A delicious drive down memory lane with Prerana Motors.

Some names in Bengaluru don’t just represent businesses, they represent traditions, they represent memories. You may ask what’s common to Prerana Motors and the iconic eateries of Bengaluru. Well, they have been a part of the Bangalore landscape and lifestyle for many decades. Prerana Motors, the only Tata Motors Dealer in Bengaluru since 1991 recommends these10 iconic places that definitely deserve a visit in the garden city.

 

For over three decades, Prerana Motors has been part of countless family milestones, first cars, long drives, school drop-offs, festival upgrades, and proud new beginnings. In much the same way, some of Bengaluru’s oldest restaurants have quietly shaped our mornings, celebrations, conversations, and comfort food rituals.

 

Long before glass towers and tech parks redefined the skyline, the city’s heart beat strongest in its tiffin rooms, cafés, and corner eateries. These places didn’t just serve food, they served familiarity. They watched generations grow up.

 

If you’re feeling nostalgic, or simply want to experience Bengaluru the way it used to be,  here are ten timeless restaurants that still carry the warmth of the old Garden City.

Step into CTR on a weekday morning and you’ll still find the same comforting chaos, the hiss of the tawa, the aroma of butter, and plates of golden benne masala dosa arriving at lightning speed. Since the 1920s, this Malleshwaram favourite has been serving dosas that are crisp on the outside, soft within, and soaked in nostalgia. For many Bengalureans, this is what childhood weekends tasted like.

Established in 1924, MTR is more than a restaurant, it’s an emotion. The birthplace of the famous rava idli, it has fed families through changing times while keeping its vintage charm intact. The tile floors, the simple wooden seating, the comforting filter coffee, everything here feels reassuringly familiar, like a tradition that refuses to fade.

Tucked along Gandhi Bazaar, this humble eatery has been drawing early risers since the late 1920s. There’s no frills here, just hot benne dosas, crisp vadas, and the comforting rhythm of regulars who’ve been coming for decades. It’s the kind of place where the taste hasn’t changed, and that’s exactly why people love it.

Founded in 1930, Lakeview Milk Bar feels like a sweet slice of the past. Generations have sat here sharing sundaes, milkshakes, and late-night ice cream after long drives down MG Road. Its old-school charm reminds you of simpler times, when dessert meant celebration.

The rich aroma of donne biryani from Shivaji Military Hotel has been tempting Bengaluru since the 1930s. Served in leaf bowls and packed with bold flavours, it’s the kind of meal families swear by. Recipes have stayed the same, and so has the loyalty of its patrons.

Since 1943, Vidyarthi Bhavan has been famous for queues that wind down the street — and dosas worth waiting for. Students once gathered here for affordable meals; today, entire families return for the same crisp masala dosa and signature chutney. Some experiences simply never lose their magic.

There’s something timeless about Koshy’s. Since the 1940s, it has hosted writers, artists, politicians, and everyday regulars. Whether it’s mutton cutlets, fish and chips, or a quiet cup of tea, Koshy’s invites you to sit a little longer and soak in the city’s layered history.

Small, simple, and always bustling, Brahmin’s Coffee Bar has been serving soft idlis, crisp vadas, and generous coconut chutney since 1965. There’s no seating fuss, just stand, eat, sip your filter coffee, and leave with a satisfied smile.

Open-air, shaded by tall trees, and wonderfully unhurried, Airlines Hotel has been a city favourite since 1968. It’s the kind of place where conversations stretch over multiple cups of coffee and set dosas. In the middle of a fast-moving city, it remains a peaceful pause.

Since 1965, The Only Place has been Bengaluru’s go-to for hearty steaks, pies, and classic Western comfort food. Cosy and consistent, it reflects the city’s cosmopolitan side while holding firmly to its heritage.

Cities grow. Skylines change. Generations move forward. But what makes Bengaluru special is how it holds on to all that makes it endearing. Just like these beloved eateries, Prerana Motors has grown alongside the city, from Lalbagh Road to Jakkur and from BTM Layout to Rajajinagar, becoming part of everyday life and milestone moments.