9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 1/22

← Previous

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 2/22

Tweet 49 6 StumbleUpon

Around India Through 17 Of Its Most Unique Concept Cafes. Pay ThemA Visit.

Finding a cafe that suits your personality is a little bit of an identity thing. And it’s been interesting to note the refreshinglyravenous risk appetite of cafe owners in recent times. Rather than sticking to comfortable culinary trends like Indo-Chinese-Punjabi joints or yet another mediocre Italian eatery, we’ve spoken a fair bit about how culinary culture in urban India isevolving fast, but there’s even more good news on the cafe front.

People are paying more and more attention to the conceptualisation and themes of their cafes, developing philosophies andideas that they want their spaces to stand for and then creating decor, menus and additional facilities to further cement theirconcepts as well. Including but not limited to a ‘Seva Cafe,’ where sharing is caring and the concept of paying for what you eatin the traditional sense is null and void, to a stunningly designed Bicycle Cafe (for all cycling enthusiasts) we took a little triparound India to find the best concept cafes around the country. Pick the one closest to you and pay it visit. If it’s on this list, youwon’t regret it.

[These cafes are not presented in any order of preference, and are only collated alphabetically.]

1. Biker’s Cafe NH-22

…a highway shack for bikers.

Where: NH-1, close to Haryana.

Situated about 5 km away from Ambala Cantonment towards the North, this cafe was specially designed to make the journey forbikers as smooth as possible. The owner, a biker himself, having understood the discomforts faced while riding to long distances,started this venture that would provide them a place to relax, fill their stomachs, and buy gears and accessories for the bikes.

HG Loves: We’re no bikers ourselves, but a shack away from the hustle-bustle of the world does make us want to buy a RoyalEnfield and set out on the road to Leh!

Admin July 24, 2015 BIKES CAFES, CONCEPT CAFES, INDIA, NAVIGATE, TASTEMAKER, TRAVEL

3.8kLike Share 21

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 3/22

Image courtesy – 4.bp.blogspot.com

2. Cafe STORY

…a cafe-cum-art space & library

Where: Elgin Road, Kolkata

Café STORY was born out of a collaboration between Primarc and Penguin India, in order create a space where people couldhave access to over 3000 titles. Within the library, there is a cafe that is being managed by thevariety of food such as salads, pasta, risottos, sandwiches, tea, coffee, soda and more. They even provide stationery items–writing pads, pens, sketch pads, pencils, easels, brushes and paints– that allows frequenters to scribble down ideas and work ontheir art pieces.

HG Loves: You can spend your whole day here doing completely different things right from reading and snacking, to painting.When you get tired of indulging in all of the ‘relaxing activities’ yon offer, you can charge your mind with some of the board gamesthat they provide.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 4/22

Image Source: Zomato

3. Chavadi

…a community culture cafe, bar and grill

Where: Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru

Chavadi is a place that was started because the owners felt the need to bring the community that was dying a slow death at thehands of technology, alive with the help of interactions, debates and the numerous small activities that kept society alive fordecades. Chavadi is a community culture cafe that serves amazing dishes with a side of art, culture and new zest for life. Theyopen up their space as a venue for workshops, events and debates.

They have also worked out their space in such a way that there’s something engaging going on in every corner. There’s their of Consent and Dissent’ where all the latest controversies from around the world are discussed and debated; theirWall,’ which showcases artworks by amateur artists; ’Story Wall,’ which is simply criss-cross patterns of threads with a story thathad been started on by the owners and is being continued by the customers; and ‘The Yellow Wall,’from their guests. If you are walking in alone, they have a small collection of books that you could borrow/ buy to keep youcompany. If you’re looking for some space to work, you’ll find that here too. And of course, our favourite is their ‘Wall Of GiftingJoy.’ where you can gift the next person coming in, with a potted plant.

HG Loves: While everyone else is working towards digitising the world, here is a place that is intent on saving life as we knew it.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 5/22

Image Source: The Pune Turtles

4. Ciclo Cafe

…India’s first ever ‘cycling cafe.’

