The items most beloved by Malini Malik at her Bangalore shop, General Items, are a shifting rainbow of handmade glass dessert spoons. The cultish crockery changes colour every few months and has earned a loyal following.
“They’ve been flying off the shelves since day one,” Malik says. “Spoons are such a simple, everyday thing – but watching people light up when they see these colourful ones always makes my day. It’s proof that even the most ordinary objects can bring joy.”
“They’ve been flying off the shelves since day one,” Malik says. “Spoons are such a simple, everyday thing – but watching people light up when they see these colourful ones always makes my day. It’s proof that even the most ordinary objects can bring joy.”
Malini Malik, left, and inside General Items
That quiet attention to the everyday defines the store Malik co-founded with Spandana Gopal – who also runs London-based design studio Tiipoi – in August 2024. Located in Bangalore’s Ulsoor district, General Items is part homeware shop, part gallery, and all about thoughtful design and local craft. The two met while Gopal was looking for somewhere to sell her pieces in India, and they “instantly connected”, Malik says.
“As our vision evolved, we knew we wanted to go beyond just selling a single brand,” Malik says. “Alongside Tiipoi, we imagined a shared space for other like-minded makers – a curated design store and an occasional gallery that reflected both craft and community. The name ‘General Items’ felt like the perfect tribute – a nod to the past, while embodying the spirit of what we were building.”
That quiet attention to the everyday defines the store Malik co-founded with Spandana Gopal – who also runs London-based design studio Tiipoi – in August 2024. Located in Bangalore’s Ulsoor district, General Items is part homeware shop, part gallery, and all about thoughtful design and local craft. The two met while Gopal was looking for somewhere to sell her pieces in India, and they “instantly connected”, Malik says.
“As our vision evolved, we knew we wanted to go beyond just selling a single brand,” Malik says. “Alongside Tiipoi, we imagined a shared space for other like-minded makers – a curated design store and an occasional gallery that reflected both craft and community. The name ‘General Items’ felt like the perfect tribute – a nod to the past, while embodying the spirit of what we were building.”
The shop frontage
Today, behind its red-trimmed shutters and gently peaked roof, the button-cute General Items stocks everything from enamelware and handwoven textiles to books, ceramics and carved wood. Everything is made in India. “It’s an inside joke that we sell ‘elevated’ general items,” Malik says. “Essentially, we offer utilitarian products that elevate daily rituals – objects crafted with love, thought and care.”
Here, she shares her take on the southern Indian city – including where to eat, shop and wind down, plus the best places to taste mangoes in season.
Today, behind its red-trimmed shutters and gently peaked roof, the button-cute General Items stocks everything from enamelware and handwoven textiles to books, ceramics and carved wood. Everything is made in India. “It’s an inside joke that we sell ‘elevated’ general items,” Malik says. “Essentially, we offer utilitarian products that elevate daily rituals – objects crafted with love, thought and care.”
Here, she shares her take on the southern Indian city – including where to eat, shop and wind down, plus the best places to taste mangoes in season.
Describe Bangalore’s vibe. Why should we visit right now?
Bangalore, with its famously pleasant year-round weather, is a city of many layers. It’s the startup capital of India, buzzing with innovation – home to a booming tech industry, a thriving food and drink scene – including legendary microbreweries and speciality coffee spots – and a growing art and design community brimming with fresh energy and ideas. It’s also the perfect gateway to exploring South India, a region where centuries-old traditions sit comfortably alongside contemporary life. From authentic local cuisine and age-old wellness practices, such as yoga and Ayurveda, to independent design studios and new-age eateries, there’s so much to discover in and beyond the city.
Inside rug collector Danny Mehra’s apartment-studio
A dosa is a thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, typically filled with spiced mashed potatoes and served with coconut chutney and sambar (a lentil-based vegetable stew). Idli, made from the same batter, is a soft, fluffy steamed rice cake served with the same accompaniments. Thatte idli is a variation unique to Bangalore: these are larger, flatter idlis steamed in metal plates, known for their soft texture and generous surface area – perfect for soaking up chutney and sambar. Some of my local go-to spots for a classic South Indian breakfast are Brahmins Coffee Bar and Lakshmi Natraj Refreshments (126 Dharmaraya Swamy Temple Rd, 560053).
