If you are looking for a place that sums up the beauty, vibrancy and appeal of Bangalore, look no further than Ulsoor. It is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city and is centrally located. From Ulsoor, or Halasuru, you can easily walk to MG Road. It is close to other popular areas such as Indiranagar, Domlur, Cox Town and Victoria Layout. Its own metro station, Halasuru Metro Station, makes commuting fast and fuss-free.
That’s not to say that the location in itself doesn’t have loads on offer. There are plenty of malls, parks, the famous Ulsoor Lake and tons of renowned restaurants and fun pubs to explore and enjoy. Ulsoor also has some beautiful temples and a fascinating market area that its residents enjoy.
Ulsoor is a great residential area to stay in. If you are thinking about buying or renting a home in Ulsoor, we tell you what you can expect from the location. From the best restaurants and cafes to fun things to do on the weekend and great places keep children entertained, here’s everything you need to know about Ulsoor.
List of top gated communities in Ulsoor, Bangalore
1. Prestige Hermitage, Ulsoor
Among the most premium buildings in the city, a flat here runs into 10s of crores of rupees. Prestige Hermitage, therefore, has the best of everything: each of the 23 villas is a monstrous 7481 sq ft and even has a sky deck; its amenities include an amphitheatre, AC lobby, squash court and more.
Highlights and Amenities in Prestige Hermitage
Type of apartments: 4 BHK Sky Villas
Area per apartment: 7481 sq ft
No of flats: 23
2. Aqua Forte, Ulsoor
An unassuming building in a very prominent location, Aqua Forte is bang opposite the famous Ulsoor Lake. Just walk across the road and you can exercise, play football or jog along a beautiful lake.
Highlights and Amenities in Aqua Forte
Type of apartments: 2 BHK & 3 BHK
Area per apartment: 1250 sq ft to 1460 sq ft
3. Sobha Diamond, Ulsoor
One of the smaller Sobha gated communities, this is in the prime of Ulsoor. The 3 BHKs and 4 BHKs located within are spacious and in close proximity to Ulsoor Lake. Like many of the buildings in the area, it doesn’t have much in the way of amenities (particularly because it doesn’t have many large communities), but it does have a swimming pool.
Highlights and Amenities in Sobha Diamond
Type of apartments: 3 BHK & 4 BHK
Area per apartment: 2745 sq ft
No of flats: 4
4. Lakeview Apartments, Ulsoor
This complex is situated bang across the Ulsoor Lake, one of the most beloved hangout spots in all of Bangalore. Nonetheless, you needn’t even walk across the road to exercise because Lakeview Apartments has all the facilities indoors, with a play area, badminton court, swimming pool and more. Rainwater harvesting facilities have also been setup.
Highlights and Amenities in Lakeview Apartments
Type of apartments: 2 BHK & 3 BHK
Area per apartment: 1300 sq ft to 2245 sq ft
5. HM Gladiolus, Ulsoor
A standalone apartment with large homes measuring a carpet area of nearly 2000 sq ft, HM Gladiolus has become a landmark in the Ulsoor area. Despite its small size, the building has a swimming pool and gym. All the apartments have wooden or granite flooring and 24*7 power backup.
Highlights and Amenities in HM Gladiolus
Type of apartments: 3 BHK
Area per apartment: 2630 sq ft
No of flats: 28
Things to do in Ulsoor, Bangalore
1. Be a coffee connoisseur
Ulsoor has many amazing cafes to sample freshly-brewed coffee. Homegrown Indian brand Maverick & Farmer Coffee has a lovely space overlooking turf football fields, with a number of aromatic brews to choose from and a fine food menu to match. Kaara By The Lake is a small joint right by Ulsoor Lake that has a relaxed vibe, good coffee and great breakfast options to choose from after your morning walk.
2. Enjoy traditional Mangalorean cuisine
Two standout Mangalorean restaurants in Ulsoor are Mangalore Pearl and Bengaluru Oota Company. Mangalore Pearl is known for its delicious seafood dishes such as Seer Masala Fry, Squid Butter Garlic and Prawn Pepper Fry. Bengaluru Oota Company is a homely restaurant located in a bungalow that features delectable Gowda and Mangalorean dishes. Try their Korri Gassi and Crab Curry.
3. Visit historical temples
Ulsoor has two beautiful temples with rich history and beautiful architecture. The Sri Someshwara Swamy Temple dates back to the Chola period and celebrates Lord Shiva. This is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore and is close to MG Road. Hanuman Temple is also worth a visit. It is located on a busy road in Ulsoor Bazaar nearby.
4. Shop till you drop
Because Ulsoor is in the heart of the city, it is close to so many great stores and shopping areas. Commercial Street, MG Road and Brigade Road – all wonderful walking and shopping locations – are just a few kilometres away. There are also great shopping malls such as 1 MG Lido Mall, Bangalore Central Mall and Garuda Mall in and around Ulsoor.