Where: Chennai

If we’re honest, this is the cafe that sparked our interest in hunting for more uniquely conceptualised cafes in the first place. A firstof its kind for India, Cycling cafes are all the rage in Western parts of the world, especially Europe, given the population’s strongpenchant for cycling but considering the culture (there are a fair few recreational cycling clubs) is still very nascent in Chennai, it’sparticularly exciting to find such a quaint and beautiful cafe over here.

With decor fashioned from bicycle parts, an opportunity for cyclists to get their ‘vehicles’ washed while they sup on coffees orsnack and plenty of reading material on cycling culture, this cafe heralds the entrance of Tamil Nadu’s state capital into a new ageof experimentation.

HG Loves: That this cafe has the potential to inspire a more environmentally conscious population and encourage more people totake up cycling.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 6/22

Image courtesy – www.thehindu.com

4. Floating Restaurant

…snack while you float on the Veli lagoon

Where: Veli Village, Trivandrum (Kerala)

Located about 10 km away from Trivandrum city in Veli village is a quaint and scenic spot that is sandwiched between the Velilagoon and the Arabian Sea. Connected to the beach by a floating bridge, is a two-storied floating restaurant that is beingmanaged by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). They have a limited menu mostly including snacks that arepriced at extremely reasonable rates. However, more than the food, it is the view from here that is more likely to blow your mindaway!

HG Loves: There is a lot to do around the Veli village like boating and horse riding, after which you can sit in the restaurant andjust watch the sunset while sipping a hot cup of coffee.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 7/22

Image Source: Flickr

5. Hoppipola

…where you can draw on your table, and play with your food and drinks!

Where: Khar/ Todi Mills/ Powai, Mumbai

Located in Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai, Hoppipola is a place where you can drink and satisfy the child in you, all at the sametime. With tables that are actually chalkboards (where you can doodle away to your heart’s content) and drinks priced at extremelyaffordable rates, you are bound to keep returning to this place for a good time during your weekends. If you need an adrenalinerush to truly complete your day, they even hold chuggathons and beer pong competitions regularly. You can also sit back, sip onsome chilled beer, and play a game of Uno, Connect 4, Taboo or Jenga with you friends.

Hg Loves: Their adorable, playful and colourful settings and the “hoppi” vibe that just surrounds you from the minute you enter.And of course, JENGA!!!

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 8/22

Image Source: www.lettucereview.com

6. Leaping Windows

…India’s first comic books and graphic novels library-cum-cafe.

Where: Andheri, Mumbai

What started out as an online comic books library turned into a place that can satisfy both foodies and book lovers when the threepartners Utsa Shome, Bidisha Basu and Prathamesh Mickey Shenoy found a perfect split-level building in Yari Road. Inspired byJapanese manga cafes, this is the perfect place for graphic novel aficionados to bury themselves in graphics while sipping a cupof coffee.. The trio uses most of the money they earn from the business to add to their comic collection, making sure they alwayshave something new for their frequenters.

HG Loves: The combination of one of their chickenator sandwiches with a nice shake along with a great comic book isunbeatable.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 9/22

7. Mrs. Magpie

…a world of imagination filled with cupcakes and baked goodies.

Where: Lake Terrace Road, Kolkata

Do you remember dreaming of brightly coloured rooms filled with cute knick-knacks where all the tastiest cakes would be bakedand served to you? With Mrs. Magpie, your Enid Blyton-esque dream has officially come true. This is a place where you canescape into a world of fantasy while you nibble on their exquisitely detailed cakes and other savouries.

HG Loves: Their adorable doll’s house like settings and that their food is extremely kind to our pockets and tummy.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 10/22

Image Source: Bongrong

8. Pagdandi

…coffee, books and a good time, all at once.

