Kalingas — Restaurant in Bengaluru

Kalinga’s, located in BTM Layout, is a small eatery that offers traditional Odia cuisine, a relatively rare find in Bengaluru’s diverse food landscape. Intrigued by the regional focus, I decided to give it a try.

Unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired — particularly in terms of cleanliness and hygiene. The premises were not well maintained, and I observed several unhygienic practices, including staff handling food with bare hands. This understandably raised concerns about the food preparation standards at the establishment.

For my order, I tried the Samosa Chaat and Chhena Poda, two popular Odia snacks. Both items were average in taste — not bad, but not memorable either. The chaat lacked the freshness and punch typically expected, and the chhena poda, while soft, didn’t capture the rich caramelized flavour that the traditional sweet is known for.

While the intention to introduce Odia flavours to a broader audience is commendable, the lack of basic hygiene and cleanliness significantly detracts from the dining experience. Unfortunately, based on this visit, I would not consider returning, nor would I recommend it to others until improvements are made in maintaining cleanliness and food...

The place is basically a sweet and snack/meals shop, with limited seating of 2-3 tables, if you haven't guessed it by the name, it's an Oriya joint with authentic and delicious Sweets/snacks to offer. I(and many) are particularly fond of chena poda, rabdi ras malai and chena (steam) cake.. Though other sweets are equally potent. Snacks are again Oriya/central Indian types I. E. Samosa, alu chap, bada, poori sabzi, dahi bada alu dum(yes! and authentic), masala/pyazi vada (sometimes). Oriya snacks like poha(avlakki) chivda, mixture etc are always available(packed though, not in loose). Not many people are aware/ have tried the meals here, again Oriya and delicious, cooked to perfection. Those who haven't tried Oriya cuisine earlier, as per me it's and mid ground of maharashtraian/M. P and bangla style cooking. Rotis and rice is really nice here, although I am a vegetarian but have heard lot about the fish preparation here from my bengali friends. Price is on higher side if you are expecting ur home town tariffs, but reasonable as per Bangalore. Quantity though (for meals and a-la-carte) is marginally sufficient for a single person of moderate appetite. Overall good...

Unfortunately, my experience was far from pleasant. While the shop has a niche offering, it fails to deliver on multiple fronts, making it a disappointing visit.

The first issue I encountered was the behavior of the staff. The customer service was below par, with the staff displaying a lack of courtesy and enthusiasm. They seemed indifferent to the customers, which left a bad impression right from the start. Basic politeness and a welcoming attitude go a long way, but it appears the management has overlooked this crucial aspect.

The food, though claiming to represent Odia flavors, was average at best and definitely not worth the steep prices. The dishes lacked the authenticity and finesse one would expect from a place specializing in regional cuisine. To add to the dissatisfaction, the portion sizes were inadequate for the high price, leaving me feeling shortchanged.

While Kalingas has potential due to its unique focus on Odia food, it needs serious improvements in both customer service and pricing. Until these issues are addressed, I would not recommend this place to anyone seeking value for their money or a pleasant...