With simple sweetmeats like Coconut Cookies and Sweet Bread Loaves, and savoury treats like Aloo Buns, Egg Pupps (the local slang for puffs), and Congress Buns, here’s a list of the decades-old bakeries of Bangalore that have really stood the test of time and still thrive in the era of boulangeries and fancy cake shops.
1. O.G Variar Bakery, Rajajinagar
Established in 1970, O.G Variar Bakery is known for its assortment of buttery biscuits, ultra-soft Sponge Cake, and Khara Puffs. This is one of the few bakeries to include healthy offerings keeping diet-conscious consumers in mind. Try their Wheat Rusks, Jaggery Biscuits, and Ragi Cookies, or simply go for their old-school flaky Vegetable Puffs.
O.G Variar Bakery: 12th Main Road, 2nd Block Behind ESI Hospital, opp. to Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Rajajinagar
Timings: 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.
2. Albert Bakery, Mosque Road, Frazer Town
The shelves of this 116-year-old bakery are laden with tea cakes, buttery biscuits, and retro-style colourful cream pastries. If you're someone with a sweet tooth, try their Rich Khova Naan, but if you want something savoury then try their weekend special Bheja Puff or Mutton and Chicken Samosas.
Albert Bakery: 93, Mosque Rd, Cleveland Town, Pulikeshi Nagar
Timings: 3 p.m to 9 p.m
3. Koshy’s Automatic Bakery, Richmond Town
Classic wooden tables and chairs as seating; quiche, tarts, and cutlets to choose from and a slather of butter and tomato ketchup to go with them. How rustic could it even get? Some folks visit this vintage bakery from the 1950s simply for nostalgia while others come for the apple pies and loaves of bread.
Koshy’s Automatic Bakery: Wellington St, Richmond Town
Timings: 8 a.m to 8 p.m
4. Thom’s Bakery & Supermarket, Wheeler Road
This iconic bakery from the 1960s is a one-stop shop to please your palate, offering a range of baked goodies, as well an enticing range of tinned foods, salad dressings, pasta sauces, beverages, and more to stock your pantry. While the bakery is known for its puddings, pies, and wines, also try out their baguettes and loaves of focaccia.
Thom’s Bakery & Supermarket: Wheeler Rd, Cleveland Town, Pulikeshi Nagar
Timings: 8:30 a.m to 9:30 p.m
5. VB Bakery, VV Puram
This bakery nestled in the bustling bylanes of the VV Puram food street is the pioneer of KBC, aka Khara Congress Bun. What's even more intriguing at this 65-year-old bakery is its offerings of different puffs on different days. The regulars here will know when to come for an Onion Puff, an Avarekalu Puff, or a Vegetable Puff. Their Honey Cake is also a must-try.
VB Bakery: No.20, Sajjan Rao Cir, Vishweshwarapura, Shankarapura
Timings: 6:30 a.m to 10:30 p.m
6. Fathima’s Bakery & Supermarket, Ashok Nagar
This quaint bakery from the 1950s is known for its non-vegetarian puffs, pies, and cutlets. The fabled Chicken Puff is a must-eat when here. The bakery is swamped during Christmas, as those in the know line up for their Christmas specials of Kalkals, Plums Cakes, and Marzipan sweets. Their Rose Cookies, Coconut Barfi, and Mince Pies are other sought-after treats for tea time snacking.
Fathima’s Bakery & Supermarket: Castle St, opp. Narayana Nethralaya, 2nd Block, Ashok Nagar
Timings: 8:30 a.m to 9:30 p.m
7. Sri Jayalakshmi Bakery, Lal Bagh Road
Bangalore is dotted with Iyengar bakeries in every nook and corner of the city, and it is hard to distinguish the OGs. Sri Jayalakshmi Bakery has been around for over 60 years and has evolved and expanded its offerings to include homemade jams, masalas, Gojjus, and even egg puffs. However, Dilpasand remains a classic here.
Sri Jayalakshmi Bakery: Subbaya circle, 1, Lal Bagh Main Rd, Srinivas Colony, Sudhama Nagar
Timings: 11 a.m to 9 p.m
8. Excelsior Bakery & Dept Store, Shivajinagar
This British-era bakery is well-known for its Ribbon Cakes, Japanese cakes with a dab of cream on top, Rose Cookies, and Kalkals. The milk bread from this 80-year-old bakery still remains a breakfast staple for many locals today. Make sure to grab some of Coconut Barfi, which is a huge hit from amongst their sweet offerings.
Excelsior bakery & Dept Store: Quadrant Square, Seppings Rd, Jagadamba Circle, Shivaji Nagar
Timings: 8 a.m to 1:30 p.m on Mondays. 8 a.m to 10 p.m on other days.
Himani Sona
I’m a Bangalore based Culinary Chronicler who finds joy in food storytelling and photography. I like to research and document food narratives through writings, illustrations and photographs. When I’m away from the lens and pen, I’m mostly hiking in the woods.