Where: Baner, Pune

A small but cosy place that serves as both a mini-library and cafe, Padgandi was started up by a couple so that they could offer aquaint space for people to simply unqind. The cafe is set with chairs and comfortable mattresses where you can just sit and reador even play board games for as long as you want. Sip their hot chocolate with marshmallows or bite into their gooey brownies asyou explore the world your favourite authors take you through. They even host live acoustic jams, storytelling circles and openmic, amongst other events regularly, making it something of a regular haunt for the independent artist community.

HG Loves: That you can listen to live music (when they do host jams) while you curl up with your book and a mug of hotchocolate. What every bibliophile’s dreams are made of, basically.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 11/22

Image Source: www.solutionbaba.com

9. Rainforest Restaurant

…An amazon-themed restaurant in the heart of Chennai? Yes please.

Where: Adyar, Chennai

Ever wanted to eat in the middle of the Amazon jungle? Well, if you can’t take a trip all the way to Brazil for it, don’t feel too bad.You just have to take a trip to Chennai, fast becoming the concept cafe capital of the country, and have a meal at the Rainforestrestaurant, India’s (self-proclaimed) first themed restaurant. Designed in a way to give you the closest possible experience ofbeing in a jungle, the restaurant is complete with waterfall, mist animatronic robots of animals and insects that will surround you asyou devour their food.

HG Loves: We hear that their biryani is to die for. Also, the experience of eating Indian (they serve Chinese and Continental aswell) in the middle of a forest, might just be that weird experience you always wanted but never knew you could have.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 12/22

Image Courtesy – www.polkacafe.com

10. Saraya

…eco-friendly stay/cafe/art space, which is perfect for environmentalists in need of a vacation.

Where: Sangolda, Goa

When you find yourself feeling sick about the numerous high-rise building and vehicles that are emanating smoke and dirt allaround you, take a break from city life and head over to Goa. However, this time round, don’t go straight for the 5-star hotel with apool experience or the my-friends-got-a-place-like-nobody-else one either. Instead, embrace the life Saraya has to offer you andget a whole new Goa flavour your palate hasn’t experienced just yet. Constructed using local materials like mud and bambo,omaking special efforts to incorporate as much nature as possible, this place will take you back to the old way of life. All the food inthe cafe is made using greens from their organic kitchen garden. Plus They organise events like yoga, meditation, art exhibitions,live music, to name a few, to keep you occupied and intrigued.

HG Loves: Their ‘Go Green’ campaign, which has been conceptualised beautifully. It allows guests to engage in community-based interactions while still being amidst nature and tucking into fresh home-cooked meals.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 13/22

Image Source: www.backpackingbean.com

11. Seva Cafe

…where you don’t have to pay for what you eat.

Where: Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Seva Cafe is a place like no other with its quaint, open-air setting that allows you to enjoy the starry night as you dine here.However, this is not what sets this place apart. The people here have worked towards literally actualising the idea of ‘sharing iscaring’. All their meals are cooked and served to you by volunteers for free as they are a ‘gift’ to you by the previous visitor.

There are no price tags against any of their food items either. At the end of your meal, they will serve you with a colourful envelopewhere you can donate as you please, thereby continuing this circle. Their menu features five vegetarian items, which undergo achange every day. They also offer North Indian and Continental cuisines ranging from Chole Bhatura and Paneer Tikka, toGujarati food and chaat. Apart from all this humanitarian feeding work, they also house a small collection of books that you canread while you are there and they also open their space as a gallery for upcoming artists to showcase their work.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 14/22

HG Loves: Their one-of-kind sharing policy that allows all of its customers to share in the love.

Image Source: www.fortyredbangles.com

12. Social

…A co-working space that’s perfect for work, play, delicious meals, and everything in between.

