Café
Kyani & Co.
Around 120 years old and described as Mumbai's oldest operating Irani cafe, serving bun maska, Irani chai, keema pav and cherry custard near Marine Lines.
Subko Coffee Roasters
A specialty coffee roaster and craft bakehouse in a restored 1925 bungalow on Chapel Road in Bandra, serving small-batch Indian coffee and inventive milk drinks.
At a glance
- Type
- Specialty coffee and bakehouse
- Area
- Bandra West, Mumbai, India
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
Good to know
- Bakery
- Specialty coffee
Why we recommend it
Subko is one of the names most associated with Mumbai's specialty coffee scene, and its flagship occupies a restored 1925 bungalow on Chapel Road in Ranwar, Bandra West. The company was among the first to bring specialty coffee culture to the city, and it has since grown to include The Craftery, a roastery and bakery in Byculla, and more than a dozen smaller Subko Mini outlets across Mumbai.
The coffee is roasted in small batches, with roasts overseen by Q-graders. Beans come from estates across India and neighbouring countries, so it is a good place to discover how varied Indian coffee can be. Alongside straightforward espresso drinks and filter brews, the menu includes inventive milk drinks such as a banoffee pie flat white and the Subko Float. The craft bakehouse turns out a seasonal menu of breads and pastries, which makes the cafe a good choice for breakfast as well as an afternoon break.
The bungalow setting is part of the appeal. It gives the cafe a calm, residential feel that contrasts with the busy roads of Bandra, and the surrounding lanes are pleasant to explore on foot. The cafe suits coffee enthusiasts, solo travellers and anyone looking for a comfortable place to start the day in the suburbs.
The flagship opens daily from early morning until late evening, so it works at almost any time. Weekend mornings tend to be busy, while weekday afternoons are calmer. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, longer if you want to try more than one brew. If you are unsure what to order, ask the baristas to recommend a coffee from the current list of origins; they can explain the flavour of each and suggest how it is best brewed. Prices are higher than at a traditional Irani cafe, in line with specialty coffee shops in other big cities.
Chapel Road is in Bandra West, a suburb with a strong cafe and bar scene of its own. From here it is a short taxi ride to Bombay Daak for drinks in the evening and to the Bandra Kurla Complex for dinner at O Pedro. Taxis are the easiest way to reach Bandra from South Mumbai.
Subko Coffee Roasters FAQs
Where is Subko's flagship cafe?
In a restored 1925 bungalow at 21A Chapel Road, Ranwar, Bandra West.
What is Subko known for?
Small-batch roasted specialty coffee and a craft bakehouse.
Where do the beans come from?
From estates across India and neighbouring countries.
What should you order?
A pour-over or espresso, or an inventive milk drink such as the banoffee pie flat white.
Is it open every day?
Yes, the flagship opens daily from early morning to late evening.
Is there food?
Yes. The bakehouse offers a seasonal menu of breads and pastries.
Are there other branches?
Yes, including The Craftery in Byculla and more than a dozen Subko Minis.
What is nearby?
The lanes of Ranwar and the cafes and bars of Bandra West.