8 MUST-VISIT CAFES IN PUNE
2025 is about the cafe scene— visiting cutesy, artistic, and aesthetic cafes.
My Instagram feed is a continuous list of new and old cafes with cute interiors, gorgeous ocean views, sprawling city views, open fields, and whatnot.
This year, instead of sending reels to each other, my sister and I decided to visit some cafes, and that’s how we began our tradition of visiting 1-2 cafes monthly.
So far, we’ve visited eleven cafes across Pune. However, only a select few made it onto my list of “Must-visit cafes in Pune”.
Here are the eateries that made it onto my must-visit cafes in Pune list.
- One 8 Commune
- Mocha
- The Sassy Spoon
- Pimlico
- Trooh
- Grandmama’s Cafe
- Balsam Cafe and Kitchen
- The Tiger Naan
P.S. This is not the final list. I’ll be adding new names as I go. So, stay tuned to know which other cafes make it onto the list.
This blog post comprises my reviews of each cafe and why I think they are a must-visit in Pune.
ONE 8 COMMUNE, PUNE
When I heard that Virat Kohli’s One 8 Commune had reopened in Pune, I had to visit.
I hadn’t been to the previous one, but after comparing the photos of the older one and having been to the new restaurant, I liked the latter.
The revamped One 8 Commune in Koregaon Park perfectly blends modern, stylish and elegant interiors. It boasts a welcoming atmosphere and a friendly vibe.
The staff was accommodating and attentive. Also, service was quick despite the large crowds.
One of the reasons One 8 Commune made it onto my list of must-visit cafes in Pune is the food.
The food was delectable and simply fantastic.
I had Virat Kohli’s favourite — the mushroom Googly dim sum. It was flavourful and juicy and my favourite item on their menu.
I recommend trying their chicken pizza. It was one of the best pizzas I’ve had at a cafe. The crust was soft and not hard like most thin-crust pizzas, and the chicken pieces were plenty and well-seasoned.
I also had their alio pasta and nachos. They were both good but not really for me.
I would also recommend their sushi platter. I didn’t try it, but it looked tasty.
PHOTO OP TIP:- The stairs leading to the terrace, the bar, the mural left of the entrance, Virat Kohli’s signature at the reception and the green couch alcove adjacent to the bar are great places for photos.
TIMINGS:- Open through Monday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
RATINGS:- 4½ / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (½ ⭐ because they have valet parking)
PRICE:- ₹₹
MOCHA, SALUNKI VIHAR
After seeing Mocha’s makeover, I had to visit.
The 2.0 version is a rooftop restaurant in a building complex in Salunki Vihar.
The new interiors are modern, elegant and trendy. Their interior seating is best for daytime, and the outdoor seating is best for evenings.
I visited Mocha on Mother’s Day, so I expected it to be busy. I called to reserve a table. They replied I didn’t need one. But when I arrived, the host told me I would need a reservation as it was busy. When I told him about the reservations, he seated us at a corner table. It was not a good seat.
The service was slow. It might be that our table was in the corner or it was busy and the weekend.
The sole reason Mocha made it onto my list was the food.
I had their peri-peri chicken wings, teriyaki chicken Bao, thin-crust chicken pizza, and the Baked Cream Cheese Kunafa.
My favourites were the teriyaki chicken Bao — the bun was soft and fluffy, and the tender chicken was sweet and spicy. The Kunafa was warm, and the sugar syrup added a slight sweetness.
I think I chose a busy day for my visit. But I’d like to give it another try.
PHOTO OP TIPS:- The terrace during golden hour, the seating under the straw lamp/chandelier, and the passage separating the two seating areas.
TIMINGS:- Mocha is open Monday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
RATINGS:- 3/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ( I deducted ½ ⭐ for the seating and another ½ ⭐ because they didn’t have valet facilities. The building’s parking was full. I had to drive around for 20 minutes before finding a spot within walking distance.)
PRICE:- ₹₹
THE SASSY SPOON, KOREGAON PARK
The Sassy Spoon was the first cafe I visited after my sister and I began our monthly cafe-hopping tradition.
Sassy Spoon is a crowd-favourite among Punekars. It’s only gotten popular with time.
The colourful, vibrant and cheerful interiors are welcoming. Pops of blue and pink make the place lively.
The cheerful vibe makes one feel relaxed. It reminds me of Sunday brunch with family or a girls’ luncheon.
Service is quick, and the staff is attentive and accommodating.
