15 Best Cafés in India: A Coffee Lover’s Guide
India’s café culture is thriving, offering everything from cozy book cafés to luxurious heritage coffee houses. Whether you love artisanal coffee, Instagrammable interiors, or a relaxing place to work, here are the 15 best cafés in India that every coffee enthusiast should visit.
1. Indian Coffee House – Kolkata
Why Visit? A historic café dating back to the British era, famous for intellectual debates and old-world charm.
• Frequented by Satyajit Ray and Rabindranath Tagore.
• Serves affordable coffee and classic Indian snacks.
☕ Must Try: Classic filter coffee with crispy cutlets.
2. Café Madras – Mumbai
Why Visit? A legendary South Indian café in Mumbai, known for its authentic filter coffee.
• Over 80 years old, still serving traditional Tamil Nadu-style coffee.
• Always crowded, proving its unbeatable quality.
☕ Must Try: Filter coffee with butter dosa.
3. Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters – Multiple Cities
Why Visit? India’s leading specialty coffee brand with beautifully designed cafés.
• Sourced directly from Indian coffee farms.
• Offers a variety of brewing methods like aeropress, pour-over, and siphon.
☕ Must Try: Cold Brew Coffee with almond croissant.
4. The Coffee Cup – Hyderabad
Why Visit? A cozy café with books, board games, and live music.
• Perfect for a relaxed coffee experience.
• Known for its charming rooftop seating.
☕ Must Try: Caramel Macchiato with a cheesecake.
5. Café Dori – Delhi & Mumbai
Why Visit? A European-style café that serves specialty coffee and gourmet food.
• Features minimalist décor and a pet-friendly atmosphere.
• A great spot for work and casual hangouts.
☕ Must Try: Vietnamese Cold Brew with truffle fries.
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6. Writers’ Café – Chennai
Why Visit? A bookstore café supporting burn victims by training them as baristas.
• Cozy reading corners and affordable coffee.
• Supports a meaningful social cause.
☕ Must Try: Affogato (Espresso with vanilla ice cream).
7. Third Wave Coffee – Multiple Cities
Why Visit? A new-age specialty coffee chain with a strong focus on quality.
• Known for its minimalist interiors and hand-brewed coffees.
• Sourced from India’s top coffee estates.
☕ Must Try: Honey Cinnamon Latte with Belgian Waffles.
8. Glenary’s – Darjeeling
Why Visit? A colonial-era café with stunning views of the Himalayas.
• Famous for freshly baked pastries and Darjeeling tea.
• A favorite among locals and travelers.
☕ Must Try: Darjeeling Coffee with apple pie.
9. Café Mocha – Bangalore
Why Visit? One of Bangalore’s most stylish cafés, known for its exotic coffee blends.
• Features outdoor seating and vibrant décor.
• Serves both continental and Indian fusion food.
☕ Must Try: Turkish Coffee with chocolate lava cake.
10. Keventers & Café – Mussoorie
Why Visit? A classic British-style café with breathtaking mountain views.
• Established in 1925, serving legendary milkshakes and coffee.
• A must-visit for nostalgic charm.
☕ Must Try: Hot Chocolate with blueberry pancakes.
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11. Raju’s Café – Pushkar
Why Visit? A charming hippie-style café with a relaxed vibe and lake views.
• Popular among backpackers for its organic coffee and peaceful ambiance.
• Great for chilling with live music.
☕ Must Try: Iced Mocha with hummus toast.
12. Café des Arts – Pondicherry
Why Visit? A French-inspired café with bohemian décor and a garden seating area.
• Famous for its French breakfasts, fresh croissants, and artisanal coffee.
• A hidden gem in White Town, Pondicherry.
☕ Must Try: Espresso with a French-style croissant.
13. Roastery Coffee House – Kolkata & Hyderabad
Why Visit? A specialty coffee café with a focus on ethically sourced beans.
• Roasts its own beans for rich, aromatic coffee.
• Offers brewing workshops for coffee lovers.
☕ Must Try: Pour-over Ethiopian coffee with a cinnamon roll.
14. Champaca Café – Bangalore
Why Visit? A bookstore café surrounded by lush greenery.
• A peaceful space for reading, working, or having deep conversations.
• Serves organic and sustainably sourced coffee.
☕ Must Try: French Press Coffee with homemade banana bread.
15. Baba Budan Giri Café – Chikmagalur
Why Visit? Located in India’s coffee capital, Chikmagalur, this café serves the freshest coffee straight from local estates.
• Surrounded by coffee plantations and misty hills.
• Perfect for a scenic coffee-tasting experience.
☕ Must Try: Traditional South Indian Filter Coffee.
Final Thoughts
From historic Indian Coffee Houses to trendy specialty cafés, India offers an incredible variety of coffee experiences. Whether you prefer heritage coffee houses, modern third-wave cafés, or scenic hilltop coffee spots, there’s a café for every coffee lover in India.
Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
Loretta Shelton
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