When someone comes to visit you in Bangalore, where do you take them first?
I love taking people to one of my favourite apartment-studios in the city – a space that houses an extraordinary collection of historic tribal rugs, gathered over four decades by collector Danny Mehra. You could easily spend hours here, exploring his collection – which, as he likes to say, could cover 10 football fields – and listening to him talk about each piece with passion and knowledge.What’s a dish to try when visiting the city?
Everyone in Bangalore knows – and loves – a good masala dosa and idli. These breakfast staples are deeply rooted in the region’s food culture. You can find them in iconic old-school eateries across the city.A dosa is a thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, typically filled with spiced mashed potatoes and served with coconut chutney and sambar (a lentil-based vegetable stew). Idli, made from the same batter, is a soft, fluffy steamed rice cake served with the same accompaniments. Thatte idli is a variation unique to Bangalore: these are larger, flatter idlis steamed in metal plates, known for their soft texture and generous surface area – perfect for soaking up chutney and sambar. Some of my local go-to spots for a classic South Indian breakfast are Brahmins Coffee Bar and Lakshmi Natraj Refreshments (126 Dharmaraya Swamy Temple Rd, 560053).
Breakfast dish idli vada, left, and mangoes growing at Farmlore
I’m a tea snob, and since there aren’t many tea houses or cafés that focus on the drink in Bangalore, I often joke that I know exactly which coffee shops serve the best tea. Nerlu is one of my favourites. It offers an excellent selection from Indian brand Ahista Tea. My go-to order? The Om herbal blend, inspired by ancient Indian wellness traditions. It’s a calming mix of chamomile, lavender, rose petals, lemongrass and lemon verbena.
Talking about breakfast… Any other favourites?
I often find myself at yoga studio and café The Studio by Copper + Cloves, enjoying one of their seasonal smoothie bowls after a morning class. Sarah Nicole Edwards opened the space with a mission to make healthy, plant-based food that’s fun to eat. My current favourite is the dragon fruit smoothie bowl, but I’m already counting down to the mango bowl, a seasonal summer special.Where should we head for the best coffees in town?
Subko, which has locations across the country, is known for its commitment to speciality Indian coffee. The brand’s Ajji House is located in a 70-plus-year-old ancestral home in Bangalore – “ajji” is the Kannada word for “grandmother”. I'm not much of a coffee person, but I recommend trying the SIF on the Rocks – a coffee concentrate with a dash of chicory, milk, condensed milk and ice. It’s Subko’s take on a South Indian filter kaapi.I’m a tea snob, and since there aren’t many tea houses or cafés that focus on the drink in Bangalore, I often joke that I know exactly which coffee shops serve the best tea. Nerlu is one of my favourites. It offers an excellent selection from Indian brand Ahista Tea. My go-to order? The Om herbal blend, inspired by ancient Indian wellness traditions. It’s a calming mix of chamomile, lavender, rose petals, lemongrass and lemon verbena.
Ramen at Naru, left, and one of Nāvu Project’s mango choux
Bangalore’s fine-dining pride is Farmlore, set on a working farm on the city’s outskirts. It’s a true farm-to-table experience, rooted in local traditions and regional flavours that have been reimagined through a modern tasting menu. Chefs cook over a mango wood-fired stove and use local heritage ingredients. I love that the menu changes daily – it’s completely seasonal and based on whatever’s freshest that day. It's a beautiful way to rediscover local flavours.
Visiting the Nāvu Project, started by Pallavi Mithika Menon and Kanishka Sharma, feels like going to a friend’s house for dinner. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and personal. I’ve been especially enjoying their summer specials, including the mango choux, the mango and ponzu burrata salad and their handmade pastas.
Your top spots for dinner?
