With the summer season ending, Monsoon in Bangalore is an absolute delight for art and coffee connoisseurs, bibliophiles, and those who find solace in the pitter-patter. From the pink blossoms of trumpet trees to the city shifting into gloomy hues, you can experience Bangalore’s true charm by visiting these art cafes!
1. Champaca Book Store: Library & Cafe
Do poetry recitals, book launches, and a cozy evening in a quaint cultural space excite you? A group of Women run this book café. Enriched with earthy tones, this café provides a perfect setting to enjoy the Monsoon in Bangalore. Situated at the heart of the city, this café has easy connectivity across all the major areas in Bangalore.
Whether you wish to spend some time in solitude or with individuals alike, this space will stir up your creativity. Finding an array of book genres ranging from classics, young adult, poetry, nonfiction & more, the bibliophile in you will surely lose a sense of time. The uniqueness of the Champaca bookstore lies in the central setting of this café. With a semi-open setup, bamboo sheets cover the roof, giving it a rustic look. This café also hosts various events, bringing the authors and artists under one roof. While exploring this space, you can try out their mushroom pesto calzone and decadent chocolate cake.
Address: 7/1, Edward Rd, off Queens Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560052.
Things to remember:
- This cafe is a laptop-free zone during weekends.
- It is tricky to find a parking spot around the area so you can choose your mode of travel accordingly.
2. National Gallery of Modern Art
Manikyavelu Mansion is a 3.5-acre property. This residence turned Art Gallery is a space that boasts Indian cultural heritage. This gallery represents Indian Art that dates back to the 18th century and continues up to the present times. Featuring artwork by Nandalal Bose, the paintings depict the backdrop of Haripura, a village in Gujarat, India. If you are a history buff, you are sure to be mesmerized by the paintings. Surrounded by lush greenery and fountains, the sense of tranquillity gives a picturesque view of Monsoon in Bangalore. These premises also have a museum shop, a café, and an additional gallery block where you can attend art workshops, film screenings, art exhibitions, and many more events.
Things to remember:
• This gallery is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday so do your visit accordingly.
•You are requested not to take videos of the paintings to comply with the gallery rules. However, taking photos is allowed.
Address: 49, GF, Manikyavelu Mansion, Palace Rd, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560052.
3. Dyu Art Cafe
Located in one of the finest areas of Bangalore, this quaint café captures the aesthetics of a Kerela-style home. The entrance of this café has a sitting area surrounded by paintings depicting Indian art styles. Mimicking the traditional Indian-style interiors, this café is adorned with chequered flooring, with crimson and dark brown being their primary colors. Perfect for an old-school date, the evenings here absolutely bring out the essence of the place.
What sets this place apart is finding mini fans at the ceiling for each table and furniture shaped like a domestic sewing machine along with antique benches. In this café, there is another area, lined with creeper vines and plants, where a set of paintings fills the section. It makes for an ideal spot to take insta-worthy pictures. While enjoying the cozy setting, you should try a few dishes from their food menu. If your caffeine game is strong, do try the cold coffee and coffee frappe. Depending on your taste, you can choose from a variety of dishes ranging from pizza, burgers, pasta, toast, and more. If you’re an absolute fan of Italian food, you can choose a vegetable pasta and customize it with various sauces. While you admire the artwork here, The Signature Chocolate Cake and the Banoffee Pie is a must-try to make your experience worthwhile.
Things to remember:
- The food menu has limited vegetarian options.
- It’s recommended that you visit Dyu Art café during breakfast to make the best out of it.
- It is tricky to find a parking spot around the area so you can choose your mode of travel accordingly.
Address: No 23, KHB MIG Colony, Koramangala 8th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095.
4. Apaulogy Gallery
If you are a millennial, I am sure that a sense of nostalgia runs within you! Run by Paul Fernandes, this art gallery is for Bangaloreans who want to tap into the element of the city during the ’70s. The artworks of Paul Fernandes contain an essence of humor, originality, and quirkiness, a true representation of the golden era. Featuring famous landmarks of destinations like Bangalore, Mangalore, Goa, and Ooty, these watercolor illustrations are one-of-a-kind. This gallery also curates merchandise such as bookmarks, coaster sets, and, more. By visiting this home-turned-art gallery, you will find a vintage setting that sets the cozy ambiance for visitors to tap into the essence of Monsoon in Bangalore.
Address: 002, Edward House, Railway Station back Gate, 37, Pottery Rd, opp. East, Richards Town, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560005.
5. Bistro Claytopia
This is one of the first cafes to implement the collective concept of art and food. If you wish to get your creative juices flowing, this café offers a plethora of objects to paint on. From mugs to magnets, enhance your art skills by creating intriguing textures and keep them as a souvenir in your home. Bistro Claytopia is known for offering dishes ranging from Italian to continental cuisine, as well as burgers. While painting away to your heart’s glory, don’t forget to try the blueberry cheesecake here. An open area is set up here, making evenings ideal for birthdays and children’s activities. If you wish to spend quality time with your furry friend, this café is also pet-friendly.
Things to remember:
• Make sure to book your table in advance at this café to avoid overcrowding.
• Around the area, finding a parking spot can be tricky. It’s recommended that you choose your mode of travel accordingly.
Address: SBI Park, 11, 80 Feet Rd, near Wipro Park, 3rd Block, Koramangala 1A Block, SBI Colony, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560034.
Conclusion
Over the years, Bangalore has transitioned in terms of various restaurant themes and concepts, making it a versatile representation of the city. The summer of 2024 caused distress among the citizens despite Bangalore’s reputation for pleasant weather all year round. Going through the recent water crisis and heat wave, the early May downpour has brought relief. If you are new to the city or just waiting to witness the Monsoon in Bangalore, these art cafes will leave an imprint in your mind!
About Vidhi Ashar
Vidhi Ashar is a freelance content writer & poet from Bangalore, India. She helps businesses monetize their overall content strategy and guides brands to implement practices that meet the best standards. On the creative writing front, she has been published in journals such as Under the Basho, Failed Haiku, tsuri-doro, Sonic Boom, Otoliths, Scarlet Dragonfly Journal, Seashores Journal, and many more.
Totally awesome 👌 👏 😍 💖 😎
U nailed it Vidhi 🤗🤩
So expressive 💖💚💙💛💜
Keep going dear ❤️ 💕
Stay blessed always 💞
Thank you so much💖