8 cafes worth the trip across India, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All India guides.
Kyani and Co ★ 4.8 · Mumbai
marine-lines · 657 Jer Mahal Estate, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Marine Lines, Mumbai 400002
Kyani and Co opened in 1904, making it Mumbai's oldest Irani cafe. Bun maska, brun maska, mawa cake and the sweet milky chai have not changed in a century.
Tip: Mornings until 11:00 are the best time; the cafe fills with regulars by lunch.
Subko Specialty Coffee Roasters and Craft Bakehouse ★ 4.7 · Mumbai
bandra-west · Ground Floor, Mary Lodge, 21A Chapel Road, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
Subko's Bandra flagship roasts and bakes in-house off Chapel Road. The Bibasaha Bana single-origin espresso program is Subko's calling card; the croissants.
Tip: The bean retail counter holds the freshest single-origins; ask the barista for what just landed.
Cafe Madras ★ 4.6 · Mumbai
matunga · Kamakshi Building, 391/B Bhaudaji Road, Matunga East, Mumbai 400019
Cafe Madras at Kings Circle has poured South Indian filter coffee since 1940. The idli is steamed in cotton batter; the masala dosa is the benchmark.
Tip: Closed Monday; weekend mornings queue from 07:00. Cash and card both accepted.
Sassanian Boulangerie ★ 4.5 · Mumbai
marine-lines · 98 Marine View, 1st Marine Street, Dhobi Talao, Mumbai 400002
Mr Rustom K Yazdabadi opened Sassanian on 1st Marine Street in 1913. The bakery oven has stayed lit ever since; bun maska, brun, fried egg pav, mawa cake.
Tip: Breakfast prices are still 1980s low; cash works easiest. Cash and card both accepted.
Blue Tokai One World Center ★ 4.3 · Mumbai
lower-parel · Tower 1C Atrium, One World Center, Elphinstone, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400013
Blue Tokai's One World Center cafe pours and sells the Mumbai outpost of India's largest specialty roaster. Espresso, pour-over and whole-bean retail.
Tip: The bean wall has a daily-roast list; buy 250g of a recent roast for home.
Yazdani Bakery ★ 4.2 · Mumbai
fort · Ground Floor, Fountain Akbar Ally, St Thomas Cathedral, Fort, Mumbai 400001
Yazdani Bakery has fired bread and brun in a small Fort alley off Akbar Ally for over six decades. Brun maska with chai is the canonical order.
Tip: Closed Sundays; the bread runs out by 14:00 most days. Cash and card both accepted.
Cafe Mondegar ★ 4.1 · Mumbai
colaba · 5A Metro House, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Near Regal Cinema, Colaba, Mumbai 400039
Cafe Mondegar opened in 1932 on Colaba Causeway. The Mario Miranda murals on opposite walls (1990s) are the room's signature; jukebox still plays.
Tip: The Wurlitzer jukebox accepts coins; bring change. Cash and card both accepted.
Blue Tokai Bandra ★ 4.0 · Mumbai
bandra-west · Shop 1, Plot 17, 32nd Road, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
Blue Tokai's Bandra cafe on 32nd Road is a Pali Hill working-day mainstay. Single-origin espresso, cold brew on tap. Editor's TableJourney pick.
Tip: The 32nd Road cafe has outdoor seats; arrive before 10:00 to claim one.