Any coffee-lover would agree that a café is not just about providing quality coffee – it’s much more. The ambience, décor, theme, food, and the way it makes you feel rank equally higher. Over the last couple of decades, many cafes have tried creating nests or cozy corners for café-lovers around the country. While some have failed miserably, some others have managed to attract café-lovers like me from across the country.
A few years ago, I read this post about the upcoming café culture in Chandigarh and how businesses are bending their backs to offer an unforgettable café-experience to their patrons. Intrigued, I decided to pack a small backpack and head to Chandigarh for the weekend to explore its cozy cafes.
I mentioned to a colleague at work that my weekend plan was exploring Chandigarh’s cafes and she immediately said that she wanted to tag along. The word spread in my office and by the end of the day around 20 people were keen on joining me on my café-hopping weekend. As we sat discussing the logistics of the travel, I decided to book Savaari’s Delhi to Chandigarh tempo traveller service so that all of us could travel together in comfort with an experienced chauffeur. The next morning, we left Delhi at 6 am and reached Chandigarh by noon. While the travel time was merely 4 hours, we had to pick people up along the way.
On reaching Chandigarh, we checked in to a bungalow that we had rented from a friend and started our expedition – exploring the cafes in the city. Here are some café that we loved:
Whistling Duck
Where: SCO 10, Back Lane, Sector 26, Chandigarh
Why: Amazing design, creative décor, and an innovative menu.
Rustic Door
Where: SCF 12 SECTOR 10 D, Chandigarh, 160011
Why: Quirky interiors with wooden furniture, glass lights, mirrors, etc., warm lighting, and amazing Italian food.
Gusto Kitchen and Kaffe
Where: SCO 180, Inner Market, Sector 7 C, Chandigarh
Why: Flower bicycles at the entrance, beautiful wallpapers, breezy décor, and one of the best Spanish food in Chandigarh.
Willow Café
Where: Shop No. 01, Geri Route, Sector 10 D Chandigarh, 160010
Why: The perfect ‘English Café’ spread across three stories with an outdoor terrace garden seating. This place will remind you of the classic English Tea House.
Virgin Courtyard
Where: SCO 1A, Madhya Marg, Sector 7C, Chandigarh, 160007
Why: Amazing interiors – white brick walls with splashes of turquoise blue furnishings, fountains, and pebbled pathways. Good Italian food too.
I could go on and the list would cover at least 20 names. However, I will leave some exploration for you. By the end of the trip, we all had hundreds of Instagram-ready pictures and a rejuvenated spirit. As the weekend ended, some of us wanted to stay behind and explore more cafes. They also managed to take an additional day off. As for me, I had meetings to attend. So, I decided to book a dependable Chandigarh to Delhi one way taxi and get back to the grind. However, since that day, whenever I get a chance, I visit one of the cozy cafes in Chandigarh and treat my mind, body, and soul.
