Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport does a surprisingly good job of feeding you before you fly, and the domestic terminal is where the real action is. Head straight to the food court on the departure level and you'll find MTR — the legendary Mavalli Tiffin Room — serving proper Bengaluru breakfast staples like rava idli, masala dosa, and filter coffee that genuinely rivals what you'd get on Lalbagh Road. It gets busy during morning peaks, so arrive with a few extra minutes to spare.

The international terminal has a more curated spread, with sit-down options that cater to longer layovers and business travellers. Caperberry Express brings a bistro sensibility to the airside experience, while Chili's and a handful of global chains provide familiar comfort if you're already mentally halfway to your destination. But don't let the international polish distract you — even here, the South Indian counters tucked into the food court are where locals head first. A plate of bisi bele bath or a strong cup of Kumbakonam-degree coffee is the move.

One thing frequent flyers swear by: grab something from the smaller grab-and-go counters near the gates rather than settling for overpriced snacks once you're seated at the departure lounge. Packaged Karnataka specialities — Dharwad peda, spiced cashews, and filter coffee sachets — also make for excellent last-minute gifts from the retail kiosks. The airport food scene won't blow your mind, but it's genuinely better than most Indian airports its size, and with a little intention, you can eat very well here.