Bangalore Festive Food Guide: Where to Eat for Sankranthi & Pongal (What to Expect + Specials) 

Bangalore does harvest season in a very Bangalore way. 

In the same week, you’ll see: 

• Karnataka-style Sankranthi vibes (ellu bella, sugarcane, kites, “habba” goodies), 

• Tamil-style Pongal feasts (ven pongal, sakkarai pongal, payasam), 

• and the city’s own seasonal bonus: avarekai season showing up everywhere. 

If you’re planning a food outing (or even just trying to order something festive without guessing), this guide is designed to answer two things clearly: 

1. What to expect: the specific foods that show up every year 

2. Where to eat: by format (breakfast, thali lunch, buffet, delivery, sweets, melas) so you can pick what fits your day 

It’s written to be evergreen. Specials change every year and every outlet, so I’ll show you what to look for and what to ask, so you can plan confidently. Visit Nandhini deluxe for its luxury experience or book a table.

Quick context: Sankranthi vs Pongal in Bengaluru 

Sankranthi (Karnataka-style) 

Sankranthi (often spelled Sankranti too) is celebrated as the harvest festival, and in Karnataka it has a very recognizable food signature. The city feels festive in markets, homes, and community events. 

You’ll commonly see: 

• Ellu bella sharing (the “eat sweet, speak sweet” ritual vibe) 

• Sugarcane everywhere (especially in market areas) 

• Groundnuts, jaggery, dry coconut and other seasonal essentials 

• Festive lunches that feel like a “habba oota” moment 

Pongal (Tamil harvest festival) 

Pongal is also a harvest celebration, and Bangalore has a huge Tamil community, so you’ll find Pongal food across tiffin places, homes, and hotels. 

You’ll commonly see: 

• Ven pongal (savory) and sakkarai pongal (sweet) 

• Vada, sambar, chutneys, payasam 

• Special Pongal thalis and limited-time menus in some venues 

What to expect: the “festive foods” checklist 

If you want this guide to feel useful instantly, treat the next two sections as your festival shopping list and ordering cheat sheet. 

Sankranthi foods you’ll spot in Bangalore 

1) Ellu bella (the signature ritual bite) 

This is the iconic Sankranthi mix that shows up in homes and community sharing. It’s the “festival in one handful” vibe. 

What it feels like: 

• sweet + nutty + wintery 

• something you snack on while the festival happens around you 

When you’ll see it: 

• homes, community events, sometimes packaged festival combos 

2) Sakkare acchu and festival sweets 

These are the little festive goodies that feel uniquely “habba” in Karnataka. You’ll see them around Sankranthi week in sweet shops and festival stalls. 

What to expect: 

• small molded sweets or festival treat packs 

• “take-home ritual items” rather than sit-down desserts 

3) Sugarcane (the most visible festival signal) 

Even if you ignore everything else, sugarcane will make it obvious that Sankranthi week is here. 

Best way to experience it: 

• do a quick market run in the morning 

• pick sugarcane and a small festival snack pack 

• you’ll feel the festival without needing a full meal outing 

4) Seasonal snacks and “habba shelf” items 

This is the practical part of the festival: 

• groundnuts, jaggery, sesame 

• fruits and offerings 

• sweet potato and seasonal roots in some places 

If you’re doing a market crawl, build your basket around these and you’ll be set. 

Pongal foods you’ll spot in Bangalore 

1) Ven pongal (savory) 

Ven pongal is comfort food. Warm, satisfying, and perfect for breakfast or early lunch. If you’re not sure what to eat for Pongal, this is the safest “no regret” option. 

You’ll often see it served with: 

• coconut chutney 

• sambar 

• vada on the side 

2) Sakkarai pongal (sweet) 

This is the sweet counterpart. It’s the festive dessert-style pongal, and it’s one of those dishes that makes the day feel special even if you’re just having a simple meal. 