When we arrived, there were only a handful of guests. Since there were few people, my sister and I decided to do a quick photo op in the cafe.
Gratefully, the staff gave us free rein, from sitting at different tables, at the bar or moving things around. They even offered to take photos for us without us asking.
It’s small things like these that add to the experience.
Besides the quick service and cool interiors, the food is outstanding.
I tried their Margherita flatbread, vegetable tacos (I can’t recall the exact name), Chicken 65, salted caramel cheesecake and chocolate cake.
The flatbread was good, but I liked the tacos and the chicken 65 more. However, my favourites were the desserts.
PHOTO OP TIP:- The bar, the staircase, the book wall, the table under the pillar with colourful glass bottles and the van are great places for photos.
TIMINGS:- The Sassy Spoon is open daily from Monday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
RATINGS:- 3½ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (An additional ½ ⭐ for private parking space. However, finding a vacant spot on weekends is a matter of luck.)
PRICE:- ₹₹
PIMLICO, PUNE
Of all the cafes I’ve visited since starting my monthly cafe-hopping tradition, Pimlico has to be the second best (after One 8 Commune).
I didn’t have a chance to visit Pimlico before its renovations, but my sister did. According to her, the 2.0 version is better.
The interiors are elegant, sophisticated and classy. The wood decor, plants, and flower installation on the ceiling are exceptional. It’s like sitting in a secluded glasshouse.
The staff is well-trained and efficient. Despite the lunch rush, the service was quick.
Besides the lovely decor and service, the food is why I added Pimlico to my list of must-visit cafes in Pune.
I had their Farmhouse Pizza, the veg Lasagna, and Sweet and spicy chicken wings (I forgot the name of the dish).
The Veg Lasagna was cheesy, but I would have liked the non-veg one more. Their Farmhouse Pizza was superb. It was as good as the one I had at One 8 Commune. The chicken wings were awesome. I think they were honey-glazed, but I’m not too sure. They were tasty.
I wanted to try their desserts, but after all the cheesy goodness, I could eat no more. The desserts looked appealing, but I controlled myself.
However, if you try, let me know which you like best.
After visiting Pimlico, I realised why Pimlico is a favourite among Punekars.
PHOTO OP TIPS:- The doorframe that leads to the indoor seating, the bar, the entrance, and the corner table. Almost every table in the cafe is good for photos.
TIMINGS:- Pimlico is open from Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
RATINGS:- 4/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (If you’re wandering, yes they do have valet parking)
PRICE:- ₹₹₹
TROOH
I came across Trooh on Instagram. The glowing reviews and the photos online convinced me.
The videos I saw online described Trooh as a Bali-themed restaurant. However, to me, it resembled a desert theme. The colour scheme, the plants, and the wall patterns made me think of Egypt.
Maybe I am wrong, and the restaurant is Bali-themed. Well, it’s a matter of perspective.
The sandy-coloured shores are modern and trendy. It has a warm and welcoming vibe.
They have indoor and outdoor seating.
Their indoor seating is suitable for day and night, whereas the outdoor is best for evenings.
Besides lovely interiors, they have a well-mannered and polite staff. The service was quick, and the waiting staff was patient.
I wanted to take photos of the dishes for my blog. The server patiently waited until I was satisfied with my photos.
Another reason Trooh is on my list of must-visit cafes in Pune is the food.
I had their chicken tikka, a thin-crust pizza and the Karage chicken with sesame podi and chilli honey.
The chicken tikka was juicy and soft, but my favourite was the honey-glazed chicken with sesame seeds. The pizza was okayish, but their sushi looked appealing. Try that instead.
Lastly, don’t forget to try their Shahi Tukda sprinkled with frozen rose petals on top.
PHOTO OP TIPS:- The outdoor seating, the indoor seating, the indoor corner tables, the logo-mounted wall, the bar, staircases, and the outdoor bar.
TIMINGS:- Open on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Tuesdays and Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.; on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
RATINGS:- 4/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
PRICE:- ₹₹₹
GRANDMAMA’S CAFE
This cafe has been on my list since it reopened earlier this year. Every month, due to some circumstances, I had to postpone visiting Grandmama’s Cafe.
Last month, I finally got the opportunity to go there. And it was great.
The interiors are chic and artistic. The vibe is easygoing and pleasant.
My sisters and I wanted to be seated downstairs, but all the tables were occupied, and we were seated upstairs.
The upstairs seating has an entirely different vibe compared to the downstairs. While the latter appears as a cute cafe, the upstairs is like an expensive bar lounge. (Maybe it seemed that way because I visited at night).
