Shop & Nibble: The Best Markets and Street Food in Bangalore

Bangalore, or Bengaluru, is the capital of Karnataka. With a population of more than 11.5 million people, it is the third most populous city in India. It is a gigantic place, with tons of opportunities to eat and shop. So, to help you out, we have narrowed down the list to the best markets and street food in Bangalore. Happy shopping and bon appétit!

 
Commercial Street

This market is busy-busy! Whether you’re looking for international brands or local products, you’ll find anything that you could ever wish for here. Through endless lines of stalls and shops, you can shop for antiques, jewelry, leather apparel and books, too. Students, too, frequent this area of the garden city so there’s a fresh vibe around the place. Don’t forget to haggle with the sellers (sometimes it’s hard, but never give up!) and don’t forget to keep your eyes open, since street food vendors offer some of the best pani puri, chana jor garam and bhutta you’ll ever have! You’ll find the street easily, since it’s near MG Road.
 
Sampige Road

In the center of Malleswaram, the Sampige Road market will provide you with an authentic India experience. Most of the locals come here to buy, well, everything. Just a list of things you can find here: religious souvenirs, books, antiques, flowers, fruits, incredible home-and handmade sweet delicacies, electronics, and colourful textiles and sarees. In other words, take some cash with you, because you won’t be able to tear yourself away from these magical stalls!
 
Mosque Road

For fresh treats, head to Mosque Road, considered one of the most special street food places in Bangalore. There are food specialties like mutton samosas, biryani and rose-flavoured falooda, but you can also find Shivaji Nagar and Albert Bakery for something extraordinary: the former is an eatery that sells kebabs made from camel meat, and in the latter, you can eat bheja, or deep-fried goat brain.
 
Thindi Beedi

A whole street filled with food, you’ll find this heaven for vegetarians near Minerva Circle. It is the perfect place to sample food from Karnataka and from other parts of the country, be it sweet or savoury. For people with an insatiable sweet tooth, VB Bakery at the beginning of the street is recommended, because their cakes and cream puffs are otherworldly. Dosa fans will feel like they’re in heaven, because this street is famous for its amount and variety of dosas. Must-try dishes are the bhath masala dosa and the bisi bisi masala dosa. Oh, and the white drinks they sell at most stalls? Hot almond milk, a delicious way to wash down that great big meal that you just had!
 

 
Brigade Road

Young people shop here mostly; there are many international brands located in this area. The road is scattered with big brands and small stalls selling bric-a-bracs and items of clothing (even shoes), and the shops are open well into the night. You’ll find Eva Mall nearby, with an umpteen number of places to shop at, and the Mota Royal Arcade will provide you with an opportunity to “research” some of India’s largest brands.
 
Karnataka Bhel House
Obviously, it’s all about the Bhel here. Established in 1975, this not too large eatery on Bazaar Street in Chamrajpet is considered the best place to eat traditional Indian chaat. You have to try their masala puri, and don’t be surprised when you see that there aren’t too many items on their menu: they take pride in serving not too many types of dishes, but making them right, with the best and freshest ingredients. They have a wonderful selection of ice creams. Since the place isn’t too large and there aren’t too many seats, you may have to chow down on your chaat standing in the street, but it’ll be well worth it.
 
Residency Road

If you’re a fan of handmade items, Residency Road will be your go-to place during your stay in Bangalore. Even if you’re just passing through (like during the Rickshaw Challenge Mumbai Xpress,) you can take a couple of hours and browse through all the handicrafts that this area has to offer. There are many government-owned craft shops selling sophisticated products at affordable prices. One of these is Gangotri, where you’ll find the most amazing brassware, wooden furniture and jewellery of all sorts – naturally, all handmade. In any case, any handicraft that you’ll find and buy here will become an authentic addition to your collection of Indian keepsakes.