Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Bengaluru's MTR to Launch First Overseas Franchise in Sydney
A very famous restaurant in India is opening a brand-new branch very far away in Australia.
The restaurant is called Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, but most people call it MTR for short.
It has been cooking yummy South Indian food in the city of Bengaluru since 1924 — that is more than 100 years!
People love its crispy dosas, soft idlis, and special filter coffee.
A long time ago, during World War II, there was not enough rice, so MTR made idlis using semolina instead — that is how the famous rava idli was born.
An Australian minister named Julian Hill visited the restaurant, loved the food, and shared the exciting news on Instagram.
He said it was literally the best dosa he had ever eaten.
The new MTR restaurant in Sydney will serve the same classic menu that made the brand famous.
Indian people living in Australia and other food lovers will now be able to enjoy authentic South Indian food closer to home.
MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Rooms), the 102-year-old Bengaluru restaurant founded in 1924, will open its first international franchise in Sydney, Australia.
Australian Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill announced the news on Instagram, calling MTR's dosa 'literally the best dosa ever.'
The Sydney outlet will offer MTR's classic menu of masala dosa, rava idli, Bisi Bele Bath, filter coffee and the Chandrahara dessert.
MTR invented rava idli during World War II, when rice rationing led it to use semolina and sour curd instead of rice.
The expansion targets the Indian diaspora in Australia and food enthusiasts, with MTR already operating outlets in cities such as Singapore, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Seattle, Toronto and Bristol.
- Who
- Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR), the Bengaluru restaurant founded by the Maiya family in 1924, with the announcement shared by Australian Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill.
- What
- MTR announced it will open its first international franchise in Sydney, Australia, serving its classic South Indian menu.
- When
- Recently announced; no specific opening date was mentioned in the articles.
- Where
- Sydney, Australia (new franchise); MTR's flagship restaurant is on Lalbagh Road, Bengaluru, India.
- Why
- To bring MTR's iconic South Indian flavours to the Indian diaspora in Australia and international food enthusiasts.
- Restaurant
- Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR)
- Founded
- 1924 by the Maiya family
- Age
- 102 years
- Original location
- Lalbagh Road, Bengaluru, India
- First international franchise
- Sydney, Australia
- Signature dishes
- Masala dosa, rava idli, Bisi Bele Bath, filter coffee, Chandrahara dessert
- Historical innovation
- Rava idli invented during World War II when rice was rationed
- Existing international outlets
- Singapore, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Seattle, Toronto, Bristol
