Explore Mysore & Beyond

A short, curated guide to our favourite places to eat, wander, and discover in and around the city. Mysore moves at its own rhythm — many places close on Mondays. 

Always check opening hours before you head out.

• 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
• 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 - vegetarian restaurant with good dosa; alternative restaurants nearby are TKS Iyengar, Nalpak, Empire, or MTR.

• SAPA Bakery - all day dining in a lush outdoor setting, 5 minute walk from Villa Vani. Try the spaghetti al aglio e olio, which is so good it will transport you to Italy!
• 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. Open Wed-Sun from 10.30am until they sell out.
• 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.
• White Teak Coffee Roasters - All day dining with a nice courtyard where you can sit and chill. The coffee is not great, but the banoffee pie is excellent.
• Naviluna - Artisanal chocolate factory serving small plates, great coffee, and chocolate of course. The iced mocha is excellent. Located near Mysore palace.

• 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 (~1.5hrs 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.

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).

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.