“Coffee and romance in India are intricately intertwined, each fueling the other in a timeless cycle…Today’s specialty coffee houses continue to expand what cafés represent: spaces for love, community, and self-expression in all their forms, with an appreciation for the coffee itself. In a rapidly changing India, cafés remain constant as places where connections are forged and where traditions and modernity coexist.”
In 2009, not a day went by that I wouldn’t spot a young couple, eyes locked, and lost in each other’s gaze while walking past my neighborhood Café Coffee Day (CCD) in South Delhi. It was as if the world around them ceased to exist. Fingers gently grazed across the table, brushing against each other’s hands, their connection blossoming over a colossal, sugar-laden concoction masquerading as coffee. This was a time before the likes of Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and the wave of upscale specialty coffee houses that redefined café culture in urban India.
Prior to CCD, the only choice young lovers had for a public rendezvous was to grab a cup of cutting chai at the roadside stall in broad daylight, under the ruthless Delhi sun. For those who preferred to keep an encounter casual and low pressure, it worked well. The chai stall also didn’t discriminate financially, with one cup priced at 10 INR in the early 2000s. However, the reality of love at the chai stall was far from romantic. There’s nothing sexy about sweating profusely in front of your romantic pursuit, having your every move scrutinized by the invasive passerby, or having to speak over the sounds of the chaotic traffic and bustle of the city.
However, as social norms relaxed and interactions between men and women became more casual, society demanded a more inclusive, indoor place for these socializations. Therefore, it was to the immense delight of blossoming couples that CCD, and similar cafes, redefined the idea of accessible and private spaces in the late 1990s. The gentle hum of an air-conditioned café stood in stark contrast to the clink of glass cups on a busy street; it was something new, different, and uniquely out of home.
“Coffee and romance in India are intricately intertwined, each fueling the other in a timeless cycle…Today’s specialty coffee houses continue to expand what cafés represent: spaces for love, community, and self-expression in all their forms, with an appreciation for the coffee itself. In a rapidly changing India, cafés remain constant as places where connections are
In the early 2000s, budding cafe culture marked a significant shift in how couples bonded, reflecting the evolving norms of urban Indian society. At a time when casual dating was often frowned upon and privacy for young couples was hard to come by, CCD offered a fresh and exciting space that bridged the gap between conservative expectations and modern aspirations. It wasn’t just about coffee. It was about creating a neutral, respectable, and casual environment where couples could share a plate of cheesy garlic bread or a decadent chocolate fantasy cake without raising eyebrows. For many, it symbolized a quiet rebellion against the rigidity of traditional family dynamics; a safe haven where young people could get to know each other in a way that felt contemporary, yet culturally appropriate. Affordable and accessible, cafes provided the perfect backdrop for love to blossom in a rapidly modernizing India, subtly reshaping how urban youth approached relationships.
The stolen moments on the CCD high tables were for everyone. Hot moms with their personal trainers, newly-weds sharing kisses by the windows, or high school kids experiencing their very first encounters with lust and love after school. Hidden away from the intrusive neighborhood aunties, with the air conditioning offering a soothing respite in the sweltering heat, CCD housed budding love for every age group and every type of neighborhood couple.
Along these lines, cafes were symbols of progress and cultural shifts in India. Following CCD’s initial social renaissance in the 2000s, cafes evolved beyond simple date venues into hubs of creativity and community, enabling connections that defy traditional constraints. For example, cafes played a significant role in queer community building and served as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ youth in India. Given the substance-free nature of a daytime coffee date, queer couples were given more options than having to escape into a dangerous night of drinking and partying as a means of bonding. They could claim spaces of their own in cities that rejected their existence, alongside a community of people that cultivated the same values.
“Coffee and romance in India are intricately intertwined, each fueling the other in a timeless cycle…Today’s specialty coffee houses continue to expand what cafés represent: spaces for love, community, and self-expression in all their forms, with an appreciation for the coffee itself. In a rapidly changing India, cafés remain constant as places where connections are
The CCD-era marked the early days of the cafe revolution, where most Indians didn’t know the difference between a latte or a vanilla frappuccino, let alone the more nuanced differences between manual brewing methods that are popular at cafes today. CCD’s success was due to its unique spacial characteristics, romantic atmosphere, community atmosphere, and a food and beverage menu that catered to Indian palates. However, as love was found over a choco fudge brownie in the shop corner and safe queer spaces were cultivated, coffee drinking in Northern India became normalized and began to challenge the prevailing dominance of chai as the beverage of choice for urban Indians.
This normalization of coffee drinking opened the door for Starbucks to enter the Indian market in 2012, 16 years after CCD opened its first cafe. This marked the beginning of the specialty coffee scene in the region. Not long after, a homegrown roastery and cafe known as Blue Tokai started gaining popularity, primarily offering single origin, high-quality Arabica blends from estates in Southern India. From vanilla frappuccinos at CCD to single-origin pour overs at Blue Tokai, coffee was decidedly garnering far more attention and respect in North India. Thus, the emergence of cosmopolitan café culture as a pervasive and defining element of urban public life encouraged coffee drinking as a cultural norm.
Coffee and romance in India are intricately intertwined, each fueling the other in a timeless cycle. Once a quiet refuge for young couples seeking privacy, cafés have grown into inclusive spaces that reflect the evolving norms of urban society. While the CCD of the 2000s may no longer hold the same charm, today’s specialty coffee houses continue to expand what cafés represent: spaces for love, community, and self-expression in all their forms, with an appreciation for the coffee itself. In a rapidly changing India, cafés remain constant as places where connections are forged and where traditions and modernity coexist.
Author’s Note: This work pertains to North India’s cafe culture and coffee evolution. Filter coffee drinking, known as Kaapi and popular in Southern India, has been a part of Southern culture since early colonial times, regardless of class or status.
Pallavi Sethi –
Pallavi Sethi is a New York -based coffee professional who graduated from Wellesley college (Class of 2022). Having grown up in Delhi, India, and spent time in coffee origin countries like Costa Rica, she shares stories that spotlight coffee production and producers.
Comments are closed.