Deccan delights

You'd expect canteens to cook their own food. But in Silicon city Bangalore, that's often not the case.

A number of canteens at big offices such as Hughes and Infosys get their idlis and vadas from a common supplier.

Namura Caterers in Jayanagar run by an ex-Oberoi professional is famous for its south Indian preparations.

You can buy idlis by the kilo here, all reasonably priced. The turnover is reputed to be as much as Rs 4-5 lakh a day.

However, those that do their own cooking and have become cult hotspots over the years include the following:

Vidyarthi Bhavan: A medium-sized, authentic Karnataka restaurant in a traditional south Bangalore area.

Sooji vada, crisp dosas that ooze butter, followed by a strong cup of coffee is standard fare. Bangaloreans have been enjoying their evening tiffin here since the 1940s.

Upahara Darshini: Located in a corner at the beginning of N R Colony, it started the trend of Darshinis in Bangalore during the early 1980s.

Darshinis are fast food joints that serve a range of authentic south Indian tiffins at extremely cost-effective prices.

Brahmins Coffee Bar: Tucked away in a small corner of Chamarajpet, possibly the best place in Bangalore for idlis, vadas, upma and sooji halwa.

All served steaming hot, this small canteen does not offer anything other than these snacks, and coffee/tea. Popular since the mid-80s.