A culinary tour of Bengaluru’s iconic eateries in the Majestic area

Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor to the city, exploring some iconic food spots in Majestic will leave you with a full stomach and a happy heart. From traditional Gowdru style Karnataka cuisine, North Karnataka’s popular Khanavalis, coastal treats to Maratha flavours, the Majestic, known for its bustling bus and railway terminals, is also a popular hub for food lovers. What sets these eateries apart is not just their food but the cultural and historic tapestry they weave.

One of the most popular eateries in the area is 44-year-old restaurant – Hotel Navayuga, in Subedar Chatram Road, Gandhi Nagar, which is also called as “Annavra biryani hotel”, as it rose to fame after late legendary Kannada film star Rajkumar became a frequent visitor, and so was his son Puneeth Rajkumar.

Speaking to The Hindu, Srinivas Rao, who owns the restaurant, said that the film connection started when his father and the founder of Navayuga, Mohan Rao, produced a film. “Initially, when we opened in 1981, Rajkumar and his family were frequent visitors, so was Puneeth Rajkumar before he got into films, but as people started gathering just to have a glimpse of them, they were forced to have take away and stopped visiting the restaurant.”

A quintessential stop for those seeking authentic meals, spicy biryani, and chicken and mutton starters, Hotel Navayuga is renowned for its hearty portions and spicy curries served with unlimited rice that attract office-goers and travelers alike. However, Srinivas says that like most businesses in the Majestic area, their business is not as thriving as before.

“We are packed during lunch time, however, the rush and crowd is not the same as it was during the first three decades. Especially after the bus stop came up, we saw a shift in the crowd. Bengaluru has spread a lot geographically, and there are lots of restaurants now; people prefer eating what is available to them easily and faster. Since the city is spreading a lot by each day, we plan to open another branch somewhere around the city soon,” he added.

Another popular eatery in the area is S. G. Rao’s Military Hotel at Sultanpete, which is an example of the rich history the city holds. Established in 1908, serving flavours of the Marathas, S. G. Rao’s Military Hotel specialises in hearty non-vegetarian dishes. Their signature mutton pulav, chicken pulav, and Kheema balls have been crowd favorites for more than a century.

Similarly, another gem for meat lovers is the New Govindrao Military Hotel at Chickpete. Founded in 1911, the restaurant is famous for its flavorful biryanis, chicken and mutton starters, leg soup, Ragi Mudde (millet balls), Idly, and spicy gravies. Amid the tiny lanes of Chickpete, the rustic ambiance adds to the charm of this long-standing establishment. Hotel Annapoorna and Hotel Fishland in Gandhi Nagar are also known for their biryanis, appetisers and South Indian meals.

Meanwhile, for veg lovers and a taste of Karnataka’s rustic cuisine, Mudde Madappa Mess, a pure-veg restaurant in Gandhi Nagar, is a must-visit. Known for its Ragi Mudde served with flavorful Uppu Saaru (spiced lentil soup), this no-frills eatery provides an authentic experience. The eatery is also famous for its Thatte Idly, Rice Bath, and Girmit Mirchi.

Having the old age Bengaluru charm, Janardhana Hotel at Kumara Krupa Road, a favorite breakfast joint among locals, is known for its affordable food and ambience. Popular for its Saagu Masale Dosa, the restaurant also serves a variety of South Indian dishes like Chow Chow Bath, Bisi Bele Bath, Masala Dosae and full meals topped off with flavorful filter coffee.

To cleanse off the wonderful dishes the area has to offer, Janatha Juice House in Gandhinagar serves the purpose. Serving nothing but traditional Sugar Cane juice, this tiny juice centre was opened 40 years ago, with selling at ₹2 per glass, which is now served at ₹25 per glass.

As the Karnataka Budget for 2025-26 announced plans for the redevelopment of the Kempegowda Bus Station at Majestic, The Hindu, in a six-part series, explores the various facets of the pete area. This is the last story in the series.