Bengaluru is known for its cosmopolitan vibe. Home to people from different cultures, the city also nurtures the tastes and smells from India’s various regions. While the cuisines of South India are immensely popular among locals and settlers alike, the ‘garden city’ is blessed with home kitchens and eateries serving delicacies that are exclusive and intrinsic to the culinary landscape of the other states. Needless to say, Bengalureans have a penchant for Kashmiri cuisines and flavours too.
Be it Wazwan, Rogan Josh, Kahwa or Noon Chai, food and beverages from the Valley always have a fan following in namma ooru. Catering to these demands are a bunch of Kashmiri cafés in Bengaluru that bring to people the taste of authentic cuisines from the ‘paradise on earth’, complete with warm environs, lounging space and some soulful music too.
Here’s a list of places you must visit to get the feel of the land of shikaras in Bengaluru...
Orzuv, Whitefield
This casual dining restaurant in Bengaluru promises to bring you the ‘essence of Kashmir’ through its wooden interiors and amazing food. Set up in 2017 by Saba Bhat, Orzuv is known to serve the best Kashmiri breads in the city. This includes Girda, the well-loved tandoor bread that is often eaten for breakfast with pink salted tea and a mutton dish called Harissa.
The café is crafted to be in sync with nature. It’s a lush green space dotted with plants, trees and fruits. The venue hosts musical gigs, along with other performances. Apart from the café, there is also a library; a spa and reflexology centre; a wedding room; and a store selling Kashmiri garments and other merchandise
Favourites on the menu include Kashmiri Hara Bhara Kebab, Kashmiri Telmong, Maaz Shami Kebab, Kokkur Tuji, Kokkur Seekh Kebab, Naadru Yakhni, Mirchi Korma, Naadru Rigan Josh, Kashmiri Paneer Lababdar, Rajma Gogji, Gustaba, Aab Gosht, Zafran Kahwa and Kashmiri Masala Tea.
Price for two: ₹1,100 (approx)
Google rating: 3.8 stars
Sarposh, Indiranagar
This award-winning Kashmiri fine-dine restaurant and tea room in Bengaluru is determined to ‘delight your belly’. Run by techie-turned-entrepreneur Azmat Ali Mir, who started the eatery over three years ago, Sarposh specialises in cuisines from the Valley including Wazwan, bakery items and tea blends. The café’s Kashmiri-style décor and warm ambience will remind you of the postcard-perfect vistas and hospitality of the ‘paradise on earth’.
The menu is adorned by a variety of Kashmiri tujjes and kebabs, along with Kokur Rogan Josh, Kokur Yakhni, Methi Maaz, Lavasa, Waza Palak and Waza Heddar. They also serve an assortment of Kashmiri drinks and desserts.
Price for two: ₹1,400 (approx)
Google rating: 4.7 stars
Parsa’s, Koramangala
This little but lively Kashmiri nook in Bengaluru is perfect for your weekend brunch with family or friends. The café serves authentic Kashmiri Wazwan and other delicious dishes from the Valley, as you soak in its warm and cosy ambience and hospitality, with some soothing tunes playing the backdrop. Set up in 2019, Parsa’s is a place you must try if you are a lover of mutton curries.
Aab Gosht, Rista, Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, Tabak Maaz and Dhaniwal Korma are popular items on the menu, alongside Walnut Brownie Shake, Kehwa and Noon Chai.
Price for two: ₹800 (approx)
Google rating: 4.4 stars
Wullar Kitchen, Cooke Town
It’s not common to be able to sample the everyday meals of Kashmir in Bengaluru. Running through Owais Rasool’s home kitchen, Wullar promises to offer its guests the best of home-style culinary relics from the Valley. He jointly runs the place with his friend Rishabh Malhotra. While most people know about the traditional Wazwan, Kashmiri cuisine is not about this meal alone. There are a number of everyday household dishes that are either unheard of or little known. Opened during the pandemic, this kitchen aims at placing those lesser known food items under the spotlight.
Their Mutton Pulao, Mutton Yakhni and Mutton Rogan Josh are to die for, while the Moong Dal Gosht, Rajma Gosht, Chatt Ras and Sheer Khurma is also popular.
Price for two: ₹300 (approx)
Google rating: 5 stars