Puducherry (Pondicherry)
A quirky little semi-open-air rooftop bar/cafe lounge that's friendly, laid-back and sociable, and which does good cocktails (assuming the bartender hasn…
Must-see nightlife in India
Chennai (Madras)
India's favourite coffee shop has many branches around Chennai. This Egmore branch is small and more downmarket than others, but handy if you're visiting…
Manali
This ever-popular hole-in-the-wall cafe was Manali's first place for real barista coffee and still serves great macchiatos, hearty breakfasts, pancakes…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Popular among young professionals as a stop-go coffee spot, this alfresco cafeteria makes a robust espresso that hits the spot. There are a few good teas…
Guwahati
A central branch of this popular coffee chain, with red-and-black decor and reliably good lattes, macchiatos and frappés. Snacks and pastries too.
Jaipur
Stop by for snacks, drinks, and the current big game or match (on multiple screens, including a large projector screen). Happy your is 3pm to 7pm.
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
In the basement, this large bar has very low lighting and lacks atmosphere, but if you need a beer and cheer after a tough hike it might suffice.
Udaipur
Sink into plush sofas surrounded by huge mirrors, royal portraits and beautiful paintwork, or sit out by the pool and be served like a maharaja.
Gangtok
This couple-friendly, bamboo-walled perch offers fascinating views down onto the main bazaar street or across the city from a single rear table.
Chennai (Madras)
Good old Café Coffee Day does a range of decent hot and cold coffees and teas, and some tempting cakes, in comfy air-conditioned surroundings.
Palolem
Palolem's latest club/dance event is a day-into-night event, where disco and funk meet house and techno at the popular Neptune Point venue.
Lucknow
Our favourite Indian coffee chain – known as CCD by locals – sits in prime position at the start of MG Rd's upscale shopping district.
Himachal Pradesh
The most appealing feature of the business hotel Shobla Royale is sipping a drink in the bay-window view-seats of its low-key bar.
Sikkim
The main cafe often has blaring TV but head straight through for three shaded, balcony tables with fine mountain-valley views.
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
Quality fresh coffee. The location up a short lane overlooking the lake is vying for India’s best espresso with a view.
Darjeeling
Sit and sip a variety of teas from several local Goodricke estates before purchasing a package of your favourite leaves.
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Reliably good coffee, tea and cakes. There's another branch on Church Hill Rd.
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Dependably tasty coffee, tea and cakes. There's another branch on Garden Rd.
Orange Restaurant cum Lounge Bar
Arunachal Pradesh
This convivial bar beside ICICI bank comes alive in the evenings with chilled beer, loud music and TV.
Chennai (Madras)
This much-loved cafe chain is always decent for coffees, cakes and teas.
Manali
Upstairs overlooking the roundabout at the top of The Mall, Khyber is a fun place for a beer or fruit wine if you like the old-world 1970s-India vibe, and…
Darjeeling
It may be heresy to drink coffee in Darjeeling but if you need a hit, this reliable chain has a useful location at Chowrasta. The sunny terrace offers…
Kochi (Cochin)
The most casual and salubrious of Fort Cochin's beer parlours, the upstairs bar at XL attracts locals and travellers looking for a cold Kingfisher.
Uttarakhand
A popular modern cafe with a coffee machine and an excellent bookshop in the back.
Lucknow
Inside, this is a typical hotel bar, but it has the added attraction of a beer garden on a well-tended lawn.
