The traffic may be horrendous but the weather is delightful most of the year. No wonder there are several open-air restaurants in Bengaluru that you can head to for a drink and a good meal. While this list is by no means exhaustive, here are our recommendations for a great night out, while socially distancing. Do make sure though to call in for reservations and availability – Bengaluru’s weather is as unpredictable as it is wonderful!
1Q1 Kitchen and Bar
Large screens for matches, dimsum specials, great cocktails, and multiple spaces to choose from – 1Q1 can be just what you need to unwind on the weekends. In the heart of the city but still away from the bustle of it all.
Where: Indian Express Building
Contact: +91 80 4805 0101
Salvadores
Here is one of those hidden gems, tucked away on the topmost floor of a mall. Nevertheless, the experience is nothing short of elegant, given the underlying Victorian theme, topnotch food, and selection of premium wines and spirits. The al-fresco dining area gives you a peek at the city from way up high.
Where: Bangalore Central Mall, MG Road
Contact: +91 80 2558 4076
Bang, Ritz Carlton
The rooftop of the Ritz Carlton is home to the wonderful space Bang. A chic bar that gives you some of the best views of the city, and in an ambience that lets you sit back and let your hair down. There’s a great range of cocktails and small plates to choose from here.
Where: Residency Road
Contact: +91 80 4914 8000
Byg Brewski, Hennur
Byg Brewski is all about the vast space. Choose to sit by a water body, or way up high to catch the sunset. The food and drink here have always been great as is the service.
Where: Hennur
Contact: +91 80 4680 9796
BG’s Poolside Bar and Grill, Courtyard by Marriott, ORR
This poolside restaurant that gives you a lovely view of the city on one side and the beautifully lit façade of the hotel on the other, makes for a lovely outdoor dining spot. Indulge in an innovative culinary fare enhanced with Asian specialties along with signature cocktails. Enjoy a poolside brunch every Sunday too.
Where: Marathahalli
Contact: +91 8071 203 040
Bo Tai
Set just off the lobby at the JW Marriott, Bo Tai dishes out some innovative modern Chinese and Thai grill. The cocktails are great too. Evenings under the large fig tree, the focus of the outdoor setting, are memorable.
Where: Vittal Mallya Road
Contact: +91 73497 68792
Brik Oven
Sinfully good pizzas – like the Popeye and Olive Oyl, with grilled chicken, spinach, onions, mozzarella, and a drizzle of olive oil! And this is just one of many lovely ones. Their sandwiches are the real deal too. And not to forget some of their amazing shakes – the Nutella Freak Shake is one to order.
Where: Indiranagar
Contact: +91 91481 00119
Green Theory
Pet parents, if you are looking for a place to take your four-legged babies and have a great meal, then Green Theory is where you should be headed. You sit in the midst of a lot of greenery under canopies and get to choose from a lovely vegetarian menu.
Where: Convent Road
Contact: Via website
Cantan, Chinese Bar House
Firmly rooted in its origins in China, with a focus on Cantonese cuisine, Cantan – Chinese Bar House, captures the complex depth of food from this vast Asian nation. Spread over two floors, this 150-seater trendy Chinese restaurant and bar, brings a contemporary approach to recreating Cantonese and Sichuan culinary traditions. The cute little pork baos are a favourite here.
Where: Lavelle Road
Contact: +91 80 4866 9269
Kaze
Date night or family night, Kaze offers some brilliant views of the city in an expansive rooftop space. Asian Tapas, Izakaya menu, Japanese grills – all paired with some great cocktails is what Kaze has to offer.
Where: Lavelle Road
Contact: +91 90084 72111
Copitas, Four Seasons Hotel
Located on the 21st floor of the Four Seasons, one can recline here with an artisanal craft cocktail while looking out across the sparkling Bengaluru skyline. This is the perfect evening meeting place to try out imaginative, unusual cocktail creations and delicious light bites. Curated sundowner packages from 5:00 to 7:00 pm have a range of attractive beverage offerings you can enjoy along with the stunning outdoors of Copitas.
Where: Bellary Road, Ganganagar
Contact: +91 80 4522 2222
Olive Beach
Olive Beach is like a rite of passage for anyone visiting Bengaluru. It’s among the oldest premium standalone restaurants in the city and its popularity never sees a dip. An alfresco catch-up with friends, a romantic dinner under the stars, or a happy afternoon with the family, Olive Beach never disappoints.
