The story of the military hotels traces back to the 17th century following the Maratha’s conquest of the city.
One of the oldest military hotels, ‘Shivaji Military Hotel’ in Jayanagar was started in 1924 by a Maratha named S Mannaji Rao. To date, it is known for its donne biryani.
2. Nagarjuna
The biryanis here are claimed to be ‘robust’ because of the powerful spices that make their way into each dish.
While the original recipe is a closely guarded secret, customers are urged to try the chicken biryani, the mutton meatballs, and the Chick 65 fry.
3. Ranganna Military Hotel
The story goes that the owner R Munirangappa was a famous wrestler in the 70s. He started the eatery, inspired by his grandmother who was a specialist in Kannada cuisine.
Their mutton and chicken biryanis attract great fanfare with their seductive aromas and masalas, which Munirangappa says are, ground using traditional stone grinders.
4. S G Rao Military Hotel
The Sri Govinda Rao Military Hotel has managed to amass quite a loyal set of patrons over the last century that it has been around.
Once a boy looking for jobs in eateries, Govinda Rao from Ramanagara started one of his own in 1908, and it was their amazing donne biryani that became the main draw.
5. Ambur Star Biryani
The ambur biryani is steeped in history and is a one-pot meal where succulent pieces of meat are cooked in jeera samba rice.
As the venture’s website notes, it was the legendary Hussian Baig, a cook in the Moghul kitchen, who came up with the original recipe in 1890 and began selling biryani from his home.
6. Dum Durust
In contrast to the traditional eateries with varied histories, the ‘biryani in a box’ concept by Dum Durust is a modern take.
Whether it is contemporary biryanis you are craving — Classic Hyderabadi biryani, Nellore biryani, Awadhi biryani, or even newer recipes and flavours, Dum Durust has your back.
7. Meghana's
Similar to Dum Durust, Meghana’s caters to an audience that is looking for biryanis on the go in contrast to those who would like to experience a sit-down lunch.
With outlets all across the city, Meghana’s prides itself on the Andhra-style food they serve and encourages their customers to choose among 100 varieties.
8. Koshy's
A timeless landmark in Bengaluru, Koshy’s is not just a restaurant, it is nostalgia preserved amidst the once-colonial ambience.
Koshy’s was the brainchild of a bank executive P Oommen Koshy. He lost his job during World War II and opened a bakery in Bengaluru’s Cantonment area where he baked bread for the garrisons.
In 1952 he leased a plot behind the cathedral at St Marks Road corner, moved his bakery, and opened ‘Parade Café’ adjacent to it, which would one day be known as Koshy’s. A must-have here is the fish biryani.