Where: Colaba/Lower Parel, Mumbai

After storming up a success in Delhi and Bengaluru, Social decided to make its mark in Mumbai as well towards the end of 2014.Targeted at freelancers and creative heads, this chain cafe provides a place that is conducive to work and allows you to escapethe monotony of sitting in your cubicle. By paying just INR.5,OOO as your membership fees that can be redeemed through foodand drinks. Along with all this, they even provide ample space and high-speed WiFi to ensure that your work isn’t met with anyunnecessary interruptions. Considering it has outlets all over the country, any of which are worthy of a spot on this compilation, wenarrowed our favourite down to Mumbai’s Mill Area Social, for its impeccable interiors and incredible energy.

HG Loves: Well, how can you not love a place that makes working fun even while serving the jalapenos in town?

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 15/22

Image Source: Urban Eye

13. Taste of Darkness

…where you don’t see your food, you taste it.

Where: Hyderabad

‘Dialogue in the dark’ is a unique tripartite experiential tour that includes an exhibition tour, a meal and some workshops, whichwas started in order to educate the public about the condition of the differently-abled in India. ‘Taste of Darkness’ allows its visitorsto dine in complete darkness by serving their visitors a surprise four-course dinner–vegetarian or non-vegetarian, depending onthe customer’s preference. The waiters here are visually-impaired and have been trained by the National Association of the Blind(NAB) to not just take orders and serve the customers but also guide them in and out of the restaurant.

Hg Loves: Instead of just holding talks and meetings, they make you experience what it would be like if you were visually-challenged by making the visitors partake in simple activities, in complete darkness.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 16/22

Image Source: The Better India

15. The Hive

…a cultural hub of sorts

Where: Khar, Mumbai

A cafe-studio-collaboration space that hopes to promote amateur artists by providing them a platform. An informal space with arecording studio, performance area and co-working offices that allows freelancers and startups to work, and even maybe sit in forone of the many workshops and events they host ranging from open mic stand-up comedy acts to slam poetry competitions.

Hg Loves: If you are someone who won’t get distracted by really cool shows, their cafe is a great place to just chill and finish upwhatever work that you have been stuck with all week.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 17/22

Image Source: Facebook

16. The Yoga House

...a yoga centre/health store/macrobiotic cafe.

Where: Bandra, Mumbai

The idea started with two yoga enthusiasts, Maud Chuffart, Lamya Arsiwala, and Achal Mehra with the aim of providing itsmembers a better understanding of their body and mind. Throw in a yoga studio, health store and macrobiotic cafe into the mixand you get what fitness enthusiast Mumbaikars know as The Yoga House. It is the perfect place to be for all health consciouspeople, who wish to keep body, mind & soul at peace, all at once.

HG Loves: They offer not just a healthier life but an aura of calm and peace–A respite we all need from time to time.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 18/22

Image Source: Zomato

17.Tihar Food Court

…homely food cooked for you by criminals, with love

Where: Tihar Jail, Delhi

The Tihar food court is a rehabilitation effort that was started up by South-Asia’s largest prison complex, the Tihar jail, that housesover 13,000 inmates. Made up of a small staff of seven convicts and a constable manager, the vegetarian restaurant is stillawaiting approval from government officials to formally launch itself. Since the restaurant doesn’t have a fully functional kitchenyet, most of the food they serve now is from the prison canteen, that is also run by convicts. In order to be eligible to work in thefood court, the inmate has to have an unblemished record through at least 12 years of imprisonment and a minimum of a highschool education.

HG Loves: The social context. Life after prison is hard enough due to various reasons, including having to re-enter mainstreamsociety with the label of ‘criminal’ hanging over your head. This venture is yet another program aimed at making the prisonersready for the outside world by equipping them with experience and increasing the possibilities of a better life.

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 19/22

Tweet 49 6 StumbleUpon

Image Source: Zomato

Words: Krupa Joseph

[Have we missed out on a space/ cafe that deserves a mention on this list? Let us know in the comments section below and we'llbe happy to add it if it fits the bill.]

