Best cafés in Bengaluru

15 people recommendvia r/IndiaCoffee, r/Bengaluru, r/bangalore

Nerlu is a specialty coffee cafe that people frequently recommend, especially the Indiranagar branch. Visitors praise the pour-overs and cortado, and note the cafe offers tasting flights of specialty coffees for manual brewing, with rotating weekly selections. The Indiranagar branch appears on lists of laptop-friendly and date spots, and one visitor to the HSR branch liked the ambience and found the staff friendly. No one reports a bad experience.

• RecommendsShares summer brews and a sandwich from Nerlu as the good part of the heat.

Indiranagar·Nerlu Cafe, 4019, 1st Main Rd, Paramahansa Yogananda Rd, Stage 2, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071, India

14 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/bangalore, r/Bengaluru, r/IndiaCoffee

Araku's Indiranagar branch is one of the most frequently recommended specialty coffee cafes in Bengaluru, often named alongside Blue Tokai and Third Wave, and a couple of people suggest it as a laptop-friendly option. One visitor praises the coffee, food, and atmosphere and calls the Caffè l'orange a go-to drink. Most mentions are brief recommendations, and one commenter finds it pricey with average coffee that is not worth it.

• RecommendsRecommends Araku for coffee and chilling, with Caffè l'orange as the go-to drink.
• CaveatPourover tasted flat and dead, lacking acidity, aroma and discernible notes.

Indiranagar·ARAKU Coffee, 968, 12th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Doopanahalli, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India

13 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/bangalore, r/Bengaluru, r/indiasocial

Third Wave Coffee draws a split response from locals. Fans praise specific items like the Vietnamese Shakerato, pour overs, flavoured coffees, banofee pie and almond croissant, and several branches are called good for working, with the Koramangala outlet described as aesthetic and the Chandra Layout one quiet. Others are unimpressed: one calls the coffee mid, another prefers local filter coffee spots, one found an Americano sour at the airport outlet, and purists are advised to look elsewhere. It is also seen as pricey and hyped for ambience, and it gets crowded on weekends.

• RecommendsReturns regularly and especially enjoys the signature filter coffee and banofee pie.
• CaveatBelieves Third Wave falls short of local Hatti Kaapi coffee.

Third Wave Coffee, 12th Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Appareddipalya, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India

11 people recommendvia r/IndiaCoffee, r/Bengaluru

Benki is a specialty coffee cafe in Jayanagar that people repeatedly recommend; one calls its pour-over coffee fantastic and another says nothing has topped it. It's a pick for those who enjoy coffee in its purest form, though one commenter notes it has no WiFi.

• RecommendsLists Benki Coffee as their Bangalore pick for specialty coffee.

Jayanagar·BENKI COFFEE, 335, 36th A Cross Rd, 4th Block, 5th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560041, India

11 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/Bengaluru, r/IndiaCoffee, r/indiasocial

Blue Tokai is a specialty coffee chain that people often name as a dependable pick; one calls it a safe choice that won't disappoint, and the flat white gets praise. It comes up repeatedly as a laptop-friendly work spot; one commenter notes WiFi and good coffee, though pricey. Not everyone is a fan: some call the coffee mid, one sees cafes like it as overpriced and hyped for ambience, and one longtime fan feels the chain is prioritising scale and commercialisation.

• RecommendsCalls Blue Tokai the pan-India safe house that never disappoints.
• CaveatCalls it a typical work cafe with mediocre coffee

Indiranagar·Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters | Indiranagar, Domlur, 24, 1st Main, 3rd Cross Road Defence Colony, Indiranagar, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071, India

9 people recommendvia r/IndiaCoffee, r/Bengaluru

TrueBrew in Indiranagar is a specialty coffee cafe that people consistently praise for exceptional manual brews and rare Gesha coffees. Visitors say they are guided through tasting and brewing, and one also loves the food. The Gesha beans are pricey.

• RecommendsPraises it as one of Bangalore's best cafes and roasters with great food and a wide global coffee selection; describes tasting a Geisha pour over in detail.

Indiranagar·TrueBrew Cafe & Restaurant, 3163, Paramahansa Yogananda Road, Double Road, 12th A Main Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India

8 people recommendvia r/bangalore, r/IndiaCoffee

A specialty coffee cafe in Indiranagar that people keep recommending, with a couple calling it among their favourite spots in Bengaluru. People praise the coffee quality and highlight the pour over, and one says it is among the best coffee they have tasted. It sits next to TrueBrew, and one visitor often ends up having coffee at both.

