When we are going through the chaos of the city, the muddling holy mess of traffic, tiresome office, and the ever boring Khara bath’s of Bengaluru, we have something Desi culinary of Karnataka around us to make our day. The meaty and toothsome Kaima Curry and steaming hot biriyanis from Bengaluru’s military hotels are the ones you must taste before you die. What an Aroma! Can you afford to miss the firmness of meatballs and the ever gorgeous Raagi Balls cooked over coals and served on plates made of dried leaves? There is a history for the taste of food served here. Come, let us know about these legendary military hotels of Bengaluru which are there here from the time when the city was called as Bangalore.
There is a history for Military Hotels in Bengaluru. It dates back to 17th century when Maratha soldiers craved for meat food. It is said that SG Rao Military hotel of Cottonpet area is the city’s first recognized military hotel and was established by S Govinda Rao Rannore, a Maratha in 1908. There is an another tale that says that these hotels have served military workers and martial class and so is the name Military hotel. Most hotels of this kind in the city are full-bodied around Cottonpet, Jayanagar, and Malleswaram areas as these were the popular areas of Old Bangalore.
Legendary Military Hotels of Bengaluru
Shivaji Military Hotel
Shivaji Military Hotel (SMH) which is known for its authentic Donne Biriyani is an age old hotel started by Manji Rao in early 1930. It was started to give the feel of Maratha cuisine and it is still fresh and hot in 2017. This food joint is run by the family of Marathas; Rajeev Rao and Lokesh Rao who have taken over from their father, M Laxman Rao. The legacy of SMH is still going strong and it is so popular that celebrities stand in a queue to relish their finger licking dishes.
The menu of SMH includes Dosa, Leg Soup, Mutton Biriyani, and Kheema. This is a typical breakfast menu of this military hotel and kitchen expands to prepare multiple chicken and mutton dishes for an afternoon meal. You may miss out a few dishes if you arrive a little later as the place will be highly crowded on all days of the week.
SMH has its own style of preparation and you will be amazed to know that the ingredients used here are of typical Maratha genre. Donne Biriyani being a winsome dish of SMH, it is prepared in copper vessels cooked over charcoal stoves. It is that vintage style of preparation gets that taste to it. It is one of those few hotels of Bangalore that is open from early 8 AM to late 3:30 PM.
Must Have – Mutton Biriyani, Mutton Fry, Chicken Leg Fry, Donne Chicken Biriyani
Where: No. 718, 1st floor, C Main Road, 45th Cross, 8th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560082
Ranganna Military Hotel
End your craving for the World’s best Thalai Maamasa (Head Meat), Paaya (trotter soup) and Kaima ball fry in this highly acclaimed non-veg food destination of Bangalore, Ranganna military hotel. You feel like you are in heaven when you put the piping hot mutton pulao in your mouth and I’m not exaggerating. Muniranganna (owner) says, “Our spices come from KR market and are ground fresh at the premises.” The early morning ride to this hotel and the scrumptious Kaal Soup (Leg Soup) along with Idli and Kaima are enough to make your day.
Open: 7:30 AM to 4 PM and 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Where: 61, KR Rd, Tata Silk Farm, Jayanagar, Bengaluru
New Govind Rao Military Hotel
This 108-year old restaurant is insanely famous for Idlis and Kheem Curry. Their Mutton pulao is equally toothsome and tangy which makes it a must-try dish. Do not miss to try the meat fries associated with chili and pepper.
Open: 6 AM to 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Where: No.7, Cottonpet Main Road, Opp Sudha Lodge, Bengaluru
Naidu Military Hotel
N.V Naid Military Hotel is located in the busy heart of City market which is a family-run restaurant typically tucked in the by-lanes. It has a small entrance and its interior has the broad corridor wadded with stone tables and chairs. Everything on their menu is delicious but the best order is pepper chicken fry and mutton pulao. The meat will be so smooth and firm that you can just tease it away from the bone with your two fingers. The lemon Rasam that is served at the end of the meal is something you can’t slurp without making a sound.
Open: 8 AM to 4 PM
Where: #14, Venkatachalliah Lane, City Market
Gowdru
Gowdru and Non-Veg are such a combination that it can be compared to Raj-Simran and Romeo-Juliet types. A day in the life of Gowda is incomplete without eating Ragi Balls and Non-Veg is a must-have thing on the plate. This Gowdru hotel located in Indiranagar is known for its Mutton Curry and Raagi Mudde. If you want to try something tastier then go for Bheja fry, Boti Masala, and Mutton Chops.
Open: 11 AM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 10:30 PM
Where: 3, Opposite Aishwarya Bar, Appareddy Palya, Double Road, Indiranagar
Chandu’s Military Hotel
If you are in Malleswaram then don’t miss Chandu’s mutton chops, Raagi Mudde, and Bheja pepper fry. The texture and flavors of this hotel are unique and piquant. You can also try Boti fry, Nalli Masala, and Chicken Fry.
Open: 11:30 AM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 11 PM
Where: 8th Cross, Near Malleshwaram Circle
Rajanna Hindu Military Hotel
Why Hindu? It is just to let you know that beef and pork are not served here. Rajanna Military hotel is known for its Naati style of cooking and their Mutton Korma, Kaima, and Biriyani rice can wake up your sluggish taste buds. Everything Non-Veg you wanted to eat is available here.
Open: 7 AM to 10 PM
Where: Govindraj Nagar ward, Prashanth Nagar, Vijayanagar
Kaveri Military Hotel
On a usual note, Military hotels don’t serve Pork but this is one among them that do. The brick benches and wooden tables make the interiors of Kaveri Military hotel and here you can relish the corgi style of preparation. Pork pepper and chicken curry are a must-have dishes.
Open: 7 AM to 10:30 PM
Where: Next to Nandi Upachar, Rani Circle, NH-17, Devanahalli, Kurubarakunte
Few more
Sangam Military Hotel in Jayanagar 14th cross road
Srinidhi Hindu Military Hotel in South End Road, Basavanagudi
Aditya Hotel in Mahalakshmi Layout
Hotel Prashanth near Kamakya theater
Nati style of Manuvana, Vijayanagar and
Siddappa mess near Gali Anjaneya temple
So, this was the list of Military Hotels of Bengaluru. If you know places of this kind then please share with us in the comments below. (Featured image credits – motherlandmagazine)
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