Things to do in and around Mysore

We've spent years exploring Mysore—its cafés, markets, neighbourhoods, museums and quiet corners. This guide brings together the places we genuinely recommend to our guests. It's not intended to be comprehensive, only thoughtful.

Mysore moves at its own rhythm, and many places close on Mondays.  

Always check opening hours before you head out.

Breakfast

• Halli Hatti - located near Chamundi Hill, this place serves the best idli in Mysore. Go on a weekday and avoid the crowds. Breakfast only.
• CCBC - local breakfast hangout; famous for its chow chow bath.
• Mysuru Coffee Bar - standing room only. Great for dosa and vada.
• Cafe Bhoga - a sweet, neighbourhood spot within easy walking distance from Villa Vani. Great for chai and local breakfast dishes.

Lunch/Dinner

• 1962 Rotti Mane - as the name suggests, an institution since 1962. Simple south Indian style thali meals served on a banana leaf. Lunch only.
• TKS Iyengar - this place is always heaving, but it's worth it. Try the akki roti,  rave vangibath, and the dosa of course. The chai here is also good.
• SPR Veg - Banana leaf meals and jowar roti plates, as well as all day vegetarian dining; alternative restaurants nearby are TKS Iyengar, Nalpak, Empire, or MTR.

Chaat

• Mumbai Chats & Sandwich Wala - the place for pani puri, dahi puri, and Veg Masala Cheese Sandwich.
• Guptas Sweets N Spice (Kalidasa Rd) - excellent samosa chat and hot jalebis

• SAPA Bakery & Restaurant - all day dining in a lush outdoor setting, 5 minute walk from Villa Vani. 
• Minimal Roasters - Excellent coffee, no food service. They have two locations: one in Gokulam, and one next to the Southern Star Hotel in the city.
• Ritual Coffee - the place to go when you want to get away from the crowds. Lovely seating area and great coffee.
• Local Friendly Bakery - People drive all the way from Bangalore just to try their pastries and cakes. 
• Depth n Green - Basic cafe with good food, fresh juices and smoothies, lots of vegan options. Try the cheese omelette or the vegan omelette,  and a beetroot & ginger juice. They also serve local kombucha.
• Naviluna - Artisanal chocolate factory serving small plates, great coffee, and chocolate of course. The iced mocha is excellent. Located near Mysore palace.

• SAPA Bakery & Restaurant - so good we had to include it twice! Truly some of the best food in Mysore and one of the top 50 restaurants in India according to CN Traveller.
• Old House - nice atmosphere with outdoor dining, good for pizza and salads.
• Sahib’s Brick Oven Pizza - the best pizza in Mysore, Neapolitan style.
• Fresh Catch - excellent Indian style seafood restaurant.
• The Sorrento - restored heritage house that feels like an Italian villa. Sit in the garden, sip Italian wine, and enjoy a Mediterranean-Indian inspired menu.
• Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel - heritage property with a lovely courtyard where they serve drinks and dinner. Try the spicy paneer.
• Green Hotel - old palace converted to hotel & restaurant, serves alcohol. Slow service but lovely atmosphere. Sit outside in the garden and enjoy palace views.

• Devaraja market - 130 year old marketplace, great to wander around, stop at Guru Sweet Mart, the home of Mysore pak. Combine with a trip to the palace.
• Mysore Palace - take a tour of the palace during the day; you can also see the palace illuminated with almost 100,000 lights every Sunday night at 7pm.
• Ramsingh Museum - Stunning private collection of Mysore style paintings. Visits by appointment only: Tues-Sun, 9-10.30am or 7-8.30pm. Call +91 98801-11625. 
• Ramson's Bombe Mane - exceptional collection of nearly 5,000 handmade dolls, representing different facets of India's cultural heritage.
• Jagan Mohal Palace - former royal mansion with a wonderful art collection.
• Kukkarahalli Lake - a beautiful laking with a 3.5km walking circuit. Open morning and evenings only. Go around 5pm, walk around the lake, and watch the sunset.
• Chamundi Hill Temple - head to Chamundi Hill Steps parking, climb 1,008 steps to the temple, and watch the sunset from the viewing point on your way back down

Mysore is not a shopping destination, however there are a handful of boutique stores carrying basic garments and Indian handicrafts.

Gokulam

• Nainy’s World - cute selection of basic garments, books, and curated items by local artisans (e.g. perfume, jewellery etc)
• Jaipur Junction - treasure trove of knick knacks from Jaipur. Good for block print bedlinen, silver jewellery, and block print clothing, carpets, and stationery items
• The Organic Cafe & Bakehouse - this place has a small boutique with a selection of basic garments, carved wooden items, brass sculptures, soaps etc

City

• Chamundi Silks Mysore - excellent selection of authentic Mysore silk sarees
• Ramson’s Handicrafts - the best place to buy Mysore artefacts, handpicked and exclusively designed, including gifts, dolls, board games, and more.
• Cauvery State Arts & Crafts Emporium - government run store selling a large selection of local handicrafts.

Srirangapatna (~20mins from Mysore)

• Visit the temple, then stroll to the ghat, sit by the river and watch the world go by. 
• Visit Tipu Sultan's summer residence, with its extraordinary frescos and murals.
• Stop at the Triveni where the sacred rivers meet and take a ride on a coracle.
• For birdwatchers, stop in at the impressive Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.

Melukote (~45mins from Mysore)

• Visit the stunning Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple.
• Climb to the top of the hill and visit the temple of Yoganarasimha. 
• Explore the many shrines and stepwells located in the town.

Somnathapura Temple (~1hr from Mysore)

• Somnathapura is a stunning temple from the Hoysala period; you can combine this with visits to other temples in the area, all achievable in 1 day.
• The Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is a local temple that is en route, where you can also take a coracle ride across the river and back.
• Proceed onwards to Talakadu, which has four temples from the Hoysala period, as well as a small "beach" nearby.

Tiger Safari (~1.5hrs from Mysore)

• Visit Nagarhole National Park, which offers safaris by boat, bus, and jeep.
• Safaris are run by the government and need to be booked in advance. 
• Take a jeep safari in the morning, or a sunset boat safari in the late afternoon.

Coorg (~2hrs from Mysore)

• A lush, coffee-growing region in the Western Ghats, known for its rolling hills, misty mornings, and dense rainforest landscapes.
• Drive along winding roads through coffee plantations, take a walk through the forest, and soak up the local culture, food, and coffee!
• Can be combined with a trip to Kabini or Nagarhole National Park, which is in the same direction.

Namdroling Monastery (~2hrs from Mysore)

• Visit this spectacular Tibetan monastery,  the largest outside of Tibet.
• Stop for momos (dumplings) made by the monks at the restaurant in the courtyard. 
• Combine this with a visit to Dubare Elephant Camp (check opening hours first).