Where: Wood Street, Ashoknagar, Richmond Road
Contact: Via website.
Geist Brewing Factory
An open-air restaurant that is built around an old banyan tree. Some great food and craft beer. What more can you ask for in Bengaluru? From roasts and pizzas to a range of pub grub, there’s much to choose from to pair with your favourite Kamacitra or Uncle Dunkle.
Where: Old Madras Road
Contact: +91 88619 44469
High Ultra Lounge
It’s all about the views at High Ultra Lounge. The winds can really gush past you in the evenings, but it is worth it when you catch the sun setting on the city. Asian fare and cocktails are the way to go here.
Where: Rooftop, World Trade Center
Contact: +91 80 4567 4567
Koramingle
KoraMingle is the new kid on the block and the friendly neighborhood bar. Head out with your buddies and spend the day over conversations and laughter here.
Where: Koramangala
Contact: +91 99860 87000
Machan, Taj West End, Bengaluru
Recently launched, the legendary all-day diner Machan is the restaurant’s first outpost from Delhi, where it originated in 1978. The jungle-themed eatery is nestled amidst acres of green foliage and offers indoor and outdoor alfresco dining. The eclectic menu comprises local and global cuisine inspired by the jungles of the world, also paying homage to the forests of Karnataka.
Where: Race Course Road
Contact: +91 80666 05660
Lapis, The Oberoi Bengaluru
When at The Oberoi Bengaluru, you will want to find a space on the Lapis deck. Cocooned in the midst of some lovely landscaping, the space is like an oasis in a noisy city. The food and drink is brilliant in every aspect. Look out for their Sunday brunch that launches on November 1 with a great champagne deal.
Where: MG Road
Contact: +91 80 2558 5858
Ozaa, Oakwood Premier Prestige Bangalore
A pool-side restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant is now operational with 50% seating and you can look forward to some great grills and a range of accompaniments.
Where: UB City – Vittal Mallya Road
Contact: +91 80 6670 8888
Sly Granny
Sly Granny’s shenanigans are by now legendary in Bengaluru. As is the food and drink. Work your way through the space, if it’s your first time and head to the rooftop set-up for a great night out.
Where: Indiranagar
Contact: +91 80 4853 6712
Shiro
Another loved name on the restaurant landscape of Bengaluru. You’ll find Asian grub here, from sushi to teppanyaki, to dimsums and more. The outdoor space is designed to give you the privacy and space you need. Choose from a range of cocktails to go with your food, and do try the Hibachi rice – a personal favourite.
Where: UB City, Vittal Mallya Road
Contact: +91 80 4173 8861
The Pump House
Here is a space that has a retractable roof! So even if you are indoors and the weather is great, you may still have a chance of looking up at the sky. Besides that, the first floor opens out into a lovely outdoor space where you can spend some time with good beer and grub.
Where: JP Nagar
Contact: +91 96061 27666
The Bier Library
The biggest draw here has always been the open space, the koi pond, and the lovely view of the open space across the floors of seating. Add good food and craft beer to the equation and you have yourself the recipe for a lovely time out.
Where: Koramangala
Contact: +91 91081 80000
The Courtyard
A café in the courtyard of an old Bengaluru home. This is a space that invites you to come over with friends for movie night, have a book reading, organize a flea market or even hire out the entire kitchen for you to experiment on something if you would like to. The café dishes out some wonderful international grub and the ambience is just the shot of calm you need.
Where: KH Road, Shantinagar
Contact: +91 3386 77996
Red Rhino
An expansive brew pub, its rooftop is where you want to be on an evening out in Whitefield. Go through their vast range of small plates and pair it with some craft beer. It’s a place that is loved enough for people to travel to from the city.
Where: Whitefield
Contact: +91 90360 18641
Uru Brewpark
At Uru, you can sit under the shade of a charming Ficus tree, take a stroll in the park with a beer in hand or sample in-house brews with some good music in the background. In short, there is something for everyone and every mood.
Where: JP Nagar 4th Phase
Contact: +91 80 4051 1500
All images: Courtesy restaurants
Ruth Dsouza Prabhu
Ruth is an independent journalist based in Bangalore. Always in pursuit of the next story that interests her, loves her food and drink, bookworm and a sucker for sunsets and airplane journeys.
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