The staff was helpful and offered suggestions when we were confused about ordering some dishes.
The best part about Grandmama’s Cafe was the food. Even if you’re not into cafes, you have to go to Grandmama’s Cafe for the food.
I had a variety of foods, and they were all good.
I had their Sriracha Paneer chilli, Mezze Platter, the Farmer’s pizza, and the chicken Lasagna. That’s not all, I couldn’t miss out on their renowned hot chocolate. It is thick and not overly sweet and full of chocolatey goodness. And to wrap up the amazing dinner, we ordered their Grandmama’s Grand Mykonos for dessert.
Based on the photos poster online, the dessert seemed small in size, so we ordered one to share. When the dessert arrived, it was three times the size that we expected.
We were already stuffed from all the delicious food, but somehow we polished off the dessert slowly and steadily.
TIMINGS:- Open daily from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
RATINGS:- Grandmama’s Cafe deserves 4½⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars.
PRICE:- ₹₹
BALSAM – CAFE AND KITCHEN
Balsam in Salunke Vihar is an elegantly modern and cosy cafe serving delicious food.
It is a great place for a family brunch, catching up with friends or your girl gang, or simply a sister’s day out.
Upon entering, you’re faced with the outdoor seating. There is an indoor seating area, that’s where I sat.
The indoor area has a billing counter, a display case of available desserts, and a couple of tables.
When I went to the washroom, I realised they have another seating area upstairs, but it wasn’t open to guests. I think they’re still decorating.
When we were upstairs, we took some photos. One of the staff was kind enough to switch on all the lights so we could have lighting for photos. It’s the small things like these that set cafes apart.
The staff are awesome, and assisted us in ordering some delicious appetisers. They even let us move chairs around for photos with a smile.
The food was good. My cousins and I had a variety of appetisers, a pizza and a cake. We had the Veg Balsam Tandoor thin crust pizza, blueberry cheesecake, Korean fried chicken, chicken popcorn, mushroom bites with Swiss sauce, and cheese chicken tarts.
The vibe is welcoming with a happy, friendly atmosphere.
TIMINGS:- Open from 12 p.m. (noon) to 11:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
RATINGS:- I would give the overall experience 3½⭐⭐⭐💫.
I deducted ½ star for lack of valet services. They also don’t have sufficient parking space for large vehicles. I was lucky to have arrived early and found a parking spot right outside the gate.
But other than that, I had a great time.
PRICE:- ₹₹
THE TIGER NAAN
I recently visited Tiger Naan and it definitely deserves to be included in the list of must-visit cafes in Pune.
I was there for dinner with my sister and cousin. We had the best time. The interiors are a perfect blend of Indian and Japanese styles. The outdoor seating had these painted lanterns and the indoor seating had Indian themed wallpaper. I especially loved their portraits on the wall. My favourite was the Mona Lisa dressed in Indian attire.
Besides the beautiful interiors, I loved the food. While I didn’t try their Japanese cuisine, I loved the Indian dishes. I’ll just have to return for their Japanese food. I had their Chettinad chicken ghee roast, yuzu chicken tikka for appetizers. The tiger naan, cheese garlic naan, and chicken tikka masala for mains. And for dessert, I had the Jalebi Tres Leche. It was delicious and the perfect end to a yummy and lovely dinner.
All things aside, the staff was accommodating, attentive and helpful. Our server was a lovely girl, who guided us in trying different foods. Unfortunately, I didn’t get her name.
Also, they had valet parking, which is a plus point when visiting cafes in KP.
RATINGS:- Overall, I had a lovely time. I’d rate the experience a solid 4⭐⭐⭐⭐.
TIMINGS:- The Tiger Naan is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
PRICE:- ₹₹
CONCLUSION
That brings us to the end of the list.
To conclude, my sister and I have been cafe-hopping for the last few months to compile a list of must-visit cafes in Pune. So, far I’ve visited eleven cafes, of which 8 made it onto my list. They are —
- One 8 Commune
- Mocha
- The Sassy Spoon
- Pimlico
- Trooh
- Grandmama’s Cafe
- Balsam Cafe and Kitchen
- The Tiger Naan
This is not the final list and I’ll be adding more names as I go. So, stay tuned.
Also, with the monsoons approaching, here’s a list of weekend gateways from Pune.
Hopefully, this was helpful. If you have any suggestions or queries, let me know in the comments.
