Adyar Ananda Bhavan - A2B — Restaurant in Bengaluru

Even after reading many reviews about this restaurant which states it as pathetic I visited here last week as I was running out of options for lunch. But now I feel, I should have skipped the lunch instead of crashing in here.

LOCATION: This restaurant is located on the Nagawara Junction at Outer Ring Road. It looks very prominent from the road due to huge sign boards.

AMBIENCE: It’s huge… Honestly I didn’t expect this restaurant to be this much huge from it’s external view. This restaurant has both AC Service hall and Non-AC self service hall. Both offer seating facility. Interiors are pretty neat with too many animal themed dustbins placed all over the place purposelessly. AC service hall is open for only lunch and dinner. Lighting in the self service hall is quite dim.

SERVICE: This carries the legacy of pathetic service of A2B. I waited almost 10 mins at the service counter to get my one scoop of ready made food. There was no preparation needed nor there was multiple items to pour on my plate, but still they made me to wait despite the factor that there were 4 staffs at the service counter and only 3 customers on the other side of the service counter. Careless!

FOOD: For an afternoon they hardly had 5-6 choices and I choose bisibelebath as I felt that would be better for an afternoon. But my choice was bad. The Bisibelebath was more like sambar rice with the undercooked vegetables in it. They served some papad with Bisibelebath which was very odd. The taste was not at all convincing and didn’t justify the pricing.

EVERYTHING ELSE: They have dedicated parking space for two wheelers but getting parking space for four wheeler is pure luck. The whole floor seems hygienic. Pricing is bit high compared to darshinis which offer the same service.

FINAL VERDICT: This outlet is no different to the pathetic reputation of A2B. You can visit this restaurant if you don’t have any other...

My recent experience ordering from A2B and indulging in their South Indian cuisine, specifically the idli vada, was nothing short of delightful. South Indian food has always been a personal favorite, and A2B did not disappoint.

First and foremost, the idli vada was a testament to authenticity and taste. The idlis were soft and fluffy, a testament to proper fermentation, and the vadas were perfectly crispy on the outside while retaining their tenderness within. The combination of these two classics on a single plate made for a satisfying meal.

The highlight, of course, was the accompanying sambar. A2B's sambar was a symphony of flavors, with the right blend of spices and a hint of tanginess. It complemented the idli and vada beautifully, elevating the dish to a whole new level. It's clear that the chefs at A2B understand the art of making this traditional South Indian staple.

To add to the feast, A2B offered two varieties of chutney. The coconut chutney was creamy and had a delightful coconut flavor, while the tomato chutney had a pleasant spiciness to it. These chutneys provided a burst of flavor that perfectly balanced the idli and vada.

In terms of the overall experience, the ordering process was convenient, and the food arrived promptly and well-packaged. It's evident that A2B takes pride in maintaining the quality and taste of South Indian cuisine, even for takeaway orders.

In conclusion, A2B's idli vada meal was a true South Indian delight. The idli, vada, sambar, and chutneys all contributed to a satisfying and authentic culinary experience. Whether you're a South Indian food enthusiast or simply looking to explore this cuisine, A2B is a reliable choice that delivers on both taste and tradition. I'll certainly be returning for more of their delectable offerings...

I’ve been a regular customer at Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B), visiting about three times a week. The food quality has always been excellent—that’s the only reason I kept coming back, even when prices were already on the higher side. The self-service system made visits convenient and prices were just about manageable, but now that has been stopped.

Unfortunately, they’ve done away with self-service and now force everyone into table service. Along with this, the prices have shot up:

Masala dosa (self-service) used to be ₹105. Now, even for self-service it's ₹115, and for table service, it's gone up to ₹120!

Idly was ₹45, now ₹55.

The most shocking—tea was ₹36 (already high!), and is now ₹50 for a single cup. Seriously, are they putting gold in the tea or what?

It’s really frustrating how an affordable, straightforward “self-service” format has been removed, leaving loyal customers with no option but to pay more for the same food, and wait longer. The price hikes are just too much and I feel like customers are being taken for granted simply because the place is famous for good food.

Sadly, with these changes, you have lost a regular customer in me. Unless things improve, I won’t be coming back. Hope the management rethinks these choices, for the sake of all its...