Did you know that apart from the famous French Quarters of White Town, the one of a kind township of Auroville and the beautiful beaches of Pondicherry there is something else that Pondicherry is famous for? Yes, you guessed it right from the title of my post. It is the beautiful cafes in Pondicherry. And hopping through these cafes is quiet an experience. Alas we didn’t know about cafe hopping in Pondy when we visited Pondicherry the first time. So, this time around, it was high on my agenda.
The cafes in Pondicherry include several beach view cafes. And some of them which are the proud French cafes of Pondicherry are all the more famous. As you navigate the White Town in particular, you will discover several hidden cafes of Pondicherry. We didn’t technically hop through these cafes. But rather, on our recent 4 days trip to Pondicherry, we tried as many of these as possible. So, let us list here some of the best ones for you. Do try them out on your next trip to Pondicherry.
Cafe Zuka, Promenade, Pondicherry
A small cafe tucked in the corner of a shopping center right on the Promenade in Pondicherry. Cafe Zuka was quiet a discovery. When we were roaming around for a suitable breakfast place. And finding most of the other famous breakfast cafes crowded, we headed here. It is empty in the morning. So, we had one of the most delicious breakfast here, with the whole cafe to ourselves.
They have some nice sandwiches, ice tea, coffees – both hot and cold, croissants, cakes, pastries and ice creams which they claim as authentic Italian Gelatos.
Opening time : 9:00am to 9:00pm
Cost : $$$
Le Cafe Pondy
If you feel hungry at odd hours, even if in the middle of the night, worry not. For Le Cafe is one French Cafe in Pondicherry that is open all through the day – 24/7. Located right on the Promenade, Le Cafe is budget friendly and accessible round the clock. Also, it is one of the oldest cafes of White Town, right on the rock beach. Do give it a shot when hopping through the cafes in Pondicherry. Also, the cafe is right across the Promenade Beach – one of the best beaches of Pondicherry. So, you can enjoy a view of the sea while you have your meals here.
Opening time : 24/7 open
Cost : $$
Cafe Des Arts Pondicherry
One of the best cafes in Pondicherry for sure. Cafe Des Arts has a beautiful ambiance. And an equally mouth watering menu. Which consists of some original French cuisines. The 500 metre long queue in front of the cafe that we saw, to have breakfast here, even before the cafe was open, is enough to describe the craze of this cafe. But guess we are out of that “crazy” phase in life. And just prefer a rush free, peaceful place to have our meals. So, we decided not to stand in that queue. And rather headed to Cafe Zuka. But if we find the cafe uncrowded on any further trip to Pondicherry, we will definitely want to try it out.
Opening time: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Cost : $$
Coromandel Cafe Puducherry
Another one of the most famous cafes in Pondicherry, Coromandel Cafe is also located in White Town. It has a limited menu when compared to it’s counterparts. But it’s ambiance is other worldly. In fact, different sections of the cafe are decorated differently. And there are secluded rooms where a family or group of friends can enjoy their meals exclusively, without bothering about rest of the crowd. Again, very crowded and very famous. Do try at least one meal at Coromandel Cafe when in Pondicherry.
Opening time: 8:30am to 10:30pm
Cost : $$$$
Indian Kaffee Express Pondicherry
The next most famous breakfast place in White Town Pondicherry after Cafe Des Arts probably. We did attempt to have one of our meals here but the cafe was crowded. What we didn’t like though was the attitude of the owner. He asked us very bluntly to come again some other time. Of course the cafe was full and we understand. But there are other ways of expressing the same than being rude with your customer! So, no, not somewhere we would visit again, however famous it might be.
Opening time: 7:30am to 9:00pm
Cost : $$
Bread & Chocolate Pondicherry
We didn’t exactly try the Bread & Chocolate cafe in White Town Pondicherry. But, we did have lunch at the Bread & Chocolate Cafe in Auroville. And the food was really delicious. In our group of total 9 people including kids, we ordered a lot of varied items. We had scrambled egg and toast sandwich, mushroom sandwich, cheese sandwich, banana and peanut butter over a baguette bread, iced tea, sweet lime soda and a hot chocolate. What I missed trying was their croissants. Because they were already over by lunch time. So, a coffee with croissant typical french breakfast is still due for me. Nevertheless, had a wonderful experience and will definitely recommend this place while cafe hopping in Pondicherry.
Opening time: 8:00am to 9:00pm
Cost : $$$
Villa Shanti Puducherry
A food lovers paradise – that is the punchline of Villa Shanti. Tucked in a heritage house in White Town, it definitely has one of the most quirky ambiances. And mouth watering delicacies that you can enjoy. Although not a breakfast place as it opens up late. It is a perfect place for that one lunch or dinner while in Pondicherry.
Opening time: 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Cost : $$$$
Rendezvous cafe Pondicherry
This one is well known as a hangout place for bigger groups. Rendezvous Cafe can be an experience in itself. Try securing a place here for dinner. It has a mix of both Indian and French recipes on it’s menu. And it is a real delight to spend an evening here because of the vibe of the place, apart from the food.
Opening time: 12:00pm to 3:30pm and 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Cost : $$$$
Apart from these famous ones, there are several other small cafes and cute restaurants at each and every street and corner of White Town Pondicherry. So, do try some random ones out. If the above ones are too crowded or out of your budget. Apart from these cafes, there are several restaurants and Indian food outlets, street food outlets that you can try. Try the sea food recipes, waffles, burgers and fries, gelatos and brownies when in Pondicherry. Some of the hotels just outside of White Town have in house restaurants. And they have the standard Indian and Indo – Chinese recipes on the menu along with milkshakes, fruit juices and fresh lime soda. Some of the hotels that we have tried include Hotel Surguru Pondicherry, Hotel Atithi and Anandha Inn Hotel and Convention Center. Hotel Surguru has several chains in the town and it is particularly famous for it’s south Indian delicacies.
So, what are you waiting for? Have a wonderful cuisine experience the next time you head to Pondicherry!! And let me know how it went for you.
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