Ultimate Benne Dosa Trail Across Bengaluru
When the lens is narrowed down to Bengaluru in particular, the Davangere benne dose – a regional variant that came about when a lady by the name of Chennamma moved into the namesake town and began serving up dosa, chutney and potato mash (palya), with her unique flair added to it. Here are all the places where you can get the current versions of this dosa variant in Bengaluru.
*Some restaurants listed in this trail serve non-vegetarian food, but have been added because they have good vegetarian options on their menu as well.
Bengaluru Café
Popular for both – their masala dosa and benne masala dosa, Bengaluru Café in Jayanagar is known to take things to the “next level in terms of taste,” Megha says. She says that she enjoys the balance of three elements – perfect crispness of the dosa, the flavouring of the potato palya and the correct amount of spice in the chutney and also recommends asking for at least a couple of helpings of their chutney, as you eat. Finish off with a steaming glass of filter coffee.HVR Veg
The hole-in-the-wall establishment, HVR Veg, located in Seshadripuram, serves up mini masala dosas with a combination of chutneys, that Vidya also recommends adding some sambar to. The tiny establishment has recently begin piquing the attention of social media users for its freshly cooked, simple South Indian fare that has people flocking the place during breakfast and tea time.
Umesh Dosa Point
Vidya also suggests paying a visit to Umesh Dosa Point located nearby in the same neighbourhood, to get a taste of their podi masala dosa and benne masala dosas, as the juxtaposition of fluffy potato filling with the crispy dosa is something you mustn’t miss out on.CTR Shri Sagar
Shri Sagar, previously known as Central Tiffin Room, is an iconic Malleshwaram-based restaurant where you can enjoy a benne dosa under the shade of trees. Their mildly-spiced potato masala inside a buttery-fluffy dosa is known to be the ultimate dosa-lovers treat, for a solid breakfast or even an evening snack. Want to try something else? Order the set dosa with a spicy curry or their rava ghee roast.Hotel Aralikatte
The lacy, brown dosas served at Hotel Aralikatte located in the IT hub of the city, are interestingly paired with a slightly runny coconut chutney and a white palya – unlike the typical yellow masala we’re used to spotting. The restaurant serves two dosas per plate and eating it for breakfast is Pallabi’s idea of a blissful morning in Bengaluru; not forgetting the tiny glass of strong filter coffee to wash it down.Vidyarthi Bhavan
Established in 1943, in Basavangudi, Vidyarthi Bhavan enjoys cult status for serving up hundreds of plates of benne masala dosa. An experience in itself, Vinay refers to eating at the restaurant as “a privilege on off days.” Constantly bustling with hungry customers, Vidyarthi Bhavan serves up crispy-fluffy dosas stuffed with the potato palya, alongside a pastel green coconut chutney that is just right in consistency.Basaveshwarnagar Dosa Corner
Hamsa says that the Basaveshwarnagar Dosa Point in the same location the restaurant is named after, is the place to be for an authentic benne dosa experience. Although the potato palya might appear to be plain, she says that it is packed with flavour and tastes even better when the butter is mixed in. Served with a spicy chutney and podi on the side, you can choose how much of each to add to every bite and savour the dosa.Sri Guru Kottureshwara Butter Dosa Hotel
If you’re a passionate food enthusiast that is willing to travel for great food, Akshatha insists that you pay a visit to Sri Guru Kottureshwara in Davangere – the birthplace of the benne dosa. A four-hour journey from the main city, she mentions how dosa batter is poured in consecutive circles over a hot stone tava and served with an unassuming-looking but delicious white palya and coconut chutney.
The Food Corner
This Vasanth Nagar eatery that is popularly known for its North Indian food offerings, also serves up a surprisingly delicious dosa plate, according to Karan. He says that this “hidden gem of a place for dosa” is loaded with ghee and served with two different ‘top class’ chutneys. His personal favourite is the ghee podi dosa that is crisp on the edges and fluffy in the center.Appu Davangere Benne Dosa
This delivery-only establishment also has a facility with sparse seating, for hungry customers who want to enjoy hot dosas hot off the pan. Relatively new in its existence with a limited menu consisting of 7-8 dosa items, they also serve up a masala dosa with no potatoes – instead there is a spicy red chutney smeared on the inside and served with coconut chutney, as an accompaniment.
