15 cafes and breweries in India that take you on a discovery trail of flavours and brewtopia

​​A refreshing revolution of beverages is underway and India’s ever-evolving cafe culture is poised to infuse a novel zest into our traditional coffee rendezvous. A beverage renaissance takes centre stage while breweries emerge like liquid poets, crafting tales of flavours that dance on the palate, elevating the art of brewing to a spirited crescendo. 

Here’s ELLE DECOR India’s freshly brewed creme de la creme of cafes and breweries in India that transport you to different worlds where each sip is a journey.

The Bayleaf Café, Mumbai

Step into the Bayleaf Cafe, where a vibrant joie-de-vivre emanates from its pebbled courtyard. This chic haven adorned with eco-conscious elements like stone flooring, terrazzo and upcycled wood is an architectural expression of heartfelt sustainability. Upasana Gupta Popli, Co-founder Architect at Vipasna Designs, underscores “The urgency for architects to weave mindfulness into a design which not only resonates with the environment today but for generations to come.” For her, the blueprint for this particular cafe transcends mere design. This eco-friendly retreat with conscious material concocting jute, basalt stone and natural cane seamlessly blends sustainability with a garden oasis, rejecting single-use plastics and embracing locally sourced materials.

Bean Theory Coffee, Thane

In the busy streets of Maharashtra in Thane, Bean Theory Coffee offers a restful nook where subtle contrasts of shapes and colours created by principal designer Anam Taufik of AT Studio converge with the gentle embrace of sunlight. As noon transitions to dusk, the crisp white walls serve as a canvas for the sun’s farewell performance, casting a warm, golden palette across the room. The interior’s clean lines interplay with soft curves and circles, crafting an ambience that balances the exuberance of youth with the enduring charm of classic design.

Bokka Coffee House, Mumbai 

At Bokka Coffee House, you’ll go on a journey where each drink is a thrilling adventure and every moment is a treasure chest of memories. The virtuoso designer Preetu Muley Pandey, the Founder and Chief Interior Designer of Pree D’fine defines grandeur with a rustic allure as she transforms an aged building into an exquisite coffee sanctuary. Cloaked in cold greys and blacks, the entire space exudes a modern, masculine allure. Patrons encounter a divine ambiance, curated with diverse seating options—plush green leather cushions and sleek metal chairs, a testament of comfort and style. A display unit, metal rods placed strategically, hanging creepers and the interplay of lights make Bokka an oasis of laborious details. 

Bombay Brasserie, Mumbai 

Nestled within the bustling cityscape of Mumbai, Bombay Brasserie designed by Amey Dahanukar of ARA Designs, unfolds its tale within the walls of a rejuvenated art deco space. From hand-woven textiles to iconic tin tiffins, banana leaf fibre backdrops and terrazzo flooring, every inch is a canvas painted with the hues and textures that define India’s rich heritage. Balancing tradition and modernity, Bombay Brasserie traverses through a majestic courtyard and an enticing balcony adorned with hand-carved tables from Rajasthan. The minimalist white palette serves as a backdrop to the thoughtful curation of kites, wooden dolls, sarees and carvings. 

CAARA at PURE HOME + LIVING, Delhi

The vibrant yet elegant ambience of Pure Home + Living (PHL) at Khan Market acts as a delightful table for CAARA’s decadent menu. A timeless, cosy space is created by the simplistic design, wooden accents and splashes of whimsical blues in the overall white interiors. Nestled in the chic ambience of PURE HOME + LIVING, CAARA is a carefully curated experience bathed in mellow lights that highlight the modern aesthetic of the space yet enhance its quaint charm. Bringing nature indoors with a feast of fleeting flavours is served on PHL’S dinnerware, this collaboration is an ode to the changing seasons.

Cafe Holiday, Mumbai 

Cafe Holiday, a whimsical retreat born from the inspiration of its name, radiates an easy laid-back charm that’s as endearing as a sunny day off. Conceived with an aesthetic mirroring its Versova flagship, the cafe’s facade is a visual treat—an arched entrance leading to an exterior wall dipped in dreamy blue ombré paint. A peek inside unveils the magic of blue and natural cane lights setting the stage for a two-zone wonderland: outdoors, a vintage terracotta-tiled haven with swings; indoors, a Santorini-adorned bar that steals the show. Designed by Minnie Bhatt, Cafe Holiday is a joyous escape where low ceilings meet minimalist chic and faux windows playfully flirt with stained glass shutters.

Cray Craft, Mumbai

Ruchika Chhabria of Ruchika Chhabria Interiors, orchestrates a ballad of elegance Cray Craft, where ‘Earthy Elegance’ takes centre stage along with a majestic 21 ft clay light totem, setting the tone for an extraordinary experience. Visionaries Arjun Rathi and Harshita Jhamtani unfold whimsical light installations throughout the space adding an element of playful sophistication. The ground floor boasts a lively 16 ft bar adorned with wooden tables and a harmonious blend of stone, chevron veneer, Otomi patterns and fluted glass louvres—a functional masterpiece doubling as an artful expression. Ascending to the first floor unveils a serene dining space adorned with mesmerising clay pendant lights and delicate orbs suspended in artistic grace. 