5. Eat authentic Greek Moussaka
Marzipan Cafe and Bakery is owned by a Greek expat and serves delicious moussaka – a casserole made with eggplants. It’s a nice quiet cafe – one that you can even work at. They have some great desserts such as pies, cakes and cupcakes to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
6. Visit some unique boutiques
Ulsoor has a few great places to pick up handmade ethnic wear for special occasions. Ambara is one such boutique that sells jewellery, sarees, home decor, toys and other knickknacks. It is housed in a charming bungalow, making exploring even more fun. Ravina’s boutique is also a great place to find fabulous outfits at reasonable prices. These stores are definitely worth a visit if you are looking for unique apparel and accessories.
7. Enjoy a live event
Urban Solace in Ulsoor is a lively cafe that hosts events such as comedy nights, poetry readings and open mic nights. Head here if you love watching or participating in community events. The American food menu does not disappoint and they serve wine and sangria if you are looking for something stronger than coffee.
Places to visit in Ulsoor, Bangalore
1. Tiamo – Conrad
Tiamo is a great place to hang out on a date or with family and friends on the weekend. It has a great ambiance and outdoor seating near its infinity pool. You can enjoy their Tiamo Sunday Sundowners Brunch (with or without alcohol options) and eat scrumptious Mediterranean cuisine. The brunch is from 2 pm to 6 pm so you can take your time eating, drinking and catching up with the whole of Sunday.
2. Ulsoor Market
This is a haven for those who enjoy the thrill of a good bargain. In an old-school market shopping area, you’ll find everything from stationary to cooking utensils and food staples. This market has been around for ages and is extremely popular with the residents of Ulsoor. Head to Sumangali Stores for your stationery needs or buy spices and grains front the many stores lining the busy streets.
3. 1 MG Lido Mall
There’s something for everyone at 1 MG Lido Mall. It’s ideal for spending a fun family day when it’s too hot or raining outside. If you’re looking for homeware, head to Pure Home + Living. Foodies will love exploring Foodhall, with all its Indian and imported goodies. There are several restaurants in all price ranges, including family favourites like Barbeque Nation and McDonald’s. The mall also houses an Inox theatre and Hamleys.
4. Funky Monkeys Play Centers
This popular soft play area is across Bangalore and is loved immensely by kids. It is designed for children aged 6 months to 10 years. A safe and fun way for kids to release all their abundant energy, Funky Monkeys is well-maintained, clean, and offers a great selection of snacks. You can host children’s birthday parties here and there’s free WIFI in case you need to catch up on some work while your children are playing.
5. Yauwacha
If you’re looking for the perfect place for a classy date or celebratory meal, look no further than Yauwacha. Located in 1 MG Lido Mall, this Asian restaurant serves mouth-watering food and has a renowned patisserie. It is vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Try their range of amazing dim sum and desserts.
6. Ulsoor Lake
Perhaps the most well-known lake in all of Bangalore, Ulsoor lake is where residents of the city come to take in some fresh air with a spectacular view of the massive water body. It’s a great place to go for a walk or a run. There are plenty of benches to sit down and catch up with friends or spend some alone time. The place offers boating, too, if you are feeling adventurous. What’s more, its central location makes it the perfect pitstop before you continue to a cafe, brewery, mall or park.
FAQs about Ulsoor, Bangalore
The distance between Bangalore City Station and Ulsoor is 4 kilometres.
The travel distance or driving distance between Ulsoor and Bangalore Airport is 25.6 kilometres.
There are a number of bus stations in Ulsoor, with the largest one being in Murphy Town. For the nearest bus depot, you can visit BMTC Bus Depot 06 in Hoysala Nagar.
Yes, Ulsoor has a metro station, being just two stops from the centre of the city and one stop away from Indiranagar.
The best place to hangout would be Ulsoor Lake, where you can take a walk or go on a boat ride. You can also visit Maverick and Farmer for a good cup of coffee and play some football on the adjoining turf park. Lastly, there are numerous good places to eat and drink at, including Mangalore Pearl, Watson’s, Marzipan and more.
The quickest way to get from Bengaluru Airport (BLR) to Ulsoor is by taxi which costs ₹600 – ₹900 and takes 45 to 70 minutes depending on traffic. The cheapest way to get from Bengaluru Airport (BLR) to Ulsoor is by bus which costs ₹150.
The best hospitals in Ulsoor include Lakeside Medical Health Centre, Syamala Hospital Research Centre, Belle Vue’s Cambridge Hospital and Uvincare.
Some of the best schools in Ulsoor are Frank Antony Public School, Charan’s Public School, Auro Mirra International School and Sr Meera’s School.
There are several parks in Ulsoor. Ulsoor Lake park is most popular and surely the largest, but there’s also BBMP Park. However, since you’re so close to the city centre, you could also just head on over to Cubbon Park or Lalbaug nearby for a truly peaceful walk or jog.
If you’re looking to work out, Ulsoor has plenty of gyms and fitness centres. Some popular gyms are Olympic Gym & Fitness Centre, Multifit Ulsoor, The Den, Pyro Fitness and more.
The Ulsoor Police Station is in Udani Layout, a few 100 metres from the metro station and traffic police station.