• RecommendsCounts Humble Bean among the places they enjoy most these days.

Indiranagar·HumbleBean Coffee & Pâtisserie, 3165, 60 Feet, 12th Cross Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/IndiaCoffee, r/Bengaluru

A specialty coffee cafe that people often name among Bengaluru's worthwhile coffee spots, with outlets including Jayanagar, Church Street, JP Nagar and MG Road. One suggests it for sitting and working or reading, and its beans are well regarded. A couple of recent visitors were let down by the in-cafe experience, finding the coffee hard to taste over strong aromas and the food underwhelming, and one suggests buying the beans rather than sitting in.

• RecommendsLists Caffeine Baar among Bangalore cafes worth trying.
• CaveatCafe visit underwhelming; too many aromas mask coffee notes, frozen cherry disappointing, food mediocre; suggests buying beans instead.

Jayanagar·Second floor, The Caffeine Baar Cafe & Roastery, 1424/81, S End A Cross Rd, KSRTC Layout, Jayanagara 9th Block, J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560041, India

7 people recommendvia r/Bengaluru, r/bangalore

Variar Bakery in Rajajinagar is a neighbourhood bakery locals recommend, with the veg puff and sponge cake singled out most often. One local says the veg puff is unbeatable and tastes the same as in childhood, while another calls the sponge cake the best ever. Views are largely positive, though one diner feels the cream cake has declined and another prefers a different bakery's veg puffs. One commenter also points to the original Variar and Sons behind ESI hospital.

• RecommendsSays it still tastes the same and its veg puff is unbeatable.
• MixedVeg puff tastes the same but the cream cake has completely deteriorated.

Rajajinagar·O.G. Variar and Sons, Variar Bakery, 68, 12th Main Road, 2nd Block Behind ESI Hospital, 231, 38th Cross Rd, opp. to Anjaneya Swamy Temple, 2nd Block, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560010, India

7 people recommendvia r/Bengaluru, r/IndiaCoffee, r/bangalore

A coffee cafe in JP Nagar that people often name among good Bengaluru cafes. One visitor says the food is really good and the coffee great, and a repeat visitor found the pour overs reliably good, which they say is rare in cafes. A mango matcha also gets a mention.

• RecommendsA firsthand visitor says the food is really good and the coffee is excellent at this JP Nagar cafe.

JP Nagar·Drip and Drop Coffee, 289, 15th Cross Rd, opp. to Rameshwaram Cafe, 5th Phase, J P Nagar Phase 5, J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078, India

7 people recommendvia r/bangalore, r/Bengaluru

Lavonne is a café people recommend, with several singling out its desserts. Commenters name it for tiramisu, brownies, and pancakes. One diner who has eaten there calls it pricey but worth the money for its distinctive taste, while another who had a bad experience is hesitant to splurge there again, though still open to trying the baked goods.

• RecommendsIncludes Lavonne among the spots they enjoy most these days.
• MixedHad a bad experience there and is hesitant to splurge there again.

Indiranagar·Lavonne Café, 263, 3rd Cross Rd, 2nd Stage, Defence Colony, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560071, India

7 people recommendvia r/IndiaCoffee, r/Bengaluru

A specialty coffee cafe in Jayanagar that people recommend, with one listing it among Bangalore's worthwhile cafes. It is considered a top spot for buying beans and is also suggested as a laptop-friendly spot.

• RecommendsLists Ground Up among Bangalore cafes worth naming.

Jayanagar·Ground Up Coffee & Roastery, 265, T Mariappa Rd, 6th Block, 1st Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560011, India

7 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/Bengaluru

Café Coffee Day is mostly recommended, with individual commenters singling out drinks such as the cafe frappe, Iceberg, Devil's Own and iced Ube, and one recommending it for nostalgia. A few have mixed feelings: one espresso drinker likes the spinach corn cheese sandwich but calls these cafes pricey, another suggests a cold coffee while noting that little is budget-friendly, and a third says quality depends on the barista. One warns coffee purists to stay away, and another calls the chain bland and predictable. One commenter says the Sadashivnagar branch is a nice spot to sit with a coffee.

• RecommendsSays their devil's coffee is good, though they can't recall the exact name.
• CaveatAdvises coffee purists to stay away.

