An inside look at Mumbai’s growing coffee scene + 5 must-try cafés.
BY URVASHI ROE
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photos courtesy of Urvashi Roe
Once upon a time, Mumbai, India, was dominated by chai stalls and filter coffee—but today, the city’s specialty-coffee landscape has exploded into something vibrant, experimental, and deeply rooted in Indian flavor narratives.
Across the sprawling city, specialty cafés aren’t just places to grab a quick caffeine hit: They’re community hubs and creative playgrounds for baristas and drinkers alike. Boutique spots and pop-ups are championing everything from Indian single-origin pourovers to playful espresso-based drinks and coffee cocktails.
While the Mumbai coffee scene is vast, we’ve compiled a short list of must-visit locations.
Grey Soul Coffee
Behind Grey Soul Coffee’s relaxed, modern, and somewhat stark facade lies an in-house roastery, a dedicated slow bar, and a warm, welcoming team.
At Grey Soul, there is a serious focus on coffee education with menus outlining the procurement and roasting process in detail, bringing you closer to the brand while leaving you wanting to try every blend and brew. Every drink is presented with the coffee’s origin, tasting notes, and roast profile: a reflection of the café-roastery’s commitment to coffee quality and traceability.
Grey Soul’s menu highlights single-origin Indian beans from Chikmagalur, Coorg, Yercaud, and, perhaps most interestingly, Nagaland: a mountainous region of northeast India. Choose the espresso bar if you want a classic, well-balanced cup, or head to the slow bar for hand-brewed delights via Chemex, V60, or Aeropress. I opted for a sea salt flat white upstairs as I took in the sights and sounds of the surrounding Bandra area waking up.
Grey Soul exemplifies Mumbai’s shift toward celebrating Indian coffees with experimental roasting and manual brewing methods, appealing to both connoisseurs and newcomers. Come curious.
Boojee
Boojee’s charm lies in its hybrid identity. Simultaneously a neighborhood café, creative roastery, and a solid brunch destination, Boojee is known for its relaxed interiors and knowledgeable, welcoming staff. Their menu marries fantastic specialty coffee options with notable food and pastry offerings.
The espresso options, including a great Colombian decaf, give you the classics as well as some fun options like the Espresso Chai Latte—no syrups here because this is India, after all. Instead, you’ll get a double espresso with fresh cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, jaggery (raw cane sugar), and milk.
Apart from the Espresso Chai Latte, my personal favorites at Boojee were the Jaggery Cortado and Coconut Cold Brew.
The selection of coffee beans at Boojee includes varieties from Ratnagiri, Salawara, and Baarbara—the latter a grape-fermented blend. The café also sells brewing gear and bags of coffee beans for anyone interested in brewing at home.
Boojee reflects Mumbai’s shift toward a relaxed, sociable, and less dogmatic specialty coffee culture. Come for breakfast or, really, anytime of day.
Subko Coffee Roasters
Since its launch, Subko has quickly become one of Mumbai’s most talked-about names in specialty coffee. Born during the 2020 COVID lockdown in Bandra, Subko now spans several outposts including a bespoke cacao mill space in Colaba. Their ethos centers on direct trade relationships with estates and smallholder farmers, producing coffees that are often experimentally processed and meticulously curated into SCA 85+ point cups.
Subko’s menu ranges from flawlessly executed espressos and cold brews to inventive seasonal creations. I chose the Coco Nolen Gur Flat White, made with espresso, Bengali jaggery, and coconut milk, and served in a coconut-rimmed glass. Here, you’ll also find Subko floats and tonics: cold brews topped with house-made soda or tonic water.
Subko stands at the crossroads of specialty coffee and creative craftsmanship. The Mary Lodge location is a must-visit for coffee drinkers who want quality with personality in a beautifully restored bungalow. Come for the coffee and stay for pizza, chocolate, and new friends.
Nandan Coffee
On a little lane between the fashionable Kala Ghoda arts district and Flora Fountain, Nandan Coffee offers a heritage-steeped take on specialty coffee. The café showcases single-estate coffee beans sourced from the brand’s own Nandanvan Estate, located at 4,500 feet above sea level in the lush valleys of Kodaikanal in South India.
Nandan’s menu leans into classics done exceptionally well via the army of baristas on site. But what’s especially unique here is the invitation to “craft your own” coffee blend, where customers can pick a light, medium, or dark roast followed by a base of Arabica, Hawaiian Red Cattura, or Robusta, and, finally, add complexity via floral accents, nuts, or caramel—a creative way to educate customers about their coffee and get them more engaged in the coffee-making process.
If you’re looking for simple yet high-quality coffee, Nandan will be your go-to spot: no frills, just beautifully sourced and expertly brewed beans. Come for the consistency.
Araku Coffee
More than a café, Araku in Colaba embodies a true “seed-to-cup” philosophy grounded in regenerative agriculture. Their beans come from the Eastern Ghats and are noted for their clean profiles and ethical provenance.
At Araku’s Colaba location, the coffee bar integrates a Modbar system for precise extraction and consistency. The menu offers options for “seriously” araku (high-quality, espresso-based beverages), “playful” araku (creative signature drinks), or “simply” araku (black coffee brewed via your method of choice).
I opted for the “playful” Black Forest beverage: espresso with chocolate, berry syrup, and steamed milk—perfect for an afternoon lift. I also experimented with their coffee cocktail menu, choosing the refreshing Barley Highball: vodka infused with whole beans, barley, and hibiscus, and topped with soda.
Beyond coffee, Araku’s offers a vast all-day food menu featuring locally inspired dishes and sustainably sourced ingredients. Overall, Araku beautifully merges ethical sourcing, education, and specialty coffee-brewing into a holistic model for conscious coffee culture. Come for the creativity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Urvashi Roe is a food and travel writer based in London and author of Biting Biting, Snacking Gujarati Style. She has a hearty appetite for travel stories that unfold through food and is particularly interested in exploring food cultures and customs. Having run her own coffee shop in London, she’s always on the hunt for a good coffee story and a medium roast flat white. Find her on Instagram and at www.urvashiroe.com.
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