Airlines Hotel Bangalore: Where Time Stands Still (and the Coffee Never Runs Out)

There are some places in Bangalore that aren’t just eateries. They’re part of the city’s collective memory.

Airlines Hotel is one of them.

Tucked away under a canopy of century-old trees on Lavelle Road, this open-air café isn’t just about food. It’s about a feeling.

The clink of steel tumblers, the hum of old-school Bangalore conversations, the steady rhythm of scooters passing by.

It all comes together to create a vibe that’s hard to find in today’s fast-paced city.

For me, Airlines Hotel isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a ritual.

It’s where you go when you need a moment to slow down, sip a strong cup of filter coffee, and remind yourself why you fell in love with Bangalore in the first place.

Whether you’re catching up with friends after a long week, having a quiet breakfast with a book, or just people-watching under the banyan trees, this place somehow makes you feel grounded, literally and emotionally.

It’s one of those rare spots where old Bangalore still lives on.

Where time seems to pause for a while, the dosas still arrive crisp and golden, and the conversations linger longer than the coffee does.

Before we dive in, let’s get the basics sorted.

Quick Information: Airlines Hotel Bangalore

Here’s your bite-sized Airlines Hotel guide. Hot, crisp, and easier to digest than a masala dosa.

Detail	Information
Name	Airlines Hotel Bangalore
Address	No. 4, Madras Bank Road, Off Lavelle Road, Shanthala Nagar, Bangalore – 560001
Contact	+91 80 2227 3786 / +91 80 2227 3783
Timings	7:00 AM – 10:00 PM (All Days)
Type of Cuisine	South Indian, North Indian, Chinese, Street Food, Beverages
Average Cost for Two	₹400 (Approx.)
Famous For	Masala Dosa, Filter Coffee, Open-Air Garden Ambience
Established	1965
Owner	Diwakar Rao
Neighboring Landmark	Corner House (Yes, the ice-cream legend!)

Airlines Hotel: A Slice of Vintage Bengaluru

There are cafés, there are restaurants, and then there’s Airlines Hotel. The kind of place that doesn’t just serve food but memories on a plate.

Established way back in the 1960s, this iconic open-air restaurant has seen generations of Bangaloreans pass through its leafy courtyard.

From college students bunking lectures to discuss dreams over coffee, to retired uncles reading Deccan Herald with a dose of idli-vada, Airlines has quietly stood as a witness to the city’s transformation.

Before the malls, microbreweries, and modern chaos, this was the spot for lazy Sunday breakfasts, impromptu meet-ups, and long chats that started with “just one cup of coffee” and ended three hours later.

There’s something grounding about being in a place that hasn’t tried to change with every passing trend.

It’s unapologetically old-school, from the steel plates to the courteous waiters who still serve with a smile, and of course, the strong filter coffee that tastes exactly the same as it did decades ago.

Walk in today, and you’ll see a mix of people.

Techies, artists, families, tourists, and even dogs lounging under tables.

All finding their own little piece of comfort in this timeless setting.

It’s not just nostalgia. It’s heritage you can eat and sip.

The Vibe: Under the Banyan Tree, Always

If you’ve ever been to Airlines Hotel, you know it’s not the menu that makes the magic. It’s the mood.

Picture this: a sprawling banyan tree spreading its arms over rustic stone tables, a cool breeze sneaking in even on the hottest days, and the faint chatter of a city that refuses to lose its old charm.

There’s an easy calmness here. The kind you rarely find in Bengaluru anymore.

No blaring music, no forced “aesthetic” lighting, just the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional clang of a coffee tumbler hitting its saucer.

Somehow, everything slows down when you’re here.

Conversations stretch longer, laughter feels lighter, and that “just one coffee” almost always turns into two.

It’s also one of those few places where you can spot every kind of Bangalorean in one frame.

The corporate crowd in formal shirts, college kids in oversized hoodies, aunties swapping recipes, and even foreigners trying to pronounce benne dosa correctly.

And everyone fits in, because that’s the beauty of Airlines.

It’s democratic, inclusive, and effortlessly charming. A piece of old Bengaluru that refuses to fade away.

So, if you ever feel like the city’s getting too loud, too rushed, or too modern for its own good, just head to Airlines Hotel.

Find a spot under that massive banyan tree, order a coffee, and let time slow down.

Because here, it always does.

What’s on the Airlines Hotel Menu?

Let’s get to the real reason we’re all here. The food!

The Airlines Hotel menu reads like a love letter to South Indian breakfast.

Expect to find everything from Butter Masala Dosa and Paper Plain Dosa to Khara Bath and Idli-Vada combos.

The dosas come crisp enough to double as percussion instruments, the chutney is silky and fresh, and the sambar, ah, the sambar has that tangy comfort you can never quite replicate at home, no matter how many YouTube recipes you watch.

If you’re feeling indulgent, go for the Chow Chow Bath. A yin-yang plate of sweet Kesari Bath and savory Khara Bath.

It’s Bangalore’s breakfast diplomacy at its finest.

Not a South Indian food purist? Don’t worry.

There’s also Chole Bhature, Paneer Rolls, Manchurian, and Veg Fried Rice.

But honestly, ordering Chinese at Airlines Hotel feels like going to Paris and asking for a dosa.

And yes, right next door is Corner House, which means your post-breakfast ritual is already planned: one Death By Chocolate before you roll yourself home. 😀

Why I Love Airlines Hotel (And You Might Too)

There are a lot of places in Bangalore where you can grab a dosa or sip coffee.

