Just as certain traits become part of one’s personality, some places become part of a city’s identity. These places turn into rare gems that are unique to that particular city. Chandigarh is one such city that has a couple of these gems in the form of iconic cafes. While these cafes in Chandigarh could have expanded to other cities, it seems their owners were as in love with the city as Prinkle is!
So, let’s explore the iconic cafes in Chandigarh that you’ll only find in the beautiful city!
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Ovenfresh
Serving the same authentic taste of baked goods since 1995, Ovenfresh is certainly a favourite among city folks. This cafe holds a special place for Prinkle since 2010 as it has remained a hangout spot. Everything tastes just like it did in 1995, thanks to the standardised recipes put in place by the chefs. Nothing has changed here except for the interiors, which now reflect the signature red brick design seen in many iconic buildings in Chandigarh.
Prinkle’s favourites include the signature coleslaw and chips combo, the veg Club sandwich, Baked Penne Arrabiata, Fish N Chips, Chicken Parmesan, and their Chicken Tikka Sandwich. Pair them with the Ultimate Frappe or Lemon Iced Tea, and you’ll love every bit of it. When in the city, you must visit this cafe, and even if there is a wait time of 30-45 minutes, trust us, you won’t regret it!
Locations: Sector 35, Nexus Elante Mall and Sector 7
Also Read: Savouring Taste Of Tuscany In Chandigarh: Our Italian Lunch Experience At Caffe Tonino!
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Willow Cafe
Looking for a trip down the English countryside while in Chandigarh? Look no further than the iconic Willow Cafe. The cute, Victorian-style cafe offers a cozy spot to sip on your favorite cuppa while catching up with friends. You can even enjoy a family brunch or dinner thanks to the wide array of Indian and Continental dishes to satiate your inner gourmand. The comfy couches with pastel decor transport you to the British countryside, while the Indian treats provide the comfort of home.
What Prinkle loves about this cafe is its simplicity rooted in the comfort of good food. We recommend trying their Non-Veg Kathi Roll, Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala, Veg Club Sandwich, Penne Arrabiata, Chicken Khurchan with Butter Naan, Keema Pao, and Dal Makhni. If you’re just in for drinks, you can enjoy their toothsome smoothies and coffees!
Location: Sector 10
Also Read: Ketliwala Chandigarh Gives A New Meaning To Love For Tea And We Experienced It First Hand!
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Backpackers Cafe
If you love to travel, you won’t want to miss the Backpackers Cafe in Chandigarh. In line with its name, this cafe reflects a love for travel and backpacking, designed with elements that fully embody this theme. As a sister-concern of Willow Cafe, Backpackers Cafe offers a much more diverse menu for adventurous eaters. It’s the perfect spot for breakfast, with waffles and pancakes that are some of the best in the city. Pair them with a cup of espresso or cappuccino for a power-packed and delicious breakfast to kickstart your day.
For Prinkle, this cafe holds a special place, as many evenings have been spent here ideating and chatting with amazing travellers. We love their Masala Omelette, Tremetzini, Arancini, Chicken Tikka In Garlic Bread, The Hearty Veg Baguette, and Butter Chicken Burger. We usually pair these with Lemon Iced Tea or Coke, but sometimes enjoy them with yoghurt and fruit-based smoothies!
Location: Sector 9 and Sector 8
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Books N Brew
Comfort and casualness is what defines Books N Brew In Chandigarh, a book cafe that happens to be quite popular among the youth of the city. One of the oldest cafes in the city, this place is quite popular for book readings, painting and photography exhibits and evening jamming sessions of aspiring musicians. For those who love Punjabi music, they’ve seen this cafe in Akhil’s music video, Khaab and well, that certainly turned it into a crowd favourite.
What Prinkle adores about this quaint cafe is the casual and comfy vibe that almost reels you in to relax and just enjoy your time here. Always buzzing with young students from Panjab University or city’s colleges, Books N Brew is also pretty easy on the pocket. We love how they cater to students by serving something as simple as Maggi in various versions, French Fries and also, appeal to mature cafe goers with delicious treats like Home style chicken curry bowl, Noodles with Manchurian Bowl, Different variety of sandwiches, pastas and appetisers as well.
Location: Sector 16
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Hot Millions
Some places are known to shatter glass ceilings and offer people something they wouldn’t dare to try. Hot Millions in Chandigarh happens to be one of the pioneers in bringing American fast food to the city ages ago. Located in the heart of the city in Sector 17, this fast food cafe has been around for as long as anyone can remember. With multiple outlets in the city, this cafe had completely dominated the fast food scene in Chandigarh for the longest time and continues to remain relevant even today. A place for birthday get-togethers, family lunches, and dinners, Hot Millions was and has remained a favourite.
Prinkle loves almost every dish this cafe serves, and what we totally adore is the humble staff that continues to serve with a smile. From their Paneer Kathi roll with signature green chutney to their Chicken burger, every dish they serve tastes just as good as it did when it first opened up in Chandigarh. Their fountain beverages are still a thing that everyone loves. While the sad thing is that many of their outlets have shut down post the pandemic, the one that remains has become all the more special for city folks like Prinkle!
Location: Sector 17
While these are Prinkle’s favourites, we’d love for you to share yours in the comments. Go ahead and share your love for Cafes in Chandigarh, that are like no other place!