Yesterday afternoon, I met two friends from Chennai at lunch – Garden by Su in Bangalore —and what a lovely, grounding experience it turned out to be.
Tucked away in a quiet part of the city, Garden by Su feels more like a cozy sanctuary than a restaurant. With its lush plant-filled corners, earthy tones, and soft natural light streaming through tall windows, the space invites you to pause and exhale. Every detail—from the handmade imprefect ceramics to the rustic wooden tables—whispers calm and conscious living. It’s the kind of place where conversations flow gently, where time slows down just enough for you to notice the texture of a leaf or the pattern on your chai cup.
We started with a round of refreshing kombucha—berry for one friend and guava for his wife. Both were sharp, mega fizzy, just the right hint of sweet and tangy. It set the tone for what was clearly going to be a nourishing meal.
The starters came in first:
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Gochujang Cauliflower—perfectly crisp, mildly spicy, with that signature fermented depth from the Korean chili paste. A definite crowd-pleaser.
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Sweet Potato Chaat with Channa Masala—a surprise twist that worked beautifully. The sweetness of the roasted potatoes played off the robust spiced chickpeas, and the drizzle of tangy chutney brought it all together.
We also shared a Carrot & Lentil Soup—simple, creamy, with a subtle warmth of spices and had a gentle hum of heat that we felt at the back of the throat. It tasted like something made in a friend’s kitchen, comforting and honest.
For mains, we split the
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Kashundi Burger—a mustard-forward vegetarian patty tucked into soft bread that looked like it had been inside a sandwich maker cos the edges were sealed- called a UFO burger. It was served with crunchy salad & a kashundi forward dip. Earthy, bold, and very satisfying.
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4-Hour Slow Cooked Rajma with Rice—this was a nostalgic hug on a plate. Rich, deep flavours, clearly slow-cooked with patience. The rajma was yumm, very different from what I make or eaten elsewhere and was served with a big portion of rice, and 2 kulchas.
And finally, dessert. A chocolate mousse-like creation with a shard of brandy sugar slab, and a chocolate log—silky, not overly sweet, with a hint of bitterness that made it feel grown-up and indulgent. We actually wanted the Babka French toast, but was told it would take 20mins, and one friend had to leave for a meeting and so we opted for this one.
Garden by Su is more than just a pretty café. It’s an extension of a philosophy—one that celebrates slow food, conscious choices, and shared moments. If you’re looking for a place to reconnect—with friends, with food [esp if you are vegetarian/vegan] with yourself—Garden by Su is worth a visit.
The entire meal was Rs2500 [approx]
Address: 499/32-4, 9th Main, 46th Cross Rd, 5th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078