Often fully booked, Naru noodle bar is located in the heart of Bangalore. What started as a delivery-only kitchen during the pandemic is now one of the city’s most popular joints. My go-to order is the Naati Tori Paitan – a ramen inspired by chef Kavan Kuttappa’s mother’s green masala chicken curry. Growing up, most of us had our own version of a family curry recipe, and even though I tend to be a purist when it comes to food, there’s something about this ramen that transports me to a familiar place, reminding me of my mum’s cooking. They have an excellent tea menu, too – my favourite is the genmaicha, a blend of green tea and roasted rice – and don’t miss the matcha ice cream, served with tapioca soaked in jaggery and crispy rice puffs.Bangalore’s fine-dining pride is Farmlore, set on a working farm on the city’s outskirts. It’s a true farm-to-table experience, rooted in local traditions and regional flavours that have been reimagined through a modern tasting menu. Chefs cook over a mango wood-fired stove and use local heritage ingredients. I love that the menu changes daily – it’s completely seasonal and based on whatever’s freshest that day. It's a beautiful way to rediscover local flavours.
Visiting the Nāvu Project, started by Pallavi Mithika Menon and Kanishka Sharma, feels like going to a friend’s house for dinner. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and personal. I’ve been especially enjoying their summer specials, including the mango choux, the mango and ponzu burrata salad and their handmade pastas.
Pizza, and soft-serve, at 23rd Street Pizza
NY-style pizzeria and wine joint 23rd Street Pizza has been the talk of the town since it opened its doors last year. Vijay Sekhar’s place hits all the right notes when it comes to great food and good vibes. I love the hearty 14-inch pizzas, with the option to go half-and-half – perfect for sharing (or not!). It’s also where to go for the best soft-serves in the city. Try the vanilla, drizzled with olive oil and sea salt.
After my mother’s Indian home-cooked food, the next best thing is a hearty, home-style Thai curry at Far & East in the Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE. What makes it special – apart from the 21st-floor views – is that it shares the space with bar Copitas, a stalwart of Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. Chef Sheong Wong serves some of the best pan-Asian food in the city. I love the pomelo salad.
Channapatna is known for its centuries-old tradition of wooden toy-making craftsmanship, which flourished under Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century ruler of Mysore, who helped revive and sustain the art of hand-carving and lacquering wood. These mills aren’t just beautiful and functional – they carry with them a piece of Karnataka’s rich cultural legacy.
NY-style pizzeria and wine joint 23rd Street Pizza has been the talk of the town since it opened its doors last year. Vijay Sekhar’s place hits all the right notes when it comes to great food and good vibes. I love the hearty 14-inch pizzas, with the option to go half-and-half – perfect for sharing (or not!). It’s also where to go for the best soft-serves in the city. Try the vanilla, drizzled with olive oil and sea salt.
After my mother’s Indian home-cooked food, the next best thing is a hearty, home-style Thai curry at Far & East in the Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE. What makes it special – apart from the 21st-floor views – is that it shares the space with bar Copitas, a stalwart of Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. Chef Sheong Wong serves some of the best pan-Asian food in the city. I love the pomelo salad.
A good souvenir for us to bring home?
I might be biased, but something from General Items. I always recommend our salt and pepper mills – designed by Tiipoi and crafted in an exclusive red shade created especially for the store. Each piece is handmade using locally sourced ivory wood and coloured with natural pigments like turmeric, manjistha and indigo in the nearby town of Channapatna, 60km south-west of Bangalore.Channapatna is known for its centuries-old tradition of wooden toy-making craftsmanship, which flourished under Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century ruler of Mysore, who helped revive and sustain the art of hand-carving and lacquering wood. These mills aren’t just beautiful and functional – they carry with them a piece of Karnataka’s rich cultural legacy.
Vintage signage in Kannada
Afterwards, head over to the Museum of Art and Photography. Tuesdays offer free entry, but on other days, tickets are just 150 rupees (£1.25).
After that, drop by the Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium on MG Road to buy traditional souvenirs like the famous Mysore sandal soap and a few incense sticks – for a couple of hundred rupees. Mysore sandal soap has a fascinating history: during World War I, due to a surplus of sandalwood caused by halted exports, the maharaja decided to use the excess to make soap. It remains the only soap in the world made with 100 per cent pure sandalwood oil and it holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, signalling that it’s unique to Karnataka.
What’s the best way to spend our rupees in the city?
For a first-time traveller, try the “Death by Dosa” tour by Gully Tours. It’s a fantastic way to discover some of Bangalore’s offbeat, hidden gems – each serving some of its best dosas. Along the way, you’ll discover the city’s oldest and busiest commercial district. The walk costs 1,500 rupees (£12.50).Afterwards, head over to the Museum of Art and Photography. Tuesdays offer free entry, but on other days, tickets are just 150 rupees (£1.25).
