Koshys Bar And Restaurant

A heritage hangout of Bangalore, the texture of which changes with passage of time within a day, come morning, afternoon, evening or night. The only thing constant being the chitter-chatter, crackling of cups and plates, waiter's in white and the least of all some lip-smacking dishes. You visit Koshy's for more than a bite, to soak in the ambience, to be part of a crowd, to watch a world's platform along with a platter, a pint of beer, a glass of wine or even a cup of tea. It is a pleasure to be a smoker and be in Koshy. For the hard-core non-veg's try the special sausage or the kerala beef fry.. for the veg i know not what

So the place may not be fancy. The ambiance isn't spectacular. And it may have the look of an ancient run down tea house. But who cares about all that when they serve decent food? If you're looking for a sophisticated joint to eat negligible portions of food at unreasonable prices, this is not the place for you. Indeed, it isn't the place for the snobbish crowds. But If you're the kind who just likes to sit back and relax with a pot of tea and some refreshing finger food, this is the place for you! There's no better place for a wholesome Sunday breakfast than Koshys. Every Sunday at 9 a.m. you'll find a crowd of people waiting in anticipation for the doors to open as they look forward to a traditional Kerala breakfast consisting of steaming hot "Appams" and stew. People may also drop in for some scrambled eggs on freshly baked bread, and grilled sausages! If that makes your mouth water, then gather a couple of friends and head to Koshys.

This has to be the most pseudo intellectual place in the world. Once I saw a couple sitting in-front of each other and both of them were reading. The chick was reading Edmund Husserl and guy was reading Jung or some such. I was revolted and amused at the same time. I wanted to go and ask them "Are you guys actually 12 or are you doing a social critique of *this* place?" The food is decent at best. The service is awful, the place has the ambiance of being in Calcutta 70 years ago and not cleaned since. Their Tomato fish and Onion pineapple steak used to be good but not anymore. They also do bacon and eggs with sausages and mash potatoes. It's enjoyable.

If you want you can also drink beer in the 70 rupees a dozen glasses. It's regular to see people drinking bad whiskey at noon there. The only reason I frequented koshy's often was to play a game with my friends. It was called "Spot the Pseudo." It was fun for a while but then the only people who'd turn up were pseudo and we had to change the format to be "Spot the non pseudo." There were subtle variations like spot the POMO and spot the POMA.

To make a gross generalization the only people who walk in to koshey's are skinny guys in khadi kurtas with long beards and women who wear "subtle" saris. Who then make it subtler by carrying a backpack and a helment in the other hand.

To hear their pompous "discussions" about the global bazzar. to witness these people name-dropping "Noam" (Yes first name basis) Chomsky and Foucault is not appetizing but vomit inducing.

I'd recommend you to goto this place and see the intellectual circus.

Agree with Tejashwi above. Most of these legendary or heritage places suck on food and on service. They just continue to survive because they are recorded by a lazy reviewer in Lonely Planet or a local Food Guide a must go, historic blah blah. The food is an eclectic mix with an assortment of continental and Indian stuff. Service is slow. Chicken is not fresh. And their supposedly famous Mutton Stew is a total let down. Stay away unless you want to hang around. But why not hang around at the India Coffee House at 1/5th or 1/10th the cost.

Dont go there for the food. Dont go there for the drinks. Dont go there for the service - go there, because there is no better place to sit and kill hours of time with inane conversations, and catch glimpses of Bangalore as it used to be.