* The Cafe is now opening its new massive outlet on the Hosur road, Bommasandra from April 13, 2026
The Rameshwaram Café, is a premium, pure vegetarian South Indian chain of quick service restaurants (QSR). In its latest expansion, the cafe is opening a massive "Experience Centre" in Bommasandra, Hosur Road, which opens to the public on April 13, 2026. In a discussion with Manu Sharma, Senior Editor of Silicon Village India, Raghavendra Rao, a Serial Entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO of The Rameshwaram Cafe spoke on various aspects from his humble beginning, catering to celebrities and to the massive expansion plans in India and overseas. Excerpts
New Outlet Opens From April 13
Located on the Hosur Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Bengaluru (near Narayana Health City). marks a significant milestone in India’s evolving dining landscape.
‘’For the first time, this will be a large format QSR, where we have dining space for about 150-200 customers. It took us about 2.5 years to build this massive structure, he says. Spread across an expansive 90,000 sq. ft., over 3 floors, the new outlet goes beyond conventional dining to offer an immersive, culturally rooted experience. Designed as a space where devotion meets dining, the restaurant integrates spiritual elements with hospitality, creating a unique destination for its customers’.
Unique Features of the Cafe
It is designed as a cultural destination featuring a goshala, temple-style ambiance, an amphitheater, and 24/7 service. Visitors are welcomed by the sprawling complex which is described as having "Temple-like" architecture, installations of Adi Yogi and Nandi, followed by the Devi Linga Bhairavi Temple within the premises. The space also features a towering Indian flag and a dedicated gowshala housing rare Punganuru breed cows, adding to its distinctive character.
The culinary journey is complemented by live counters inspired by Lord Vishnu’s Dashavatar, blending mythology with food presentation. At the centre is a large amphitheatre, highlighted by an intricate wooden carving of Lord Sri Venkateshwara, envisioned as a platform for cultural performances and artistic expression.
Rao goes on to indicate that when we launched our first outlet in the city, ‘’we witnessed the pain experienced by our customers’, the small outlets had few seating spaces and saw long queues outside waiting in the hot sun and rain. It's true that at the prime locations in the city, availability of land is very difficult. So after our 8th outlet, we decided to move to the outskirts of the city like this one on the Hosur Road. This is designed to accommodate up to 10,000 guests with extensive parking, aiming to manage large weekend crowds better than smaller outlets.In fact, this is spread over 1 acre of land and with another ½ acre at the back for huge parking space.’’
Despite being a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR), formats, the Bommasandra outlet introduces a traditional sit-down dining experience. Guests are encouraged to remove footwear, cleanse their feet and dine on the floor with meals served on banana leaves, bringing ritual and mindfulness into the dining process,’’ he adds.
Unique Dishes Of South India
The Rameshwaram Cafe is renowned for its signature, ghee-drenched South Indian breakfast items, particularly the Ghee Podi Masala Dosa, Ghee Podi Idli and crispy Pudina Masala Dosa, Kesari bhaat fragrant with pineapple and saffron, khara bhaat (upma), ven pongal slick with ghee, Bisi bele bhaat with crispy boondi and raita on side, sweet pongal with jaggery, ghee pudi idli, Benne masala dosa, and lemon rice.
Among its must-try menu include: Ghee Podi Idli, Masala Dosa, Paddu, Filter Coffee, and unique additions like Strawberry Ice Cream with Falooda. Other desserts include pootharekulu — paper-thin rice sheets layered with jaggery, crushed dry fruits and a generous drizzle of ghee from Andhra— followed by filter coffee soft serve topped with a hot shot of decoction, their playful take on an affogato.
Why The Name Rameshwaram?
It was the dream of the founders to launch “The Rameshwaram Café” as a premium, pure vegetarian South Indian chain of quick service restaurants. The name ‘Rameshwaram’ was chosen by the founders to pay tribute to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, as it was his birthplace. It holds true to its value of authenticity and the expansive flavours of South India. In the chaotic cacophony of extroverted leaders, Dr. Kalam led the nation with his patience, dedication, and charming old-school ways.
Humble Beginning
Raghavendra's career began with a desire to become an actor. He spent years apart from his family, surviving on temple offerings and odd occupations, due to rejection and suffering. He eventually went home and obtained an engineering degree, which he completed after ten years.
In 2012, amid struggles and financial uncertainty, ‘’I realized that I needed to take charge of my destiny. Fueled by enthusiasm and supported by friends, I embarked on a new venture by launching a small food cart on the streets. This marked the beginning of my journey in the hospitality industry.’’
His initial foray into the culinary world was a roadside kiosk that sold idlis and dosas at a park in Kumarapark West, Bengaluru.
‘’I borrowed Rs 2 lakh from friends and opened a roadside outlet in Kumara Park selling idli and dosa. Sales were decent; profits were not. “Everything went into running the eatery and keeping the municipality happy,” he remarked.