3) Payasam and festival sweets 

Payasam shows up a lot around Pongal menus. If you’re doing a full festive lunch, payasam is usually the “closing note” that makes it feel complete. 

4) The “Pongal plate” supporting cast 

On special menus you may also see: 

• medu vada 

• sambar variants 

• seasonal vegetable dishes 

• curd-based sides 

Where to eat in Bangalore (by format) 

Instead of giving you a random list of 30 places, I’m going to give you the formats that actually match how people plan festival food in Bangalore. 

Pick the format first. Then choose the venue near you. 

1) Festive breakfast: tiffin places (fast, classic, budget-friendly) 

If you want the simplest festive food experience, do Pongal breakfast. 

Best for: 

• people who want festival food without crowds and long lunches 

• office-goers who want a festive start 

• families with kids (quick, familiar) 

What to order: 

• ven pongal + vada 

• coffee 

• if available, add a small sakkarai pongal portion to “make it festival” 

What to expect: 

• morning rush, especially on festival day 

• quick table turnover, but overall smooth and satisfying 

Pro tip: 

If you’re going with a group, go early. The first wave is the most peaceful. 

2) Festive lunch: habba oota / thali-style lunches (the proper “festival meal”) 

This is the format people imagine when they say “Let’s go eat festival food.” 

Best for: 

• families 

• out-of-town friends who want a traditional experience 

• anyone who wants the full “sit down and enjoy” vibe 

What to expect: 

• thali-style structure 

• multiple items and a paced meal rhythm 

• a feeling of “proper lunch” rather than just eating something tasty 

How to choose the right place: 

Look for venues known for: 

• structured meals/thalis 

• clean, consistent service 

• family seating comfort 

What to ask (this avoids disappointment): 

• “Do you have a Sankranthi / Pongal special menu this week?” 

• “Is there a festive thali or set lunch?” 

• “Do you serve sakkarai pongal today?” 

This question works because many places run specials for a limited window rather than just one day. 

3) Hotel and premium festive menus (for a one-day outing) 

If you want to make it a “festival outing day,” hotels and premium restaurants often run limited-time harvest menus. 

Best for: 

• couples 

• families who want comfort seating and a curated menu 

• people who want a clean, predictable experience 

What to expect: 

• a curated Pongal thali or a harvest-themed spread 

• traditional dishes served in a more polished setting 

• limited windows (often 2–5 days around the festival) 

Pro tip: 

If you’re aiming for hotel specials, check dates and book early. Festival menus are often time-bound. 

4) Delivery-friendly festive food (office desk, home convenience) 

If you want festival food without leaving your desk or home, do it as a delivery combo. 

Best for: 

• office lunch during festival week 

• people who want “one box, complete experience” 

• families who want to celebrate at home without cooking 

What to look for: 

• “Sankranthi special combo” or “Pongal special menu” 

• combos that include both savory and sweet pongal options 

• add-on options like vada or payasam 

How to avoid delivery disappointment: 

• pick one main format (breakfast combo or lunch combo), don’t over-order random sides 

• keep spice moderate if you’re eating in office hours 

• if it’s a group order, pick a format that portions easily 

5) Sweet shops and market runs (best for rituals and take-home festival feel) 

This is the most “Bangalore festival” experience because the city’s markets visibly change during Sankranthi week. 

Best for: 

• families who want to do rituals at home 

• people who want to “feel the festival” quickly 

• anyone who prefers snacks and sweets over a huge lunch 

Your market checklist: 

• ellu bella 

• jaggery-based sweets or festival treat packs 

• sugarcane 

• groundnuts and seasonal snacks 

• fruits and offerings if you’re doing a puja at home 

Pro tip: 

If you do one thing, do this. Even a 20-minute market run makes the festival feel real. 

