A worker-cooperative relic on Mohan Singh Place rooftop, near Connaught Place. Turbaned waiters, filter coffee, cheap cutlets and dosas since the 1950s. Faded, smoky, gloriously un-fancy. About Rs 550 for two. Come for the atmosphere and history, not polish.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon-Sun: ~9:00 AM - 9:00 PM (hours vary) |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Rajiv Chowk Metro (Blue/Yellow Line), ~600 m walk |
| Time needed | 45-60 minutes over coffee |
| Best time to go | Mid-afternoon, when the terrace catches a breeze and the crowd thins |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.3/10- Value9.0
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.3
- excellence7.5
- Crowd level7.5
- Authenticity9.2
- Accessibility8.5
Frequently asked questions
- What should I order?
- The filter coffee is the point, plus veg cutlet, masala dosa, and a mutton omelette. It's canteen food, honest and cheap, not gourmet. Two people eat and drink well for around Rs 550.
- Is this the same as the Kerala ones?
- It's part of the same India Coffee Workers' Cooperative tradition, run by employees. The Delhi CP branch has its own decades-long following. Expect the same cheap coffee and time-warp feel found in the Kerala houses.
- How do I get there by metro?
- Rajiv Chowk is the closest station, about a 600 m walk through CP's outer circle to Baba Kharak Singh Marg. Patel Chowk on the Yellow Line is also walkable. It's dead central.
- Where exactly is it? I can't find it.
- It's on the 2nd-floor terrace of Mohan Singh Place on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, near CP. Take the lift or stairs up; it's not at street level. Many first-timers walk right past the building entrance.
- What are the timings?
- It generally opens mid-morning and runs into the evening, roughly 9 AM to 9 PM. Hours can be loose and it's busiest at lunch. Go mid-afternoon for a calmer table on the terrace.
- Is it good for solo travelers or reading?
- Excellent. It's a long-standing haunt for writers, students, and lone thinkers nursing coffee for an hour. Nobody rushes you. Bring a book and settle in on the terrace.
- Does it accept cards?
- Cash is safest here. Some payment via UPI may work, but this is an old-school canteen and card machines are unreliable. Carry small notes to avoid change hassles.
- Is it clean and comfortable?
- Be honest with yourself: it's old, worn, and basic, with plastic chairs and peeling paint. That's part of the charm for regulars. If you need polish and air-conditioning, this isn't your spot.
Nearby in Ask Delhi
- Gurudwara Bangla SahibAttraction0.47 km · 6 min walk
- Connaught PlaceNeighborhood0.68 km · 9 min walk
- Jantar MantarAttraction0.76 km · 10 min walk
- Saravana BhavanRestaurant0.77 km · 10 min walk
- Farzi CaféRestaurant1.17 km · 15 min walk
Where to stay near Indian Coffee House
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