Ready set sip! 9 cafes and bars in India that could be your next favourite getaway

Searching for a new go-to cafe or bar in India? Well, your search ends here! From classically modern to minimalistic dreamscapes, these 9 cafes and bars give you everything you’re looking for, from an odyssey of piping hot coffees to icy cocktails all year round.  

Cacaoté in Ahmedabad by LEQB UK Ltd 

An ode to lavish timelessness, this cafe is a plush modern romance, a treasure-filled space spread across 15,000 sq ft adorned in Italian paint textures and neutral hues. Founders of Cacaoté Vraj Patel and Rita Patel, a mother and son duo, have us drowning in delectable desserts, gourmet pastries and simply mesmerising chocolates. How could you possibly choose? Delivered to us by Founder Alexander Bakhmatskyi of LEQB UK Ltd, this luxurious chocolate dream has finally come to life.

The Gateway Taproom in Mumbai by Skill Craft Decor 

Transport yourself to one of the local pubs in London without leaving Mumbai. This spatial experience is orchestrated by Principal Designer Mihir Mistry of Skill Craft Decor. A bold orange hue drapes the doors with windows reflecting glimmers of the sun, reminiscent of the classic London phone booth doors. There’s an array of textures from cement-hued tiles, seasoned walnut tones and tan leatherette furniture to custom metal lights that seep soft hues onto the table and bar. The Gateway Taproom is the perfect spot for the break you simply need!

KUP. in Chennai by Roaish Architecture + Design 

Picture this. A house more than 50 years old, spanning over 4,000 sq ft in the heart of Chennai transformed into a minimalist modern cafe! Retaining intricate details from the facade from the mosaic flooring to old-school plaster bands, this is a dream destination for your daily piping hot teas and mouth-watering cold brews. KUP. crafted by Roaish Architecture + Design and executed by Orange Elephant, flows effortlessly from indoors to the outdoors posing perfect juxtapositions of bold black tones and crispy white hues.  

Monkey Bar in Mumbai by the Olive Group 

A tropical haven, to say the least, Mumbai’s very own Monkey Bar, is enveloped in soft greens, pigeon blues and sunset oranges. Woven by Sabina Singh, design director of the Olive Group of Restaurants in collaboration with Interior Designer Raseel Gujral Ansal, the menu sports global delectables. The menu sports delicacies like bacon-wrapped prawns and a sorbet tonic, to your favourite regional Indian dishes and drinks like the Sahuji Mutton Roll — a Nagpur speciality — and even the Manga Mule inspired by a desi marmalade! It is draped with lush greenery, warm lights and features a sleek bar — the design proffering an ode to indigenous flavours and bold textures!  

Brunch & Cake in Mumbai by Ether & Sol Design House 

A nostalgic reflection of ‘Grandma’s Goodness’ where each sip feels like unconditional love, behold a simply magnifique display of artistry and warmth. Cosy seats nestle in a space filled with pastel hues — from lemon yellows, peachy pinks, seafoam greens to sandy beiges, accompanied by wooden accents and brass finishes. But it doesn’t stop there. There’s Brunch & Cake’s iconic classics, surfboards, white shells and the beloved Grandma. Designed by Pavithra Datta and Nihar Bandaru owners of Ether & Sol Design House, now you know your next stop in Mumbai. 

Norman in New Delhi by Studiio Dangg

Are you someone who loves sipping on cocktails while being draped in a luxurious haven? Norman, a modern-day bar in New Delhi exudes glamorous living while being a reflection of Normandy’s Romanesque architecture. It’s like a page ripped out of a history book with a modern twist. Brought to life by Studiio Dangg, it resembles a starry night with deep blues and reflective chromes, injecting the space with glimmers of gold and espresso hues. 

Sixteen 33 in Mumbai 

The Portuguese-inspired interiors play host to an array of signature cocktails — with tangy liqueurs like shrimp and rice! This newly opened cocktail bar is also an all-day dining spot. There’s cold cocktails all year round accompanied by a great finish to your drinks — chorizo-stuffed olives! The intersection of the 16th and 33rd road in Bandra represents the name Sixteen 33, located in Mumbai. It’s a bar you can’t miss.

Onrique in Mumbai 

At this picturesque destination, an odyssey of mellow hues and intimate dining rest in the heart of Mumbai. Onrique: it’s playful, it’s draped in pastels and the view — need we say more? Velvety richness dresses the interiors and drinks, while a flawless transition befalls the space. In daylight, a sleek yet cosy boulangerie, and as evening falls a cocktail paradise with soulful music! Another place to add to your list!

Siren Cocktail Bar in Bengaluru  

All you adorers of the eclectic, gather around — it’s time to go to Siren Cocktail Bar in Bengaluru! Plush velvet fabrics, an odyssey of prints and dramatic lights wrap this haven. An ode to the mesmerising heritage of China, the space brings forward intimacy and thoughtfulness behind every seducing cocktail.

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