But Airlines Hotel isn’t just about what’s on your plate, it’s about what you feel when you’re there.

Every visit feels like catching up with an old friend. Familiar, comforting, and just a little bit sentimental.

For me, it’s the perfect reminder of the Bangalore I grew up loving.

You know, the one with tree-lined roads, less honking, and people who actually had time to talk.

There’s something almost therapeutic about sitting under that old banyan tree, hearing the clatter of plates, and watching the world go by at its own lazy pace.

It’s one of those rare spots in the city where you can just be.

No rush, no pretense, no need to “book a table” or “scan a QR code” before ordering.

And then there’s the food.

The crisp masala dosa, the soft idlis that practically melt in your mouth, and that legendary filter coffee that tastes like a warm hug.

It’s simple, yes, but that’s exactly the point.

Airlines doesn’t try to impress you with innovation. It wins you over with consistency.

But perhaps what makes me love this place most is its ability to bring people together.

You’ll see families, old-timers, college kids, and even office teams having impromptu meetings over coffee.

All sharing the same tables, the same shade, and the same slice of nostalgia.

It’s proof that good vibes and great coffee never go out of style.

So yeah, I keep going back. Not just for the food, but for that feeling.

The one that reminds me why Bangalore will always have my heart.

And once you’ve been there, I’m willing to bet you’ll feel the same way, too.

Airlines Hotel Prices and Timings

Prices have changed since the 1960s (sadly, we’re no longer paying 80 paise for a masala dosa).

But even today, the meals are delightfully affordable considering you’re dining in the heart of Bangalore.

Here’s the cheat sheet:

• Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Lunch: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
• Snacks & Dinner: 4:00 PM – 10:30 PM

And yes, it’s open all week long.

So if your Sunday morning plans ever look fuzzy, you know where to go.

A Little History and a Lot of Stardust

Airlines Hotel has seen more action than most movie sets.

Back in the day, it was the go-to filming location for Kannada movies.

Picture this: the hero, in bell-bottoms, suavely pulling out a chair for the heroine under the banyan tree, whispering sweet nothings over a cup of filter coffee.

Legend has it, everyone from Dr. Rajkumar to Deve Gowda, MF Hussain, and even underworld dons like Mastan Mirza have all spent time here.

If those chairs could talk, the stories would make Page 3 blush.

It’s one of those rare spots in Bangalore where old money, college kids, and techies coexist over the same plate of dosa.

Generations have grown up here.

People who once came as students now come with their grandchildren.

Airlines Hotel Photos

Want to see what all the fuss is about?

Picture sprawling green space, metal tables glinting in the sunlight, waiters balancing trays like seasoned performers, and that massive banyan tree reigning supreme.

Add a few plates of golden-brown dosas, tall glasses of filter coffee, and the occasional curious pigeon photobombing your frame.

And there you have it: a classic Airlines Hotel photo.

Pro tip: Go early morning or late evening for that golden-hour glow. Your Instagram will thank you.

Airlines Hotel Reviews – What People (and I) Think

If you check Google Maps, you’ll see thousands of reviews. Most of them glowing.

And honestly, I get it.

People love the old-world charm, the open-air vibe, and that unbeatable filter coffee.

The occasional complaint about service speed?

Well, let’s just say this isn’t a place for the hurried.

Airlines Hotel runs on Bangalore’s old clock, the one that ticked slower and smelled like jasmine.

As for me, I give it a solid 9/10.

With one point deducted only because the dosa disappears way faster than I’d like.

Location & Contact Details

If you’ve never been to Airlines Hotel, finding it is a breeze.

Mostly because every old-school Bangalorean knows exactly where it is.

Nestled in the heart of the city, right off Lavelle Road, this open-air café sits quietly amidst lush greenery, just a stone’s throw away from UB City and Cubbon Park.

It’s the kind of place you can spot by instinct.

The crowd, the parked bikes, and that unmistakable aroma of freshly brewed filter coffee.

Address:
Airlines Hotel
No. 4, Madras Bank Road, Lavelle Road,
Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Contact:
+91 80 2227 7025

Timings:
7 AM – 10 PM (Every day)

Parking:
Plenty of space under the trees. Because yes, even your car deserves some shade in true Airlines style.

Pro Tip:
Visit early morning for that peaceful, misty Bengaluru vibe (and the crispiest dosas) or drop by in the evening when the fairy lights twinkle under the banyan tree. Either way, you’ll leave with a smile and probably a coffee in hand.

FAQs About Airlines Hotel Bangalore

Why I’ll Keep Coming Back

Airlines Hotel isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling.

It’s nostalgia on a plate, comfort in a cup, and a gentle reminder that amidst the chaos of glass towers and traffic snarls, Bangalore still has a heart that beats to the tune of clinking steel tumblers and rustling leaves.

So the next time you find yourself on Lavelle Road, take a detour.

Park your car, grab a dosa, sip your coffee, and just be.

Because some things in life, like Airlines Hotel, deserve to be savored slowly.

My Final Thoughts

If you haven’t been to Airlines Hotel Bangalore, make it your next breakfast pilgrimage.

Go early, go hungry, and go with someone who appreciates a good story.

Because every table here has one.

And hey, if you spot me under the banyan tree, don’t be shy.

Join me for a filter coffee. I promise, I’ll share the chutney.

Found the article informative? Was it helpful?

Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you. 🙂

Follow me for more insider guides, lesser-known facts, and unforgettable experiences across Bangalore and beyond.

Until next time,

Exploring Bangalore, one story at a time — right here on tariqsp.com.