Cafe Coffee Day - The Square, 23/2 Coffee Day Square, Vittal Mallya Rd, near Cubbon Park, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India

6 people recommendvia r/Bengaluru, r/bangalore, r/IndiaCoffee

Paper and Pie, most often mentioned for its Indiranagar branch, comes up again and again when people ask for cafés in Bengaluru. Visitors praise the ambience and cold brew, and one remote worker lists it among their finds for laptop sessions while noting cafes can get noisy. Another commenter calls it a place that knows its coffee.

• RecommendsSuggests it as a good cafe for working.
• MixedVery work friendly but can get a bit noisy

Indiranagar·Metro Pillar Number 55, Paper & Pie, 842/A, 100 Feet Rd, Indira Nagar 1st Stage, H Colony, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038, India

6 people recommendvia r/Bengaluru, r/bangalore

A breakfast spot in JP Nagar that locals often bring up when breakfast is the topic. One visitor says it's worth a visit for its versatile breakfast menu, including a Nutella and whipped cream waffle, and another praises the pasta, pancakes, French toast and mashed potatoes. It's also suggested as a place to work and relax.

• RecommendsSuggests it as a breakfast spot.

JP Nagar·688, 2nd Floor, 154 Breakfast Club - JP Nagar, 100 Feet Ring Rd, Jeevan Griha, 2nd Phase, J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078, India

6 people recommendvia r/bangalore, r/Bengaluru

An art cafe in Koramangala that several people mention positively, a couple of them for its vibe, with a good English breakfast and lunch noted. Dishes singled out include the key lime pie and cold coffee.

• RecommendsRecommends the key lime pie at Dyu Art Cafe.

Dyu Art Cafe, KHB MIG Colony, Dyu art cafe 23, 22, 1st Cross Rd, Koramangala 8th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560030, India

6 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/bangalore, r/Bengaluru

Smoor gets steady recommendations from people for its desserts, especially brownies and rich couverture chocolate shakes, with one cheesecake fan calling it a favorite spot. However, two commenters feel quality dropped after the pandemic, with one saying it has cheapened out, and another who once loved it now finds it only okay. One diner loves the hazelnut hot chocolate but says it is the only consistently good item.

• RecommendsSays it stole their heart on the first visit and still hasn't returned.
• CaveatLists Smoor among hyped places they dislike, saying its charm and taste are gone.

SMOOR Lounge - Indiranagar, 1131, 100 Feet Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India

6 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/IndiaCoffee

Kinya is a coffee-focused spot that people often name among Bengaluru's better indie cafes, with the JP Nagar branch mentioned most often and a Dollars Colony location also noted. One likes that it focuses on coffee rather than a sit-down retail experience, and another suggests the whiskey barrel coffee. The main caveat: two people say there is a lot of smoking there, which makes hanging out unpleasant.

• RecommendsAdds Kinya, JP Nagar to their list of favourite cafés.
• CaveatSays lots of smoking there makes it unpleasant despite others recommending it.

JP Nagar·Kinya Coffee, 132 ,Dollars Colony ,7th main, 16th Cross Rd, behind MK Ahmed Bazar, JP Nagar 4th Phase, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078, India

5 people recommendvia r/Bengaluru, r/IndiaCoffee

People recommend Maverick & Farmer, with one commenter including it among Bengaluru cafes that know their coffee and another finding it an interesting option. One diner who frequents the Church Street branch likes reading there in natural sunlight and says staff remember how they take their coffee. The food and the view of the football stadium also get a mention, and one commenter loves the Ulsoor branch.

• RecommendsLikes reading in natural sunlight there and staff remember their coffee preference.

Maverick & Farmer Coffee, 1 Sobha, St Mark's Rd, opposite Empire and, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/bangalore, r/Bengaluru

Glen's Bakehouse is a Bengaluru bakery-cafe that people recommend for desserts, croissants and weekend breakfast. Its cheesecakes get particular praise, with one fan ranking them among the city's best, though another found them surprisingly crumbly across outlets while still liking the cream cheese flavour. One says fans of fudgy brownies usually like its brownies, and its American-style weekend breakfast comes with house-made baked beans. One commenter finds the cookies disappointing.

• RecommendsDoes weekend breakfast, more American style, with their own baked beans.
• CaveatSays their cookies are not good.

Glens Bakehouse, 297, 100 Feet Rd, near Toit Pub, 2nd Stage, Indira Nagar II Stage, Stage 2, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038, India