-lock bags and you wont have to worry about your clean clothes mixing up with your dirty ones.

So next time you are packing up for a trip, don't forget these small but very essential items.

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Happy Travels!