Photo Copyright: Helen Rimell 2009

Part café, part bakery, part gallery, the Kala Ghoda Café from the outset was conceived as an alternative to the chain-café experience for the Colaba / Fort / Churchgate triangle. It's designed as an informal, friendly, local meeting place; hence the choice of name, to reflect, support, and uplift the neighbourhood. It's set in an early 20th century barn - an intimate space in the heart of Mumbai's historic art district, with a vaulted wooden roof and two generous full-length skylights. Although a small space, the roof height is great, allowing for the original brick walls to be used as a photo display space. The gallery is blessed with ample light during the day, but is nonetheless kitted out with a sophisticated daylight balanced lighting system to view prints under optimum conditions.

On offer are a range of organic coffees, teas and infusions. We make our own blend of the finest certified organic, shade grown, south Indian arabica and robusta beans, selected for their spicy notes, bold-yet-smooth taste, and ability to produce persistent crema. All our coffees are sourced directly from plantations which engage in sustainable practices. The plants are grown in complete harmony with the surrounding forest, thereby maintaining the existing biodiversity and a rich self-supporting ecosystem. Locally sourced ingredients are a priority where available and we are constantly on the lookout for good organic food suppliers. For our decaf coffee, we choose Italian blends that can offer an acceptable body and crema. We bake all our breads at the shop itself and use certified organic non-GM wholegrain flour.

The café has been featured and reviewed by many publications including Condé Nast Traveller (UK Edition), CNNGo Mumbai (rated Best Café in Mumbai), numerous international InFlight magazines and also been recommended in Monocle Magazine's one-page guide to Mumbai, and is on the NY Times Style Guide to the city. Our own brand products have been included in Wallpaper* magazine's selection of products for their India issue (June 2011).

NEW: Breakfast is now served from 0900 to 1300. Kick start your day with a selection of eggs, muesli with fresh fruit yoghurt, waffles, fruit salads and juices. Freshly made sandwiches, salads and desserts are served throughout the day. We offer free WiFi (except between 1230 and 1530), and most tables are equipped with power sockets for your laptop.

The KGC likes to encourage alternative transport and to that effect the café has been fitted with two bicycle locking devices outside and we offer a free coffee to customers who cycle over and lock their bikes outside on a Sunday. Join the KGC facebook group and stay in touch for news and events.

Come and visit!

// Proprietor

Opening Hours: 0900 to 2345 daily