6) Food fairs and melas (festival culture + food together) 

Bangalore often has community fairs around this season, and they’re underrated for festive eating because: 

• you get multiple stalls 

• you can snack and explore 

• the vibe feels like a real “habba day” 

Best for: 

• families with kids 

• groups of friends 

• people who want food + culture + shopping 

What you’ll commonly find: 

• ellu bella distribution or festival snack stalls 

• sugarcane, groundnuts, seasonal items 

• avarekai-themed food stalls (because the season overlaps) 

If you want a fun day without committing to one restaurant, melas are a strong choice. 

“Specials” to look for (so you can order confidently) 

Here’s a simple “specials checklist” you can use whether you’re dining in, ordering delivery, or doing a market run. 

Sankranthi specials checklist 

• ellu bella (take-home packs or festival combo inclusion) 

• sugarcane (market run or combo inclusion) 

• festival sweets packs (including sakkare acchu style treats) 

• seasonal snacks (groundnuts, jaggery-forward items) 

Pongal specials checklist 

• ven pongal (savory) 

• sakkarai pongal (sweet) 

• payasam 

• vada as a supporting classic 

• “Pongal thali” or “harvest thali” in some venues 

If a place offers only one pongal, pick ven pongal. If they offer both, do both in smaller portions. That’s the best “festival feel per bite.” 

How to plan your festival food day (so it’s not stressful) 

1) Choose your time slot first 

• Breakfast (8:00–11:00): best for pongal experience, quick and satisfying 

• Lunch (12:30–3:30): best for thali/habba oota experience 

• Evening (5:00–8:00): best for sweet shop runs, markets, fairs 

2) Expect crowds near markets 

Sankranthi week makes markets busier, especially for sugarcane and festival essentials. If you hate crowds: 

• go early morning 

• or go evening after the main rush 

3) If you’re with elders or kids 

Pick formats that are: 

• familiar 

• not too spicy 

• neat to eat 

That usually means: 

• tiffin breakfast 

• thali lunch at a comfortable venue 

• take-home sweets rather than a chaotic crowd venue 

4) If your group has mixed preferences (veg + non-veg) 

Here’s the safest approach: 

• make the core experience festive and veg-friendly (pongal, thali, sweets) 

• add non-veg separately for those who want it, without forcing the entire group into one format 

Festive food is about togetherness, not arguments. 

5) Ask the right question (this unlocks specials) 

When you call or ask at a venue, don’t ask: 

“Do you have Pongal?” 

Ask: 

“Do you have a Pongal special menu or a harvest thali this week?” 

This gets you a clear answer, because many specials run for a limited window around the festival, not just one day. 

Quick picks: choose your vibe 

If you want a clean shortcut, use this chooser. 

“I want traditional + quick” 

Go for: 

• pongal breakfast at a tiffin place 

Best order: 

• ven pongal + vada + coffee 

“I want a full festive lunch” 

Go for: 

• habba oota / thali-style lunch 

Best order: 

• festive thali + sweet pongal/payasam if available 

“I want a premium outing” 

Go for: 

• hotel harvest menu / Pongal thali 

Best move: 

• book ahead, choose lunch slot 

“I want festival at my desk” 

Go for: 

• delivery festive combo 

Best move: 

• pick one box format, don’t over-order random add-ons 

“I want take-home rituals” 

Go for: 

• sweet shop + market run 

Best basket: 

• ellu bella + sugarcane + small sweets pack 

“I want culture + food together” 

Go for: 

• a mela or community fair 

Best move: 

• go evening, snack and explore 

FAQs (Festival food in Bangalore) 

Conclusion: Make it simple and you’ll enjoy the festival more 

Sankranthi and Pongal in Bangalore aren’t just one meal. They’re a whole mood: 

• markets feel different, 

• breakfast feels special, 

• lunch becomes an occasion, 

• sweets and seasonal snacks show up everywhere. 

If you want the easiest festival food plan: 

• do pongal breakfast for quick tradition 

• do a thali-style festive lunch when you want the full experience 

• do a market + sweets run for the real Bangalore Sankranthi feel 

• and use delivery combos when you want festival food without changing your day