Karnataka, India
Mysore food is a part of Karnataka's South Indian tradition. It mirrors the region's agricultural bounty and Wodeyar dynasty influences.
Flavors lean towards mildness, with a subtle sweetness from prominent use of jaggery, coconut, and tamarind. Royal kitchens played a role in refining these unique flavors.
Mysore food shares similarities with the Old Mysore region. It has a reputation for specific sweet dishes and a strong emphasis on vegetarian fare. The "Mysore style" refers to a balance of flavors.
Traditional South Indian meals, especially thalis, are often eaten with the right hand. Ask for cutlery if uncomfortable. Always use your right hand for eating or passing food.
A thali is a popular way to sample multiple dishes. It typically includes various small bowls of curries, daals, rice, bread, and a sweet dish, all served on a large plate or banana leaf.
A rich sweet dish with gram flour, generous amounts of ghee, and sugar. It has a distinctive porous, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Find at: Guru Sweet Mart, Mahalakshmi Sweets.
A thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It often comes stuffed with a spiced potato filling and is served with sambar and coconut chutney.
Find at: Mylari Hotel, other South Indian restaurants.
A flavorful hot lentil-rice dish. It is cooked with mixed vegetables, traditional spices, and a special Bisi Bele Bath powder. Served with crispy boondi or potato chips.
Find at: Most local vegetarian restaurants.
Deep-fried vegetable fritters made from various vegetables like onion, potato, or capsicum. Perfect with a cup of hot tea.
Savory fried lentil fritters, often served as a snack with chutney and sambar.
Find fine dining options in luxury hotels like Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel and Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. These establishments offer a mix of Indian and international cuisines.
Mysore has numerous mid-range restaurants. Darshinis are small, fast-food style vegetarian eateries, offering quick and inexpensive meals.
Mysore is highly vegetarian-friendly. Many restaurants are purely vegetarian, with extensive menus. Most South Indian cuisine is inherently vegetarian.
Some homestays or specialized culinary centers offer cooking classes. These focus on traditional South Indian and Mysore cuisine.
Learn local recipes, engage with food culture.
Emerging local food tours guide visitors through Devaraja Market and various local eateries for tasting experiences.
Gain insights into the food scene.
Sample local snacks, fresh fruits, and juices from vendors.
Limited direct farm visits, but coffee plantations in nearby Coorg.
Sometimes organized during cultural events. Check local listings.
Unique, luxurious ambiance at places like Lalitha Mahal.
The city's signature sweet, often packaged for travel, a delicious edible souvenir.
A rich, ghee-laden dessert.
Obbattu/Holige: Sweet flatbread with lentil and jaggery filling. Jalebi: Deep-fried sweet spirals, soaked in sugar syrup.
Festival favorites and delightful treats.
Many traditional South Indian dishes are naturally gluten-free (rice-based: idli, dosa, sambar, rasam). Cross-contamination is possible. Roti and Naan contain gluten.
During Dasara, sweet shops and homes prepare special sweets and savory snacks. These include regional specialties. Other Hindu festivals throughout the year offer insights into local traditions.
Some homestays or specialized culinary centers in Mysore offer cooking classes. These focus on traditional South Indian and Mysore cuisine.
Emerging local food tours may guide you through Devaraja Market and various local eateries for tasting experiences.
While not a major tourist activity directly within Mysore city, opportunities for farm visits exist in rural areas surrounding Mysore, notably coffee plantations in nearby Coorg.
Popular items idli, dosa, vada, and filter coffee.
Start your day with local flavors.
Thali meals and various rice-based dishes are common.
A hearty midday meal.
Mysore Pak, Chiroti, Obbattu/Holige, and Jalebi are iconic desserts from the region.
Mysore Masala Dosa, Bisi Bele Bath, Shavige Bath/Upma, and Rava Idli form the core of local meals.
Mysore Filter Coffee is a strong, sweet coffee, a quintessential South Indian experience.
Do not hesitate to ask for recommendations from locals. They often know the best places for authentic and delicious food, including hidden gems.
