Dosa wars heat up: Bengaluru airport welcomes iconic CTR; Rameshwaram Cafe to open by March

Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer of Bengaluru International Airport Limited

The dosa wars in Bengaluru are heating up with the city’s iconic Central Tiffin Room (CTR) opening an outlet at Kempegowda International Airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) arrivals.

“The best feeling ever – really chuffed to see @ctr1920 outside #T2 at @BLRAirport. As someone who spent all my childhood holidays in Malleswaram, this is just the best feeling. I had my first #BenneMasala today. Delicious!!” wrote Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer of Bengaluru International Airport Limited on X (formerly Twitter).

Moneycontrol first reported this development on October 2 in the article titled ‘Bengaluru airport set for dosa wars: CTR vs Rameshwaram Cafe’.

Also, read: Bengaluru airport set for Dosa wars: CTR vs Rameshwaram Cafe

Prices for items sold at the airport are on the higher side. For instance, a benne masala dosa (butter dosa) costs Rs 90 at CTR's Malleshwaram outlet but is priced at Rs 285 at the airport.

BIAL sources said that another popular joint Rameshwaram Cafe will open at Terminal 1 (post-security) by March. Currently, other popular eateries at Bengaluru airport include Hatti Kaapi in the T2 lounge, Ooru Canteen at T1 departures, and Maiyas at T2 departures.

CTR, also known as Sri Sagar Hotel in Malleswaram, is a legendary Bengaluru eatery established in 1920. Renowned for its buttery and crispy benne masala dosa, it has been a favourite of both locals and celebrities.

Rameshwaram Cafe, founded in 2021, has quickly gained a loyal following for its generous use of clarified butter (ghee). Named after the birthplace of former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam, it has become a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.

In March 2024, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated two Indira Canteens near the airport, including one at the P7 parking area, addressing the demand from cab drivers for affordable meals. Indira Canteens offer breakfast for just Rs 5 and lunch or dinner for Rs 10.

Kempegowda International Airport has been expanding its offerings and connectivity, now serving 75 domestic and 30 international routes. In 2024, the airport achieved record-breaking traffic of 40 million passengers, elevating its status to a ‘large airport’ under Airports Council International (ACI) guidelines.

The airport, which commenced operations on May 24, 2008, in Devanahalli, about 40 km from Bengaluru’s central business district, is India’s third-busiest airport after Delhi and Mumbai. On December 1, 2023, it surpassed 300 million cumulative passengers since its inception.

Also, read: Bengaluru airport achieves record 40 million passenger traffic in 2024, ranked in ‘large airport’ category