After that, drop by the Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium on MG Road to buy traditional souvenirs like the famous Mysore sandal soap and a few incense sticks – for a couple of hundred rupees. Mysore sandal soap has a fascinating history: during World War I, due to a surplus of sandalwood caused by halted exports, the maharaja decided to use the excess to make soap. It remains the only soap in the world made with 100 per cent pure sandalwood oil and it holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, signalling that it’s unique to Karnataka.
What’s the last thing you bought in Bangalore?
I recently treated myself to a cotton summer dress by one of my favourite Indian designers, Naushad Ali. When we opened General Items, I was thrilled to discover he’d be our neighbour. The dress is 100 per cent handwoven, made from Bengal mulmul (a fine, soft cotton fabric) and features the traditional Jamdani weave – a centuries-old technique from West Bengal known for its intricate patterns.Where do you go when you want to be inspired?
I find inspiration by visiting the studios of friends and other creatives. There’s something incredibly refreshing about stepping into someone else’s world – seeing how they think, create and bring their ideas to life. Tara Kelton is an Indian-American artist based in Bangalore whose work explores the relationship between humans and machines, and how new technologies shape the way we see and create images. Every time I spend time with her, I leave in awe of her thought process and artistic approach.
Ceviche at supper club Apartment, and tablescaping details
Arora has always loved feeding friends, but it took a serious turn in 2019, when a friend visiting from San Francisco (who’d eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world) came over. Arora created an inventive, contemporary menu just for her, and that planted the seed for something bigger. Later that year, he hosted his first pop-up dinner at home and realised how much joy he got from feeding people. Fast-forward to 2023, and he’d launched a full-fledged supper club. It’s a fun night out. You’re sitting around a shared table, meeting new people and bonding over a delicious meal. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the conversations often carry on long after dessert. He’s now started doing them in New York and Paris.
What’s a fun activity only locals know about?
The Apartment supper club. It’s run by full-time designer and part-time cook Anurag Arora, and, as the name suggests, it’s hosted in his apartment. Don’t let the casual setting fool you: it’s one of the most sought-after food experiences in town.Arora has always loved feeding friends, but it took a serious turn in 2019, when a friend visiting from San Francisco (who’d eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world) came over. Arora created an inventive, contemporary menu just for her, and that planted the seed for something bigger. Later that year, he hosted his first pop-up dinner at home and realised how much joy he got from feeding people. Fast-forward to 2023, and he’d launched a full-fledged supper club. It’s a fun night out. You’re sitting around a shared table, meeting new people and bonding over a delicious meal. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the conversations often carry on long after dessert. He’s now started doing them in New York and Paris.
Is there a guilty pleasure you love to enjoy in the city?
Lately, I’ve been indulging in Japanese wagashi sweets. Tokyo Sweets, run by Kae, who hails from Japan, and Jai, from Bangalore, makes fresh, hand-crafted mochi. They come in a variety of flavours, including a few adapted with Indian ingredients. My current favourites? The Kanjuku Mango, a seasonal special with ripe mango and cream cheese, and the Koicha Kasane, a more traditional mochi made with matcha and red bean.Any other independent shops we should check out?
Tucked away in Chickpet, one of Bangalore’s oldest, most vibrant markets – known for its secondhand bookshops, wholesale textiles, jewellery and pawnbrokers – Balaji Antiques & Collectibles is easy to miss from the outside. It was founded in 1924 by D.G. Balaji and contains a curated mix of eclectic vintage curios, including art deco and colonial-era furniture, South Indian lithographs, old maps of India, bronze artefacts and more. I love the shop’s striking visual merchandising, often arranged by colour, and the range of price points, with unique pieces available from as little as 1,000 rupees (£8.50).
Vintage curios at Balaji Antiques & Collectibles
Fromagerie Nari & Kāge was founded by Kathrina Salam, from Manipur, and Benjamin Armel, who came to India from France on an exchange programme and never left. What started as a lockdown hobby – making homemade feta and camembert – grew into a buoyant business. Noticing the lack of quality local cheeses in India, they wanted to create a space where people could explore and learn about artisanal options. Besides picking up my cheese supplies, I often treat myself to their Sunday special – the sandwiches have become my weekend go-to.
