Is India’s next big lifestyle shift brewing in dessert and coffee space? Details inside
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Is India’s next big lifestyle shift brewing in dessert and coffee space? Details inside
Coffee is no longer merely a wake-up ritual, it’s a cultural statement. Indian consumers are embracing coffee as a daily indulgence, a professional companion, and even a health supplement. Demand for healthier, premium, and artisanal desserts is steadily growing, driven by millennials and Gen Z, who seek a balance between indulgence and wellness. The trend has gained particular momentum in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Gurugram, where cafe-hopping is now a lifestyle. According to recent food and beverage market insights, India’s cafe market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 9 per cent through 2028. The fusion of wellness and indulgence is likely to define the next phase of India’s cafe and dessert culture.
This evolution isn’t just about taste, it’s a reflection of changing lifestyles, aspirations, and priorities among India’s growing middle class and Gen Z consumers.
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Indiatoday spoke with Vidur Mayor, Founder & CEO, FES Cafe and Sumer Sethi, founder of Unify Foodworks to get more insights on the topic.
MORE THAN JUST A CAFFEINE KICK
Coffee is no longer merely a wake-up ritual. It’s a cultural statement. With global chains expanding andc indie roasteries mushrooming across metros, Indian consumers are embracing coffee as a daily indulgence, a professional companion, and even a health supplement.
Cold brews, nitro coffee, and plant-based milk options like oat and almond are now commonplace on menus. The trend has gained particular momentum in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Gurugram, where cafe-hopping is now a lifestyle.
DESSERT GETS A MAKEOVER
Simultaneously, the dessert space is undergoing a reinvention.On the other end of the spectrum, nostalgia and comfort have sparked renewed love for Indian sweets served with modern twists.
A swirl of creamy delight in every bite, just like Carvel. Made with care, served with a smile, and always finished with that signature swirl, it’s the simple joy that never goes out of style.
Restaurants and cloud kitchens are experimenting with fusion offerings like tiramisu with filter coffee, gulab jamun cheesecakes, or saffron-infused panna cotta.
RISE OF EXPERIENCE FIRST SPACES
Cafes and dessert bars are increasingly being designed as Instagrammable experiences. Interiors, music, and even the plating of desserts are crafted for social media.
This aesthetic appeal is drawing a younger audience who view cafes as workspaces, date spots, or mini-social hubs.
The result: lifestyle-led consumption. People aren’t just buying a coffee, they’re buying a moment, a mood, a story.
BACKED BY TRENDS, DRIVEN BY DATA
According to recent food and beverage market insights, India’s cafe market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 9 per cent through 2028. Premium coffee consumption is rising, especially in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.
Meanwhile, demand for healthier, premium, and artisanal desserts is steadily growing, driven by millennials and Gen Z, who seek a balance between indulgence and wellness.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The fusion of wellness and indulgence, authenticity and aesthetics, is likely to define the next phase of India’s cafe and dessert culture. With rising disposable incomes, better exposure to global trends, and a growing appetite for self-care-driven consumption, the space is primed for innovation.
Whether it’s adaptogenic lattes, mushroom coffee, or millet-based cakes, India’s next big lifestyle shift might just be brewing in a cup or plated on a marble counter.
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