Ah, Christmas in Bangalore. The city truly comes alive during this festive season, with twinkling lights, colorful decorations, and festive cheer everywhere you go. If you're planning a trip to Bangalore during the holiday season, you're in for a treat.

For most old Bangaloreans, Brigade Road is how New Yorkers in Manhattan might view Times Square—with a certain amount of nose-in-the-air-ness. But come the season, the lights on Brigade Road are something to which all Bangaloreans look.

This year Commercial Street jumps in. The street is beautifully lit up. That’s where Santa is stocking up on gifts.

The more adventurous Bangaloreans join the chorus. They participate in the annual Christmas carol singing event, which takes place at various churches around the city. 

But let’s get to the reason we are all here now. Food.

Bangalorean or tourist, there’s the food. Goa, Kolkata, and other cities boast of deep Christmas traditions with families. In Bangalore, we are one big family and tourists have a seat at the table.

Where? Here are some of the best Christmas lunches to have in Bangalore. 

Let’s start with the ITC hotels.

Welcomhotel by ITC Hotel

The Welcomhotel on Richmond Road is a short walk away from Magrath Church. They usually do a lovely Christmas Tree. Head to the hotel after to see their tree and for lunch. If you visit for dinner, you’ll be able to see the trees all lit up. The Welcomhotel lunch and dinner are buffet style, very reasonably priced at Rs 2022 plus taxes with alcohol and Rs 1599 without alcohol. 

ITC Windsor Manor

The Baked Ham Virginia at ITC Windsor and the Christmas pudding make up some of the best dishes on the menu. The brunch at Raj Pavillion starts from Rs 3000 plus taxes.

ITC Gardenia

At ITC Gardenia, the Christmas brunch will be at Cubbon Pavilion and Lotus Pavilion. They’ll also be serving Japanese specials from their speciality restaurant Edo. They have Glazed Pork Leg, Jing Bing, Almond Nibs Stollen, and Plum Pudding. 

The Oberoi

The Oberoi has a Christmas Eve lunch at Lapis, as well as a brunch on Christmas Day at Lapis and Wabi Sabi. Expect the best of Christmas on the menu like Honey Glazed Ham, Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce, and yule logs, of course. For those inclined to an Indian palette, there is a Moplah Biryani at Lapis.

Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road

The Novotel hotel on outer ring road has a Christmas Eve dinner as well as a Christmas Day brunch. Their international restaurant The Square will have live counters too, special drinks themed for Christmas, and live music, and Santa will be visiting too. 

Leela Bharatiya City

The Leela at Bharatiya City has a few restaurants to choose from for your Christmas meal. Quattro, the all-day diner will have a multi-cultural Christmas Eve dinner. On Christmas Day, choose from Quattro or Lotus Oriental, for more pan-Asian fares. While Quattro has a buffet style, The Lotus Oriental has a set menu priced at Rs 2200 plus taxes. The set menu includes an amuse bouche, soup, main course, Dim Sum, and dessert. 

Hyatt Centric

Hyatt Centric is located very close to the Trinity Church on MG Road. Bengaluru Brasserie at the hotel will be serving dishes like Smoked Fish Rillette, Pork Salami, Chicken Liver Pate, Grilled Chicken, and Sweet Figs Salad, a Turkey station (carving), Butter Tossed baby vegetables, Cranberry sauce, Giblet gravy, Cornbread stuffing, a Prune Tart, the classic Yule log, Bebinca, Stollen cake and more. There is a kids menu too. 

There are many other lunches and brunches in fine hotels all over the city. To get the best list there is, check out MyTime, our daily events newsletter. You can access it here: https://explo.in/3MsuE0x.