Stand by Coffee, Mumbai

Serving specialty brews and warm connections, this new cafe in Mumbai merges the charm of the 80s with contemporary comfort. Stand by Coffee in Worli, designed by The Brain Studio, is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate, whether it be with a book, having joyous conversations with coffee enthusiasts or with your pets. The “box-office” coffee bar is the focal point of the restaurant, surrounded by polished nickel accents. The cafe is bathed in soft lighting, with versatile seating for those who enjoy their privacy and those who love lush greenery and outdoors, while sipping on some delicious Macchiatos and Cold Brews. 

Kana, Bengaluru

Embark on a design odyssey with Studio Skapa Architects as they draw inspiration from the breezy nature-infused cafes of Bali. The colour palette dances on a white-washed branding wall doubling as a privacy screen warmly welcomes visitors leading to an outdoor oasis bathed in sunlight. The coffee bar stands elegantly clad in pastel green subway tiles creating a chic contrast with a playful mosaic-clad pizza oven. The design contrasts indoor and outdoor experiences with the first floor. Arches adorned with merchandise add a subtle grandeur while earthy peach hues grace the space fostering a connection with nature. The main kitchen flaunts itself behind toughened glass and rattan pendant lamps illuminate the terrazzo dining tables, orchestrating an enchanting escape from the city chaos.

Ledor World, New Delhi

Reminiscent of the English tea rooms, Ledor World in New Delhi converges artistic ingenuity with culinary excellence. Draped in rich woodwork and sumptuous marble, Studio Dashline has crafted a time-travelling experience that explores the vintage charm of London.  Mosiac flooring and a muted colour palette punctuated with old-school greens and browns create a luxurious and nostalgic ambience, each corner of Ledor speaks tantalizing tales of bygone eras. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked goods lingers in the space as one embarks on the journey into the art of chocolate-making.

Roxie, Bengaluru

Imagined by Sandeep Bangera Design, Roxie epitomises an ethos of youth and adventure infusing Venetian architectural grace and the charm of Italian landscapes. The craft brew house unfolds a radiant main bar at ground level embraced by outdoor gardens, while an upper level enthrals with volume shifts and a serene garden. Outdoor spaces shape the interior, whereas hand-painted stones infuse depth and captivating colour variations. Cast iron fixtures and grand chandeliers intertwine classical and modern, evoking a timeless allure. From garden to rooftop, the Italian-made coverings are Roxie’s ode to nature’s tranquillity, crafting an architectural masterpiece.

Mazl, Surat

Neogenesis+Studi0261, led by Chinmay Laiwala, Jigar Asarawala and Tarika Asarawala, unveils Mazl, a Lebanese culinary haven in Surat. Spanning 1,100 sq ft, the restaurant is a Middle Eastern symphony of taste and flavours. The open-plan kitchen, seamlessly integrated with the dining area features concrete-finish tiles, cream-textured sandstone walls reminiscent of Lebanon and monochromatic black tables. Bathed in daylight, courtesy of the glass façade, Mazl exudes Scandinavian simplicity transitioning to an intimate ambiance at night with custom fabric lights and acoustically refined elements. Fauvesss’ bespoke wall art, a collaborative masterpiece accentuates the restaurant’s timeless charm.

Myfresh Café, Panchkula 

Myfresh Café doesn’t just serve coffee; it’s a wild ride through a sinuous wonderland where natural forms party unabashedly. It’s an experiment in embracing seamless minimalism echoing architect Charles Deaton’s disdain for a life boxed in angles. This super-brand demanded a design that’s anything but ordinary—a fluid, adhesive masterpiece. Curvilinear ceilings, statuesque Dholpur stone slivers and free-form oak furniture on a blank canvas make MyFresh the vibrant buxom host. Add layers of green, floor lamps and a monotonal palette for that extra magic. Led by architects Suvrita Bhardwaj and Nikhil Pratap Singh, Loop Design Studio turns Myfresh into a contemporary haven reflecting patrons’ vibes with a touch of whimsical enchantment.

Café Dori, Gurugram

Nappa Dori unveils its newest cafe, featuring the enchanting duo of Café Dori and Dori Living. Beyond a culinary escapade, Café Dori promises a sensory delight offering artisanal coffee, delectable pastries and a diverse menu crafted for every palate. Merging contemporary allure with nostalgic charm, natural materials, vintage decor and careful detailing exist in harmony. Complementing this, Dori Living stands as a haven for home decor enthusiasts, fusing seamlessly with Café Dori’s charm. Together, they beckon patrons to relish exquisite flavours and draw inspiration from captivating aesthetics—an extraordinary fusion of taste and design.

Watson’s, Kochi

Nestled in The International Hotel, Kochi, this bar crafted by Amitha Madan of Treelight Design amalgamates legacy with Watson’s neighbourly allure. A modern interpretation of a hacienda courtyard, the space boasts flat arches with inclined walls. Transforming plain ceilings into vaulted arches, mud plaster imparts warmth to the walls, while natural stones in a fan pattern evoke courtyard aesthetics. The spatial journey unfolds like a home, leading to a heart inspired by a courtyard with a central water fountain. Challenges meet creativity, reinforcing structures for openness without compromising its architectural heritage.

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