Mumbai: There are cafes you visit for a quick cup of coffee, and then there are spaces that make you want to slow down, stay a little longer and understand what is in your cup. Bombay Island’s new Andheri outlet, set to launch on the 9th September, is designed to be the latter. It is a space that feels alive and inviting, with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the air, a quality and deeply aromatic brew to sip, a thoughtful menu to devour, and an aesthetic that feels as welcoming as it is considered.
Inspired by the seven islands that came together to form Bombay, every Bombay Island cafe is conceived as an interpretation of these islands. The Andheri outpost, Island 2.0: Transformation, draws inspiration from the roasting process itself, where green coffee beans are transformed through heat, time and technique into the aromatic beans that define every cup.
The Making of Bombay Island – From Curiosity to Craft
Rupal Jain’s journey into coffee began while studying to become a Chartered Accountant in Mumbai. Her fascination with cafe culture, coupled with her travels abroad, made her notice a gap in the city’s coffee landscape. Since coffee was, in her view, the foundation of every good cafe, Rupal decided to understand the craft herself. She trained with the Coffee Board of India before travelling to Singapore to study coffee roasting, sourcing and specialty coffee, while also learning under experienced coffee roaster Rob.
In 2018, she began Bombay Island as a roastery in Malad, developing its own blends and supplying freshly roasted coffee to cafes and restaurants across India, including Americano, Amichi, Boojee, Breve, Bokka, Pause, Everhome & Project Hum. The brand eventually moved into its own cafe experience with its first outlet at The Trees, Vikhroli, in 2021. Now, with its new Andheri outlet, Rupal is taking Bombay Island into its next phase while continuing to build on the expertise that has shaped the brand from the beginning.
A Thoughtful Spread of All-Day Favourites and Comforts
The food menu at Bombay Island is entirely vegetarian, designed to move effortlessly from breakfast and brunch to leisurely lunches and coffee breaks. The selection brings together wholesome bowls, sourdough toasts and sandwiches, alongside plenty of comforting options for an all-day dining experience.
Standouts include the Caprese Burrata Sandwich and Mediterranean Sandwich to the Hazelnut Butter Banana Sourdough and Beet Hummus & Feta Toast. Smoothie bowls and Superfood Salads are a part of their healthier options, while dishes such as Truffle Mushroom Tagliatelle, Sundried Tomato Hummus & Falafel bowl, Pomodoro Spaghetti bring a more indulgent touch to the menu. Sweet Potato Fries and Bombay Island Nachos round out the selection with easy, shareable bites.
The bakery brings an equally tempting selection to the table, with buttery croissants, freshly baked cookies, tea cakes and desserts designed to pair with a cup of coffee. The Honey Glazed Croissant offers a fragrant twist on the classic, while the Cinnamon Walnut Jaggery Cookie and Dark Chocolate Cookie bring familiar flavours with a Bombay Island touch. From their bestsellers – the Orange Almond tea cake (gluten free) and Banana Walnut Bread (vegan & gluten free), to the Bombay Island Tiramisu, cheesecakes and brownies, the dessert counter is made for those moments when coffee calls for something sweet on the side.
The Heart of Bombay Island: Its Coffee Programme
At the heart of Bombay Island’s offering is a coffee programme that brings together familiar classics and more inventive signatures. The hot signature selection includes the Maple Coconut Latte and Maple Cinnamon Latte, while the cold signatures take a more playful approach with the Black Sesame Latte, Mont Blanc, Tiramisu Cold Brew Each is designed to showcase the versatility of coffee while offering a distinct flavour profile beyond the traditional cup.
For those who prefer their coffee in its more classic form, the menu spans a considered selection of brewing styles, from hot black coffees such as Espresso, Americano and V60 Pour Over to milk-based favourites including Cappuccino, Flat White and Cortado. The cold coffee selection brings its own range of expressions, from the refreshing Iced Americano and Iced Pour Over to the more indulgent Iced Mocha, Hazelnut Cold Coffee and Cold Brew Classic, while the Vietnamese Cold Brew offers a richer, more distinctive take on the classic cold brew.
Beyond coffee, the beverage programme also extends into matchas such as the Cold Vanilla Matcha Latte and Dirty Matcha, alongside kombuchas, hot and cold chocolates, and their signature Souq cold brew tea. Together, the selection makes the café a space for both the coffee purist and the more curious drinker, with familiar brews sitting comfortably alongside unexpected flavour combinations.
The Andheri cafe will also introduce Bombay Island’s Coffee Omakase Experience where they provide a guided tasting experience of the best specialty coffees from India.