There are cafes, and then there are cafes. Drift falls into the latter category. It may appear to be a small café tucked away at the end of another restaurant, but the variety of coffee they offer is truly impressive. Not just coffee—Drift also boasts more than 12 varieties of tea, making it a haven for beverage enthusiasts.
The coffees here are curated by Prashant and presented by Rahil, while the cocktails have been crafted by Varun. Coffees, teas, and cocktails all vie for your attention, yet the cold brews stand out as the café’s unique selling point (USP). Using a medium-dark roast, the team brews their coffee for nearly 22 to 23 hours. I tasted a shot of their cold brew, and the dark chocolate notes became more prominent after a bite of the mini chocolate cookie they serve alongside.
Prashant and Rahil have creatively used cold brew in a variety of tasteful ways. One highlight is the Orange Brew—knowing orange is Prashant’s muse, this brew is made over 18 hours and then infused with orange peels and pieces for an additional four hours to perfect the essence.
### Food Recommendations
Chef Sumit Savardekar suggests starting with the Lentil & Millet Salad followed by the Cucumber & Chicken Salad. The fruity Orange Brew pairs perfectly with the lentil salad, which features barley, ragi, pomegranate, and is dressed with polenta croutons, adding a delightful crunch. The accompanying sourdough bread slice is house-baked and delicious. Almost all the breads and pastries (except croissants) are baked in-house.
The chicken salad is dressed with a spicy chili and tamarind dressing sprinkled with togarashi. While the cucumber and chicken combo provides a cooling effect, the salad overall leans more towards cucumber and spice flavors.
While waiting for the next dish, I switched to cocktails and tried the Cheese Negroni. The experience includes biting into an orange leather and cheddar cheese garnish—a piece of cheddar cheese rolled in dried orange peel—to complement the cheese flavors of the Negroni.
### More Culinary Delights
The Cookies & Popcorn Milkshake is another standout. It benefits from over 40 hours of sous vide with cheese, lending a unique finish to the vermouth and cherry tomato flavors.
Chef’s Blue and Goat Cheese Mille Feuille is a wonderful companion—thin, crisp filo pastry topped with blue and goat cheese, nearly melting in your mouth. The sharpness of the cheese is perfectly balanced with slow-cooked tomatoes, green apple, and a sprinkle of hazelnuts.
Don’t miss the Tarte Flambee, a super-thin flatbread liberally topped with fromage blanc, caramelized onions, zucchini, and leeks.
### Cocktails and Mains
Next, I tried the Veneto Spritz. Made with a 20-day infusion further seeped with blanched basil and orange peel, the drink is fresh on the palate and pairs wonderfully with the Sunchoke and Truffle Agnolotti. The pasta is delicate and served with an emulsified butter sauce. A standout feature of this dish is the dried and fried sunchoke sprinkled on top. Its bacon-like texture might even have you wondering if you’re eating a non-vegetarian dish!
Returning to coffee, I savored the Fruit Symphony. As it arrived, I caught a whiff of pineapple. Infused with pineapple and orange, then lacto-clarified, this coffee offers a very balanced profile, starting mellow and finishing with bright orange notes on the palate. Pair it with the Chilly Hot Dog—a chicken frankfurter sandwich that, despite its name, is not overly spicy. The spice emerges when you take a sip of Fruit Symphony afterward.
For those seeking hearty sandwiches, the juicy miso mayo in the Lamb Burger provides umami richness. Pork lovers should try the Drift Cubano, featuring Belgian pork shoulder braised with mustard and orange, slow-cooked for 8 to 10 hours for a “fall apart” texture. Tossed in its own jus and topped with Spanish ham, the sandwich offers succulent, delightful flavors.
### Light Bites and Mocktails
Other offerings include the Waffle Punch and the Croissant Avocado Tartine.
If you’re in the mood for a mocktail, the Mediterranean Snaps is a fantastic choice. Slightly spicy, thanks to a pickled gherkin garnish that adds a pleasant sour and spicy kick, it pairs wonderfully with Smoked Chilli Prawns served with green apple salsa and sourdough toast. The prawns, tossed in an Asian barbecue sauce, are sweet, sour, and spicy—delicious on the palate.
Don’t miss the Chicken Pithiviere, a chicken pie-like dish with a thin, flaky, perfectly crisp crust. It’s stuffed with subtly flavored chicken and veggies, wrapped in lettuce. Just before serving, a jus is poured over it, adding depth and umami.
### Desserts and Final Notes
For dessert, I started with a classic dark chocolate soufflé—always a reliable and indulgent choice. Following that was the Frozen Kalimotxo, a boozy granita/sorbet made by mixing classic Kalimotxo with dark rum and freezing it to a sorbet consistency. This is an excellent palate cleanser, especially for those who appreciate their alcohol.
Ending the meal on a high note, I enjoyed a Light Roast coffee prepared tableside using a siphon method. Watching the brewing process felt like a chemistry lab experience—a patient seven-minute wait for the rich dark coffee to pour into the mug. The entire experience left me in euphoria.
**Average cost for two:** ₹3,000
**Where:** Drift Café Bar, Lower Parel, Mumbai
https://www.freepressjournal.in/weekend/food-review-drift-caf-serves-artistry-in-every-sip-and-bite