Coming back to Mangalore is not really about ticking places off a list. It is about finding my way back to familiar rituals: a temple visit, delicious breakfast, something yum for lunch and, if there is still room, a simple dinner at home.
If you asked me how to spend your first day here, this is the day I would suggest. Come with an appetite. We will need it.
Begin at Sharavu Ganapathy Devasthana
My first stop in Mangaluru is always Sharavu devasthana. It is like a ritual. No visit feels complete without taking blessings in this temple. If it is rushed day, it would be this temple at the least.
Make time for Kadri Manjunath Temple too. We generally try to leave by 6:30 am to cover both the temples. These are not stops I would rush through just to fit more into the day. Breakfast can wait a little, although preferably not too long.
Breakfast, with a market-day alternative
For breakfast, my first preference is moms Moode-Chutney. But restaurants are fabulous for breakfasts here. Head to Ideal Cafe opposite Sharavu. It makes a lovely next stop after the temple. But if you have time explore the options mentioned in the top tiffin spots post as they also serve breakfast.
If the morning includes shopping for vegetables and fish at Urwa market, make Hotel Karthik your breakfast stop for sure. I was introduced to it by Shriya and Varun Shetty who run BuCo and have been obsessed. Order their KT coffee and thank me later.
Lunch is a difficult decision
Kesari Military Hotel, Narayan’s or Machali: pick one for lunch. These are my suggestions for this first-day food trail, rather than a ranking. There will be other days for the others.
Give lunch some time.
A walk, charmuri and Gadbad
Rest up for a bit after a very indulgent lunch. By evening, head to Kadri Park for a walk or hit Tannirbhavi Beach. A long walk is highly recommended, mostly so you can justify some Charmuri afterwards. Then, head to Pabbas for a Gadbad or parfait. Yes, both are firmly on my list.
And an unpopular opinion: I love the Gajbaje at Just Sundaes by Naturals in Mannagudda just as much. There, I said it.
Finish with a little taste of home
If there’s somehow still space left in your tummy, end the day with something simple and homemade: fish curry, rice and upkari, or ganji and chutney.
After all the lovely food outside, that simple meal at home is still how I would like the day to end. Nothing elaborate. Just familiar flavours and the feeling of being back.
And if you are up early the next morning, go for a walk. On my August visit, there were sweet-smelling parijata flowers scattered along the way. Sometimes it is those small things, as much as the food and places, that bring you home.