Feliz Navidad! Where to ring in the festive cheer

Christmas is upon us and it is time for some feasting and merry-making. Here is our round-up of namma Bengaluru’s top dining recommendations to help you make the most of the festive season.

Hilton Bangalore Embassy Golflinks
The hotel team at Hilton Bangalore Embassy Golflinks have planned a Yuletide Christmas brunch on 25th December (Rs.1850 + onwards) which will be spread across two restaurants at Ministry of Food and The Salt Grill. Here, amid a European vibe, you can feast on traditional Christmas dishes like roast turkey, roast lamb and beef, suckling pig, fruit cakes, stollen, and yule log. The drinks menu will include mulled wine, eggnog, seasonal fruit sangria and a Christmas punch.
Price: Rs 1,850 + onwards
Where: Off, Intermediate Ring Rd, Embassy Golf Links Business Park, Challaghatt

Nevermind
If you are in the mood for a glamorous and groovy retro evening, then we suggest you head to Nevermind in Indiranagar for a Yuletide Ball scheduled on December 24, 8.30 pm onwards. The Christmas Eve celebration at this chic bar and restaurant will ensure you have a joyful night with a delicious global menu and specially curated cocktails.
Where: No.614, 615, 12th Main Rd, 7th Cross, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar

Caprese, Shangri-La Hotel
For an intimate and romantic celebration, Shangri-La Hotel Bengaluru has put together a festive degustation menu at their Italian restaurant, Caprese. The Christmas eve dinner and Christmas day brunch at this lovely sky-high restaurant will include delicacies such as Black Truffle infused Turkey, Caviar and fresh Lobster with optional wines and spirits. While you are at it, don’t forget to check out the white, blue and silver décor at the hotel which will transport you to a magical winter wonderland right here in namma Bengaluru.
Price: Brunch (Rs 2,750 +), Dinner, (Rs 2,350)
Where: Shangri-La Hotel, Palace Road

XOOX Brewmill
Meanwhile, XOOX Brewmill in Koramangala, popular for its brews as much its food, is opting for a concise Xmas a-la-carte menu on 24th and 25th December. Each dish has been interestingly planned with an element of beer so we have the Roasted Baby Beet Salad, Malt Caramel, and Belgian Wit ice cream, the Coriander Crusted Duck Confit with Hefeweizen jus and the Beechwood Smoked Pork Belly with Smoked Amber Ale reduction. This refreshing space, which has been converted from an old factory, will also offer special beer-infused desserts and breads for takeaways.
Where: 8, 20, Main Rd, KHB Colony, Koramangala Industrial Layout, Koramangala

The Reservoire
Ever since it opened its doors, The Reservoire has been winning awards hands down as the best cocktail bar in the city. Here, the Christmas menu will be an all-day affair right through December with traditional offerings such as mulled wine, egg nog and more adventurous cocktails like Mistle Toe, Christmas in your Mouth, North Pole and Sleigh Ride. For food, you could choose from Grilled Portofino Fish, Spanish Empanada, Chicken Cordon Bleu and a selection of Yuletide desserts.
Where: 17th Main Rd, KHB Colony, 5th Block, Koramangala

Radisson Blu Atria
Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru is offering two brunch options with unlimited sprits or mocktails  (Rs 2,500 + onwards) at Atria Cafe on Christmas day. The centre-piece of the buffet will be roast turkey and suckling pig among other specials. There will be live music, kids activities and diners will also have access to the swimming pool.
Price: Brunch (Rs 2,500 + onwards)
Where: 1, Palace Rd, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar

URU Brewpark
Spread across four acres, URU Brewpark in JP Nagar takes the food and beverage experience to a multi-zone level with a café, bistro, brewery and a gin garden, all set in a park. On Christmas day, URU is offering a sumptuous brunch  with an extensive spread of traditional dishes such as the Sage Pumpkin Soup, Roast Duck, Christmas Pudding, Xmas Fruit Mud Cake, Festive Yule Log and Mulled Wine to get in you in a merry mood.
Price: Rs 1,399 + onwards
Where: Maratt Estate, Bannerghatta Main Rd, Dollar Layout, Phase 4, J. P. Nagar

Bengaluru Marriott Hotel
Christmas holiday indulgence at the Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield is scheduled over two days at M-Café with a Christmas eve dinner and a Christmas day brunch (both priced at Rs 2,499 + with beer and wine). This delectable festive themed buffet is perfect to hang out with your family and friends while indulging in the seasons finest dishes such as Roast Turkey, Porchetta and Christmas Ravioli paired with a selection of wines and beers.
Price: Rs 2,499 + with beer and wine
Where:  Plot No 75, 8th Rd, EPIP Zone, Whitefield

— Aslam Gafoor is a Bengaluru based hospitality professional, food lover
and travel enthusiast