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Varanasi Restaurants

Open Hand

7 reviews | Write a review

Good for: coffee, Friendly atmosphere, muffins, clothes, atmosphere

Not good for: Little budgets

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Lonely Planet review for Open Hand

A cafe-cum-gift shop with fresh coffee and a range of cakes and snacks plus good-quality clothing and textiles at fixed prices.

 

Traveller reviews for Open Hand (7)

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    Good coffee, good food, give me a five !

    pierrep69 recommends this,

    A bit lost in the area of Assi, Open Hand is reserved to those who know that the best things in life often require efforts to be found. However, once inside, you will not want to leave anymore. The inside decoration is colorful, warm, peaceful ! I must confess it is the first time I've eaten in a cloth shop, but the experience was really sweet.
    The coffee you'll drink there are excellent, the food really worth the price, and the muffins will just feel guilty of ordering a third one in a row as exquisite as they are.
    In the end, even though the prices are a bit high, this is a very good place to eat, rest and simply be idle near Assi Ghât.

    Good for: atmosphere, food, service, coffee, Shopping, muffins

    Not good for: Little budgets

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    completed my trip to Varanasi

    rudischeepers recommends this,

    what a place! people, food, coffee, products, community work they're doing... all amazing!!
    if you go to Varanasi without popping into Open Hand, you have not been to Varanasi!

    Good for: anything you can eat

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    Be sure not to miss this little haven in Assi Ghat area!

    rikamarie recommends this,

    If you want to be spoiled with hot chocolate or excellent coffee, be sure not to miss this little haven in Assi Ghat area. Their banana muffins and cheesecake was my favourite! I also found handicraft items there that is quite unique and made by local physically handicapped women! What a find! The cleanest toilet ever with little WHITE towels!

    Good for: great atmosphere, Excellent service, Delicious food

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    Varanasi's best kept secret

    westraat recommends this,

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    The term "home away from home" get's a totally new meaning once you visited the Open Hand Shop in Varanasi. The cofee is great, the staff is helpfull, and always smiling, and the food is great. The manageress is a true delight and she makes all who visit the shop feel truly at home. The free wifi is a huge bonus, and the misting system on the bacony a true delight! Do not miss this best kept of all Varanasi's secrets...

    Good for: coffee, Friendly Staff, delightful atmosphere

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    Home away from home for the wi-fi loving coffee connoisseur

    sabiankahn recommends this,

    I was well surprised at this slice of heaven in Varanasi. Good coffee, free wifi, friendly staff, awesome gifts to take back home, at reasonable prices. Well it's definitely not a spot to miss for the weary traveler. The service is a bit slow, but once you get on the wi-fi or start browsing through the shop it becomes less of an issue. I was privileged to sit in the cool mist of the misting system on the balcony. What a pleasure in the Indian heat!

    All in all the staff, the manager, the food and the coffee make for a lovely little shop with a big heart. DON'T MISS OUT!

    Good for: coffee, cakes, gifts, clothes, Friendly atmosphere, wi-fi, muffins, quiches

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    A lovely experience to the weary traveler. Not to miss!

    louise7 recommends this,

    A peaceful oasis where you can have a lovely cuppa, something nice to eat and a warm smile. A friendly atmosphere and a good vibe where you can escape from the crowds and reload the batteries for the next excursion. A real home away from home. You can also buy lovely Indian art and crafts as well as beautiful clothes. Enjoy!!

    Good for: clothes, good food, good service, amazing food, Friendly atmosphere, wifi, arts and crafts

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    Friendly, original, and make the best coffee in the city

    rytyntolyn_lt recommends this,

    For sure, one usually does not come to Varanasi for a cup of a perfect cappuccino. Though if you'd miss one in the morning before a yet another dive into all the pleasures and chaos of the city, look no further. And it's not only because they are good baristas and their coffee is made from some secret blend right from Karnataka. Add the ever friendly and helpful staff, the cheerful manager Mrs. Rain, who's always around for a chat or a good advice, add wi-fi internet to contact the world outside in a comfort of a cozy cafe's interior with all those lovely handicrafts around, delicious fresh cakes, and you have a nice setup to start a busy day. Besides, these guys helped me out a lot in quite complicated logistical matter, spending time after their working hours without asking for any payment for that. I'm still grateful for that so much. I think, this is one of those places, where you find a bit of that genuine coziness of your own home after travelling for a long time. Definitely, a good place to come back again and again. Highly recommended.

    Good for: coffee, Friendly atmosphere, internet (wi-fi) connection

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