New Delhi
The Imperial, built in the 1930s, resonates with bygone splendour. This bar is a more recent addition, but still riffs on the Raj. Here you can sip the…
Must-see nightlife in India
South Delhi
The real thing, this popular, atmospheric place with proper musos is a dim-lit speakeasy with some excellent live jazz performances.
Mumbai (Bombay)
Colaba is the best of the locations of the hip Social chain, which combines a restaurant/bar with a collaborative work space. The happening bar nails the…
Leh
Entered beside a 2000-year-old Dhyani Buddha stela, this tiny, traditional temple-like house was saved from demolition and immaculately restored in 2006…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
A mecca for hardcore java heads, this temple to the arabica bean has a multitude of gourmet-coffee combos, including espresso classics, quirky cold brews…
Panaji
The decor is a dark cosy English pub, the clientele young and up for a late party, and the novelty is the e-beer system. Each table has its own beer tap…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Mumbai's best speciality coffee is served in this tiny Third Wave coffeehouse in atmospheric Chium Village. Single-origin Indian estate coffee is roasted…
Mumbai (Bombay)
A California-trained Indian master brewer oversees the craft at this trendy new Andheri West taproom from Pune-based Independence Brewing Company. Nine of…
Mumbai (Bombay)
A highly sociable, down-to-earth local dive done up in a car-mechanic theme, where you can go in your dirty clothes, drink draught beer (₹200 a glass) and…
Jaipur
The latest coffee trends brew away in this showcase of Indian hipsterhood. Single-origin, espresso, French press, AeroPress, V60 pour over – you name it,…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
This terrific darshini (South Indian cafe) is famous for its filter coffee (₹16). There are only four food items on the menu: idli (fermented rice cakes),…
Shimla
Shimla's first brewpub is a large, hip, party space around a central bar-island serving its own trio of well-balanced German- and Belgian-inspired ales …
Arunachal Pradesh
A stunning find on the road to Tawang Gompa, this alpine-style wood-and-brick cafe brews proper cappuccino, a range of teas and delicious cakes (banana…
Delhi
Another hidden surprise in Champa Gali – the mini art enclave down Lane 3 behind the fake Dilli Haat store – this tea specialist has more than 180 herbs…
Jaipur
This famous, much-imitated institution is a simple place that whips up fabulous, creamy lassis in clay cups. They close when sold out – so get here early…
New Delhi
There's nowhere else like this in Connaught Place. You could forget you were in CP, in fact, with the big courtyard garden, wrought-iron chairs and tables…
Leh
Excellent coffee from a Faema machine served in an uncluttered pine interior that has a traditional Ladakhi-style seating area, simultaneously balancing…
Hyderabad
A highly popular, cavernous brewhouse with five tap beers, including an English ale and a stout, plus cider. There are several zones, all stylishly lit,…
Delhi
Found in a magically unexpected art enclave called Champa Gali, down a lane beside the fake Dilli Haat shopping centre ('Delhi Haat'), Blue Tokai is one…
Hyderabad
A stylish, sociable Belgium beer house that draws a refreshingly mixed-gender, mixed-age crowd. Try a 'beer platter' for a sample of four choice brews,…
South Delhi
This chilled-out restaurant-bar-club is a Hauz Khas hub, and has an urban warehouse-like interior with stone walls, high ceilings and huge plate-glass…
New Delhi
Is there anything more genteel than high tea at the Imperial? Sip tea from bone-china cups and pluck dainty sandwiches and cakes from tiered stands, while…
South Delhi
On the upper floors of a building in the exclusive area of the Defence Colony, this place has stylish, kooky decor in deep, earth-jewel colours, serious…
Visakhapatnam
Community cafe popular with a hip young Vizag crowd, with distant sea views from its terrace. There's fine coffee, including espresso options, and good…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
Quenching Chandni Chowk’s thirst for over a century now, this stalwart has a menu comprising just one item: homegrown fizzy lemonade that comes from a…
Himachal Pradesh
With lashings of dark wood and wrought iron, Infinitea's classy but welcoming bar is decorated with antique items from the tea estate which was founded in…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Serves fresh juices and milkshakes (₹50 to ₹400), mighty fine falooda and fruit salads. Strategically placed at the entrance to Haji Ali mosque, it’s a…
Hyderabad
Excellent neighbourhood cafe and creative hub that's a magnet for East Hyderabad's arty crew. Offers a fine selection of interesting coffees, teas, snacks…
Mangaluru (Mangalore)
The city's premier microbrewery is a big space with indoor and outdoor seating; the acoustic artists, indie bands and DJs create quite a vibe on weekend…
Jodhpur
Coffee drinkers will enjoy the precious beans and the care that is bestowed on them at the deliciously air-conditioned Cafe Sheesh Mahal. The beans are of…
Jodhpur
Just inside the southern gate of Sardar Market, this place is nothing fancy, but whips up the most superb creamy makhania lassis (filling, saffron…
Mysuru (Mysore)
One of the city's most attractive cafes, occupying an elegant villa in an upmarket corner of town. It's a relaxing spot for an espresso or a glass of wine…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
There's a continual buzz about this multistorey temple to craft beer, which always has a guest beer or two on the blackboard. You'll find plenty on the…
Haridwar
Don’t miss a creamy lassi at this Haridwar institution, famed for its ice-cold, best-you’ll-ever-have lassis served in tin cups (₹50). Just about anyone…
Varanasi
A tiny yoghurt shop with a big – and well-deserved – reputation for serving up Varanasi's freshest, creamiest, fruit-filled lassis for over 90 years.
Mumbai (Bombay)
The former space of Mumbai's first microbrewery has been revamped into a slick craft beer and cocktail destination under the direction of Indian beer…
Pune
Reserve a table in the outstanding beer garden at this industrially hip craft brewery – Pune's finest – and you'll swear you're in California. The eight…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Exposed brick and railing dominate the bilevel hipster hideaway inside a redeveloped cotton mill at Mathurdas Mills Compound. Forty wines by the glass,…
Jaipur
This cool bar-restaurant has an extensive drinks list and an Italian food menu (mains ₹360 to ₹420). The vivid blue theme of the romantic Orientalist…
Kalimpong
Cool cafe with a breezy terrace offering fine views over the hills and valleys to the west and north. It does good coffee, shakes and lemon mint coolers …