A 100 sq ft space in Gandhinagar followed, but he was forced out when the restaurant upstairs complained that his business was eating into theirs. Next came a 450 sq ft outlet in Nagarapet. Loyal customers began expressing interest in joining the business. In 2016, he moved into a 3,000 sq ft space and made them directors.
IDC Kitchen Venture
IDC Kitchen, short for "Idli, Dosa, Coffee," is a Bengaluru-based chain of vegetarian South Indian restaurants established in 2012 by founders Raghavendra Rao, Prashanth Raj, and Abhishek Baldota. Known for its hygienic, self-service format, it started as a single outlet before expanding, focusing on authentic Karnataka-style dishes.
He says, ‘’We experienced success and focused on serving high-quality, authentic South Indian breakfast staples in a hygienic, self-service setting and the chain expanded to over 15 outlets in Bengaluru and other cities, including Mumbai. ‘’But in 2014, I decided to exit this venture and moved on to start a similar new venture,’’ he remarked.
“While I look after the kitchen and operations, my wife handles the finance aspects of business," Rao said with a smile. Honestly, I don’t understand business much. I’m all about customer relations.’’
Cafe Caters To Celebrity Weddings
The cafe catered to the wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai, serving South Indian delicacies at the Jio World Convention Centre. The cafe served food during high tea and dinner, featuring items like Coconut Puran Poli, Pesarattu Dosa, and Filter Coffee. Roa says the cafe was involved in catering for the pre-wedding, the haldi ceremony, and the second pre-wedding cruise. Some of the dishes included Coconut Puran Poli, Pesarattu Dosa, Thatte Idli, Bonda Soup, and their signature Filter Coffee. We can cater to about 20,000 people and the dishes were enjoyed by high-profile guests and stars like Rajinikanth. Also, during phase 2, the company plans to sell online through websites like Swiggy and Zomato.
Cafe’s Expansion Plans
Following its success in Bengaluru, the brand is expanding to other cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and planning international locations in Dubai. ‘’We now plan to open our Dubai over the next 6 months. This is going to be at Karama and will come up on a 10,000 sqft of built up space. Likewise, we have planned another outlet at Hennur in north Bengaluru over the next few months. ‘’All our outlets are on a franchisee model and have plans to go to the temple towns of Ayodhya, Varanasi and Shirdhi over the next few years. While these cafes’ are today seen as a success story, the journey to get here spans nearly 15 years of struggle and reinvention,’’ he concludes.
The Rameshwaram Café, is a premium, pure vegetarian South Indian chain of quick service restaurants (QSR). In its latest expansion, the cafe is opening a massive "Experience Centre" in Bommasandra, Hosur Road, which opens to the public on April 13, 2026. In a discussion with Manu Sharma, Senior Editor of Silicon Village India, Raghavendra Rao, a Serial Entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO of The Rameshwaram Cafe spoke on various aspects from his humble beginning, catering to celebrities and to the massive expansion plans in India and overseas. Excerpts
New Outlet Opens From April 13
Located on the Hosur Road, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Bengaluru (near Narayana Health City). marks a significant milestone in India’s evolving dining landscape.
‘’For the first time, this will be a large format QSR, where we have dining space for about 150-200 customers. It took us about 2.5 years to build this massive structure, he says. Spread across an expansive 90,000 sq. ft., over 3 floors, the new outlet goes beyond conventional dining to offer an immersive, culturally rooted experience. Designed as a space where devotion meets dining, the restaurant integrates spiritual elements with hospitality, creating a unique destination for its customers’.
Unique Features of the Cafe
It is designed as a cultural destination featuring a goshala, temple-style ambiance, an amphitheater, and 24/7 service. Visitors are welcomed by the sprawling complex which is described as having "Temple-like" architecture, installations of Adi Yogi and Nandi, followed by the Devi Linga Bhairavi Temple within the premises. The space also features a towering Indian flag and a dedicated gowshala housing rare Punganuru breed cows, adding to its distinctive character.
The culinary journey is complemented by live counters inspired by Lord Vishnu’s Dashavatar, blending mythology with food presentation. At the centre is a large amphitheatre, highlighted by an intricate wooden carving of Lord Sri Venkateshwara, envisioned as a platform for cultural performances and artistic expression.
Rao goes on to indicate that when we launched our first outlet in the city, ‘’we witnessed the pain experienced by our customers’, the small outlets had few seating spaces and saw long queues outside waiting in the hot sun and rain. It's true that at the prime locations in the city, availability of land is very difficult. So after our 8th outlet, we decided to move to the outskirts of the city like this one on the Hosur Road. This is designed to accommodate up to 10,000 guests with extensive parking, aiming to manage large weekend crowds better than smaller outlets.In fact, this is spread over 1 acre of land and with another ½ acre at the back for huge parking space.’’
