Mavalli Tiffen Room

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಹಳೆಯ ಪೀಳಿಗೆಯ ರುಚಿಯ ರಾಜಧಾನಿ – MTR

Namma Bengaluru isn’t just a hub of software giants; it’s a garden of nostalgia, brimming with iconic restaurants. From what I’ve heard, MTR stands out as one of the most renowned and cherished eateries in the city.

Born and brought up in the heart of this city, I’ve grown with the scent of its dust and the rhythm of its streets. As a child, I traveled across Bengaluru in BMTC buses with my grandpa, soaking in its essence. My heart always yearns to explore its roots and cherish the landmarks that define its legacy.

Being a Software Engineer by profession, I consider myself lucky that my career began and continues here in Bengaluru. My office is near Lalbagh, and every day, as I pass through the north gate, I catch a glimpse of MTR’s iconic door, proudly displaying “Since 1924.”

Each time I see it, a thought crosses my mind—I should come 30 minutes early tomorrow to finally experience their famous breakfast, as I’ve only visited for lunch multiple times. But then, reality strikes—I can’t afford to be late for work!

My mother always wakes up early to prepare breakfast, but one day, I told her I’d be skipping it as I had to leave early. My real plan? A visit to MTR to relish a delicious benne masala dosa. Of course, she knew—mothers always do. With a knowing smile, she simply winked.

Excited, I kick-started my Royal Enfield and rode off, looking forward to a delightful meal. As I cruised through the streets, my mind was already savoring the thought of that crispy, golden dosa—gari gari dosa! 😋

With those thoughts swirling in my mind, I reached the Lalbagh Gate—only to realize, damn, it’s a one-way! I had ended up at the Lalbagh Main Gate instead. But this spot holds a special memory for me.

About a year ago, on a quiet afternoon, I was waiting at the signal, right at the front, on my charming Royal Enfield. As the signal for vehicles coming from Urvashi Theatre turned red, mine began its countdown—04… 03… 02… 01… The moment it hit green, I revved up and moved ahead.Just then, a Green Audi SUV approached from the opposite side. Instinctively, I hit the brakes, and so did the car. As I turned to my right, my heart skipped a beat—not out of fear, but sheer astonishment. Seated inside was none other than Maharaja Sri Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar! For a moment, it felt surreal—like a divine blessing. He remained calm, no trace of anger, just a gentle smile. That brief encounter filled me with pure joy. With an excited heart, I throttled ahead, and just like that, my day became soooo much better!

Back to where I was—now I had to take the long way around, like tracing a square box. Right, right, right… No other option.

But a new challenge awaited me—parking! Luckily, it was around 9:30 AM, and right in front of Urvashi Theatre, I spotted a closed helmet shop. A bold sign screamed ONLY PARKING FOR SHOP CUSTOMERS. But at that moment, I couldn’t care less. Even if they showed up, there was no way they could move my bike—it’s as heavy as a baby elephant! 😆

With that sorted, I finally stepped into the legendary food paradise—MTR.

The place was a bit crowded, especially near the coffee-serving counter. As I scanned for a seat, I noticed a square table with three chairs—two were already occupied. I took the third one, smiling at the man sitting opposite, half-expecting him to say, It’s taken.

He looked around 60, and beside him sat a small boy—I assumed it was his grandson. Just as I settled in, a waiter arrived and asked for my order. Masala Dosa, obviously! What else could I possibly want at MTR?

But then, came the shocker—“It’ll take at least 20 minutes,” he said. My jaw dropped. Whattttt?

Meanwhile, the gentleman across from me calmly ordered two Bisi Bele Baths. That instantly triggered a craving—Amma makes the best Bisi Bele Bath! Without thinking twice, I told the waiter, “Get me one too… oh, and the Masala Dosa as well!”

Then came the final question—“Coffee beka?”

And like a fool, I said no. 😢 Bad move. Very bad move.

As I glanced around, my eyes landed on Kaddipudi Chandru! It wasn’t the first time I had seen him. A year ago, on my birthday, I had taken my friends out for lunch near Banashankari, and he happened to be at the same place. We even managed to click a picture with him! (Let me dig that photo up now.)

Apart from him, I spotted a few familiar faces, though I couldn’t quite place their names. One man, in particular, stood out—adorned with a thick gold chain, exuding a certain aura.

Sensing my curiosity, the uncle sitting in front of me casually remarked, “This is normal here. Many people come to MTR for coffee after their morning walk.” I smiled, realizing how much this place was a part of Bengaluru’s rhythm.

And just like that, our conversation began. He was a simple, down-to-earth man, and something about his presence felt warm and familiar.

He we started speaking he asked about me, we started exchanging talks. he introduced about him. The boy beside him was his neighbour son. I remembered my days wioth my beloved Govindajja. My ajja used to take my to Lalbhag , cubbon park and get me everything whatever I wished. I still remember the stories my ajja have told me.
He said he went for walking near Richmund Park and the small boy wanted to have Bisibele Bath, he had to the benz get struck at few narrow places and reach here.

He spoke about his journey—how he built a company from the ground up and how he now dedicates his time to empowering students by equipping them with real-world industry skills. He specifically mentioned working with colleges like Tondantaraya College of Engineering, helping bridge the gap between academia and practical knowledge.

Our conversation then drifted toward MTR and its legacy. He shared why it’s so famous—not just for its food but also for its history of goodwill. During World War II, MTR earned a place in people’s hearts by serving free food to those in need, ensuring no one went hungry during tough times.

He also mentioned something I wasn’t aware of—MTR is now owned by a Norwegian company. Despite the change in ownership, the restaurant maintains a professional work culture. Even the waiters here have proper payslips, with PF, tax deductions, health insurance, and other benefits—something quite rare in the restaurant industry. It was fascinating to learn how MTR has preserved its heritage while adapting to modern standards.

Just as I was soaking in his inspiring story, my Bisi Bele Bath arrived, accompanied by a small vessel of pure ghee. The rich aroma hit me instantly. I poured a generous spoonful of ghee over the steaming bath, mixed it slightly, and took my first bite—wahhhhh! Pure bliss! Every spoonful felt like a warm, nostalgic hug.

Soon after, my Masala Dosa arrived. It was as crispy as I had expected, but somehow, it didn’t quite hit the mark in terms of taste. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I was still lost in the flavors of that Bisi Bele Bath!

Meanwhile, the uncle ordered a by2 coffee and finished his share, while I finally got mine. As I sipped on it, I realized it was already 10:30 AM. The waiter took forever to bring the bill, and I kept glancing at my watch, knowing I was running late.

Before leaving, the uncle insisted that I take his number. He also gave me his address and warmly invited me to visit him whenever I was around. As I looked at the location, I realized it was quite close to Ganesha Ajja’s house. I mentioned it to him, and with a sweet, affectionate tone, he said, “Please bring your ajja home one day.” That simple gesture made my day.

The bill was on the higher side, as expected, for just Bisi Bele Bath and Masala Dosa. But hey, it’s MTR—worth it for the experience! I paid at the counter and stepped out, ready to head to the office.

As I rode off, I couldn’t help but smile. The day had started with so much excitement—an unplanned breakfast turned into a memorable experience. I met a new friend, had an unexpected nostalgic moment, and added another special story to my collection. What a perfect way to begin the day!

Why earn money? Not just for wealth, but for moments like these—memories and experiences that truly bring happiness!

---