SHARE

COMMENTS24 comments

3.8kLike Share 21

24 Comments

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 20/22

Niharika Thakur · University of MumbaiBird song cafe, bandra is missing!!Like · Reply · 7 hrs

Prakhar Jain Shahbajaj · Global Leader at AIESEC MUMBAIRider's Cafe, Indore deserves a mention. So does a Cafe in Agra which is ran by Acid Attack Victims only.Like · Reply · Sep 27, 2015 10:26pm

Vikas Balram · Someone Important at The Awara ProjectPlease check Ride Inn, Manali...Biker themed cafe in an apple orchard. All the furniture in the cafe are made out of bike parts.Must visit.Like · Reply · Sep 27, 2015 6:29am

Meera Rajendran · IIFT, New DelhiKashi art cafe KochiLike · Reply · Aug 3, 2015 2:06pm

Rezvin Nazar · Works at BusinessDyu Art Cafe , Koramangala , bangalore...Like · Reply · Aug 3, 2015 2:00am

Mainak Bhattacharyya · Research Assistant at École normale supérieure de CachanIndian Coffee House, Kolkata... Think it is the oldest in the country..Like · Reply · Aug 2, 2015 1:29am

Pranali Pandya · Mount Royal Universitythis is just awesome! thanks a lot for posting this..u have been great help.

Like · Reply · 1 · Jul 31, 2015 10:55pm

Russell FernandesDrifters' Inn & Cafe at Old Manali Like · Reply · Jul 31, 2015 10:49am

Mago Hemant · Gurgaon, HaryanaHG needs to do their copywriting/correction properly.Pagdandi restt. in Pune is written as "Padgandi"......Huh??Nice....................Like · Reply · Jul 30, 2015 4:40pm

Kailash Ahuja · Maharashtra Institute of Technology"people cafe" - old manaliLike · Reply · Jul 30, 2015 4:42am

Add a comment...

Load 10 more comments

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 21/22

Posts in categoryALL IN CATEGORY NAVIGATE TASTEMAKER BIKES

Facebook Comments Plugin

Load 10 more comments

ROHANCHAKRAVARTY’SENVIRONMENTALCOMIC STRIPBOTH AMUSES &INFORMSA couple of months ago, AlJazeera published a scathing…

Read more ›

BIKESART & DESIGN

BANGALORE’SBRAIN MUSEUMIS ALL KINDS OFFASCINATING,PAY IT A VISIT.Parsi-styled brain cutlets,delicately seasoned Bhejafry at old Iranian joints like…

Read more ›

BIKESLIFESTYLE

10 UNIQUE &TASTY DISHES TOTRY DURINGRESTAURANTWEEK INDIA, INMUMBAIRestaurant Week India iscurrently underway in Mumbai,Delhi, Bengaluru,

Read more ›

LIFESTYLE

GOOGLE & JAPAN

BIKESCULTURE

9/29/2015 Homegrown

http://homegrown.co.in/around-india-through-17-of-its-most-unique-concept-cafes-pay-them-a-visit/ 22/22

Copyright © 2015 "Homegrown".

GOOGLE & JAPANARE ALL SET TOMODERNIZEINDIAN RAILWAYSIN MAJOR NEWWAYSThere’s been a lot of talk thisyear about the…

Read more ›

HOMEGROWN’SGUIDE TOMUMBAI’S BESTBURGERSIn India, juicy, delicious burgersare a lot like unicorns. You’re

Read more ›

LIFESTYLE

MEET 15ARTISANALCHEESEMAKERSFROM INDIA &THEIR DELICIOUSPRODUCERegular ol’ store-bought,processed cheese is a thing ofthe…

Read more ›

BIKESLIFESTYLE

MUMBAI TO GETSKYSCRAPERMADE OFRAINBOWCOLOUREDSHIPPINGCONTAINERSShenzhen-based architect firmCRG Architects has proposed aradical building

Read more ›

ARCHITECTURE

MUMBAI’S 14MOST UNIQUE ICECREAMS AREWHAT YOU NEEDRIGHT NOWLet’s call a spade a spade andthis so-called monsoon,…

Read more ›

BIKESLIFESTYLE