Despite being a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR), formats, the Bommasandra outlet introduces a traditional sit-down dining experience. Guests are encouraged to remove footwear, cleanse their feet and dine on the floor with meals served on banana leaves, bringing ritual and mindfulness into the dining process,’’ he adds.
Unique Dishes Of South India
Among its must-try menu include: Ghee Podi Idli, Masala Dosa, Paddu, Filter Coffee, and unique additions like Strawberry Ice Cream with Falooda. Other desserts include pootharekulu — paper-thin rice sheets layered with jaggery, crushed dry fruits and a generous drizzle of ghee from Andhra— followed by filter coffee soft serve topped with a hot shot of decoction, their playful take on an affogato.
Why The Name Rameshwaram?
It was the dream of the founders to launch “The Rameshwaram Café” as a premium, pure vegetarian South Indian chain of quick service restaurants. The name ‘Rameshwaram’ was chosen by the founders to pay tribute to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, as it was his birthplace. It holds true to its value of authenticity and the expansive flavours of South India. In the chaotic cacophony of extroverted leaders, Dr. Kalam led the nation with his patience, dedication, and charming old-school ways.
Humble Beginning
Raghavendra's career began with a desire to become an actor. He spent years apart from his family, surviving on temple offerings and odd occupations, due to rejection and suffering. He eventually went home and obtained an engineering degree, which he completed after ten years.
In 2012, amid struggles and financial uncertainty, ‘’I realized that I needed to take charge of my destiny. Fueled by enthusiasm and supported by friends, I embarked on a new venture by launching a small food cart on the streets. This marked the beginning of my journey in the hospitality industry.’’
His initial foray into the culinary world was a roadside kiosk that sold idlis and dosas at a park in Kumarapark West, Bengaluru.
‘’I borrowed Rs 2 lakh from friends and opened a roadside outlet in Kumara Park selling idli and dosa. Sales were decent; profits were not. “Everything went into running the eatery and keeping the municipality happy,” he remarked.
A 100 sq ft space in Gandhinagar followed, but he was forced out when the restaurant upstairs complained that his business was eating into theirs. Next came a 450 sq ft outlet in Nagarapet. Loyal customers began expressing interest in joining the business. In 2016, he moved into a 3,000 sq ft space and made them directors.
IDC Kitchen Venture
IDC Kitchen, short for "Idli, Dosa, Coffee," is a Bengaluru-based chain of vegetarian South Indian restaurants established in 2012 by founders Raghavendra Rao, Prashanth Raj, and Abhishek Baldota. Known for its hygienic, self-service format, it started as a single outlet before expanding, focusing on authentic Karnataka-style dishes.
He says, ‘’We experienced success and focused on serving high-quality, authentic South Indian breakfast staples in a hygienic, self-service setting and the chain expanded to over 15 outlets in Bengaluru and other cities, including Mumbai. ‘’But in 2014, I decided to exit this venture and moved on to start a similar new venture,’’ he remarked.
My Second Innings
Raghavendra Rao and his wife Divya Raghavendra Rao wanted to make authentic South Indian food accessible beyond Bengaluru and hence together they launched The Rameshwaram Cafe in 2021. It began as a modest Indiranagar outpost but quickly multiplied to outlests in JP Nagar (2021), Whitefield (2022), Rajajinagar (2023), Madhapur (2024). Last year, the original Indiranagar branch was expanded to 15,000 sq ft and they also opened another outlet at the Bengaluru airport.
“While I look after the kitchen and operations, my wife handles the finance aspects of business," Rao said with a smile. Honestly, I don’t understand business much. I’m all about customer relations.’’
Cafe Caters To Celebrity Weddings
The cafe catered to the wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai, serving South Indian delicacies at the Jio World Convention Centre. The cafe served food during high tea and dinner, featuring items like Coconut Puran Poli, Pesarattu Dosa, and Filter Coffee. Roa says the cafe was involved in catering for the pre-wedding, the haldi ceremony, and the second pre-wedding cruise. Some of the dishes included Coconut Puran Poli, Pesarattu Dosa, Thatte Idli, Bonda Soup, and their signature Filter Coffee. We can cater to about 20,000 people and the dishes were enjoyed by high-profile guests and stars like Rajinikanth. Also, during phase 2, the company plans to sell online through websites like Swiggy and Zomato.
Cafe’s Expansion Plans
Following its success in Bengaluru, the brand is expanding to other cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and planning international locations in Dubai. ‘’We now plan to open our Dubai over the next 6 months. This is going to be at Karama and will come up on a 10,000 sqft of built up space. Likewise, we have planned another outlet at Hennur in north Bengaluru over the next few months. ‘’All our outlets are on a franchisee model and have plans to go to the temple towns of Ayodhya, Varanasi and Shirdhi over the next few years. While these cafes’ are today seen as a success story, the journey to get here spans nearly 15 years of struggle and reinvention,’’ he concludes.
No comments:
Post a Comment