Launched by Sanjay Garg in 2008, Raw Mango is the brand I love best for traditional Indian clothing. It’s played a pivotal role in putting Indian handloom saris on the global map. What I love most about its aesthetic is how it stays deeply rooted in traditional craft yet feels entirely contemporary, thanks to the thoughtful use of colour and motifs. Each Raw Mango location is carefully chosen – usually a restored old home – and brings the heritage space back to life.
The coolest new kid on the block is a vinyl record store that doubles as a listening room, On the Jungle Floor. Akhil Hemdev founded it in 2019 as an online store: he’s been instrumental in shaping Bangalore’s vinyl culture through pop-ups, intimate listening sessions, and now, his very own brick-and-mortar space.
The shop is a major milestone – not just for Hemdev, but for Bangalore’s music lovers. Hemdev lives and breathes music. He’s the kind of person whose love of music is contagious. Spend five minutes with him, and you’ll walk away with a list of things you want to listen to. The shop’s collection includes music from all over the world, but what really stands out is the selection of hidden gems by Indian artists – the kind of records you probably won’t find back home.
Fromagerie Nari & Kāge was founded by Kathrina Salam, from Manipur, and Benjamin Armel, who came to India from France on an exchange programme and never left. What started as a lockdown hobby – making homemade feta and camembert – grew into a buoyant business. Noticing the lack of quality local cheeses in India, they wanted to create a space where people could explore and learn about artisanal options. Besides picking up my cheese supplies, I often treat myself to their Sunday special – the sandwiches have become my weekend go-to.
Launched by Sanjay Garg in 2008, Raw Mango is the brand I love best for traditional Indian clothing. It’s played a pivotal role in putting Indian handloom saris on the global map. What I love most about its aesthetic is how it stays deeply rooted in traditional craft yet feels entirely contemporary, thanks to the thoughtful use of colour and motifs. Each Raw Mango location is carefully chosen – usually a restored old home – and brings the heritage space back to life.
The coolest new kid on the block is a vinyl record store that doubles as a listening room, On the Jungle Floor. Akhil Hemdev founded it in 2019 as an online store: he’s been instrumental in shaping Bangalore’s vinyl culture through pop-ups, intimate listening sessions, and now, his very own brick-and-mortar space.
The shop is a major milestone – not just for Hemdev, but for Bangalore’s music lovers. Hemdev lives and breathes music. He’s the kind of person whose love of music is contagious. Spend five minutes with him, and you’ll walk away with a list of things you want to listen to. The shop’s collection includes music from all over the world, but what really stands out is the selection of hidden gems by Indian artists – the kind of records you probably won’t find back home.
A Nari & Kāge sandwich, and the cheese shop’s facade
Come Away is a design-led travel consultancy that curates thoughtful, immersive journeys across the Indian subcontinent. I focus on places I know well and love deeply.
It all began organically. Friends would ask for travel recommendations and often say, “How do you find these places?” That’s when I realised there was something in the way I travel: intuitive, design-aware and rooted in real experience.
Today, Come Away is a one-woman consultancy where I create made-for-you journeys for those who connect with this approach. Each stay, route and recommendation is shaped by first-hand experience – these are places I genuinely love. I'm also getting ready to launch art- and design-forward online city guides to help people travel more thoughtfully, along with one-of-a-kind objects that reflect the same thoughtful approach to travel and living.
You also run Come Away. Tell us about that.
Come Away is a design-led travel consultancy that curates thoughtful, immersive journeys across the Indian subcontinent. I focus on places I know well and love deeply.
It all began organically. Friends would ask for travel recommendations and often say, “How do you find these places?” That’s when I realised there was something in the way I travel: intuitive, design-aware and rooted in real experience.
Today, Come Away is a one-woman consultancy where I create made-for-you journeys for those who connect with this approach. Each stay, route and recommendation is shaped by first-hand experience – these are places I genuinely love. I'm also getting ready to launch art- and design-forward online city guides to help people travel more thoughtfully, along with one-of-a-kind objects that reflect the same thoughtful approach to travel and living.
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