The Kodagu Café in the domestic lounge in Terminal 2 | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Terminal 2 of Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport opened its doors in early 2023. Designed to showcase Karnataka’s rich heritage, the terminal combines nature with modern architecture. It is designed in a “garden city” style, which is reflected in the use of bamboo and lush greenery throughout. Now, a year after its opening, the terminal celebrated its commercial launch in early August. Award-winning restaurants, bars and retail outlets, as well as the chic 080 Lounge, are now open to domestic travellers. We got a first-hand tour of the terminal.
Celebrity chefs
T2 is India’s first restaurant by Wolfgang Puck. The award-winning Austrian chef has many Michelin stars to his credit. He was a major figure in California in the 70s and is known for his use of French techniques and American styles. The restaurant in the terminal offers a limited menu of pizzas, salads and some of his signature desserts. Some must-try dishes are WP’s Asian salad, Swiss omelette, wild salmon and the famous Basque cheesecake. We also recommend the Asian chicken wings and prawn pizza.
British chef and TV presenter James Martin also has his first Indian restaurant in T2, the James Martin Kitchen. The chef is the host of Saturday morning with James Martin on British television screens. With a focus on British ingredients and baked goods, the menu features salads, sandwiches, wraps and rolls. Choose from dishes such as avocado on toast, three cheese rarebit, New Zealand lamb chops or a full English breakfast with all the trimmings. One dish that stood out was the Makhani chicken waffles.
The Wolfgang Puck Kitchen and Bar in T2 of Bengaluru Airport | Photo credit: Special arrangement
080 Lounge for the domestic market
The highlight of the terminal is the 080 Domestic Lounge. In keeping with the presentation of the state’s heritage, the lounge displays art and architecture that are inspired by the state. For example, the coffee kiosk, the Kodagu Café, is themed around Coorg and its coffee culture. The café offers a variety of local coffee brands on a rotating basis.
The lounge’s menu was designed by celebrity chefs Ranveer Brar and Abhijit Saha and focuses on Indian ingredients. In addition, the lounge features a retro-style bar called Radio House and a well-equipped business center.
Indian food
For authentic Karnataka cuisine, guests can head to Maiyas. Maiyas is a popular Karnataka-based chain that was founded in 2012 by the family behind MTR Legacy Restaurant. In T2, the brand has a beautifully designed restaurant with an Indian feel and a menu of local specialties. Gully Kitchen is another place to enjoy Indian cuisine. There are biryanis, dosas, samosas and chai, but also vegan and Jain dishes. A more fusion-style Indian restaurant, Farzi Cafe is also located in T2. Farzi Cafe offers experimental and modern takes on Indian classics. Fans of Bengaluru’s RCB team can head to RCB Bar and Cafe. The extensive bar menu offers draft beer and cocktails.
The Johnny Rockets branch serves diner-style burgers, shakes and fries
Burgers and more…
Johnny Rockets is an American franchise chain that specializes in diner-style burgers, fries, and milkshakes. We loved the interior, which is designed to resemble a typical 1950s diner with neon lights and large billboards. Another American highlight at T2 is the Hard Rock Cafe. The store features rock band merchandise, live music gigs, and a menu of burgers and cocktails. One of our favorite stops on the tour was PF Chang’s. The American-Chinese chain offers special dishes like lettuce wraps and dynamite shrimp.
With such a selection and a range of retail brands such as Mont Blanc and Hidesign, the terminal hopes to pamper travelers before boarding their flight. If you’re like me and have pre-flight anxiety, a curated dining experience might be just the ticket.
