Kaffeine is seeking to consolidate its presence across Mumbai

If you have tasted the ‘SOBO Maggi and Chatpata Khichiya’ in Borivali, it is a given that you have been to Kaffeine, the celebrated multi-cuisine restaurant of the area. Now the brand wants to dream big and seek new and unexplored customer bases in Greater Mumbai. Since 2017, Kaffeine has been serving flavours and vibes to families and communities. Starting out as Varun Sonaiya’s passion project, the outlet has won over its loyal patrons with its exquisitely flavoured vegetarian and Jain cuisines. After six successful years, the original café closed its doors in December 2023, only to unveil the new Kaffeine in September 2024. “The new Kaffeine caters to families, children, and even pets, making it a truly inclusive destination for everyone,” says Sonaiya.
Kaffeine has always been at the forefront of community dining which puts a premium on healthy vegetarian meals. The restaurant is celebrated for its carefully curated menu, offering dishes that cater to a variety of preferences, including health-conscious options and customised meals. “I prioritise the use of fresh, hygienic ingredients and ensure that meals are prepared with minimal oil and are free from unnecessary additives,” says Sonaiya, who is also focused on creating an inviting space where groups of diners, such as friends, family or individuals with pets can forge connections over shared meals.
Innovation is a watchword for the brand since its inception. While designing a menu aligned with vegetarian and Jain traditions, Kaffeine has also played around with ingredients and techniques for a global spread with a local spin. You will find a varied range of coffees and ⁠Chatpata Khichiya sharing space on the menu while Smoked Dal Makhani join hands to entice the tastebuds of patrons. Seeing an opportunity for growth and having experienced success in Borivali, Sonaiya is planning to launch more outlets of his much-loved brand Kaffeine in Mumbai. “We plan to make it a sought-after multi-cuisine family restaurant name in the suburbs of Mumbai. In the next five years we plan on significantly expanding in Borivali and beyond,” he says.
Sonaiya has been an entrepreneur at heart, right from the beginning. A graduate in B.Sc. IT from Thakur College, Mumbai, he started out as an IT professional and then decided to strike out on his own in the F&B space. The young entrepreneur figured out early that the next leg of the Indian QSR market will be fuelled by Tier II and III cities where there is a significant young population, rising affluence and increasing exposure to international culinary trends.
Realising that the evolving customer behaviour in smaller cities is just ripe for the foray of good-quality restaurants, he is keen on expanding his footprint. To that end, Kaffeine’s menu, an ode to Sonaiya’s exploration of diverse cuisines and cultures, will be a huge hit. The restaurant’s offerings, which combine local tastes with inspiration drawn from his journeys, will cater to an audience that is waking up to global food sensibilities.
However, Sonaiya is clear that it is not mindless growth that drives him. He is passionate about combining his hospitality success with community-driven initiatives, such as a partnership with the ‘We Can, We Will’ foundation. “The restaurant contributes to education, provides food for those in need, and actively supports animal welfare by feeding stray cats and dogs. It also offers opportunities to trainees referred by the foundation,” he says.
It is this spirit of giving back to the community that underscores the Young Turk’s expansion plans, framing his journey into new markets with an eager and untapped customer base.