Blue Ginger, Taj West End

Vietnamese food in a pavilion over a lily pond, under trees that are older than the city's flyovers. Go for dinner when the lamps are lit. Book a table by the water.

Alba, JW Marriott

Handmade pasta and a wine list that takes ten minutes to read. Quietly one of the best Italian rooms in town. Ask the server which pasta was made that morning, and order that.

Farmlore

A tasting menu on a 33-acre farm outside the city, cooked over fire with what's growing that week. Every course had a story. Book well ahead and plan the drive back. This is a full afternoon, not a quick dinner.

Jamavar, The Leela Palace

Royal Indian food in a room that feels like a palace, because it is one. Slow-cooked dal that took me back for seconds. Walk the Leela's gardens before dinner. Dress up a bit; you'll feel out of place otherwise.

Toscano, UB City

Candlelit Italian on a terrace, UB City lit up all around. Our anniversary go-to for three years running. Book the terrace for a weekend evening, and save room for the tiramisu.

Bengaluru Oota Company

Gowda and Mangalorean home food, served in a house in Halasuru. The host explained where every dish came from. Reservation only, at least a day ahead, over WhatsApp. Go hungry; the courses keep coming.

Karavalli, Taj MG Road

The closest you'll get to coastal Karnataka without driving to Mangalore. The fish curry tasted like my grandmother's. Ask for a table in the garden, and order the appam to mop up everything.

Rim Naam, The Oberoi

Thai food in a garden pavilion, the MG Road traffic somehow completely silent. The green curry was the best I've had in India. Ask for an outdoor table, and order the curry hotter than you think you want.

Kumarakom