O’ver Coffee brings a slice of Europe all the way to Bengaluru’s Lavelle Road

As someone who grew up in Bengaluru and went to school in the neighbourhood of the famed M G Road, I’m all too familiar with the energy of Lavelle Road.

While other areas in the city such as Indiranagar and Koramangala often stake the claim for being a gastronomical hub, Lavelle Road is not too far behind.

The stretch—which begins at the signal overlooking the iconic Cubbon Park and ends at the bust of Vittal Mallya—is dotted with several eateries and watering holes. So, the entry of yet another eatery may go largely unnoticed.

But that’s not the case with O’ver Coffee, which has parked itself smack in the middle of two other restaurants, grabbing attention with its gleaming sign that bids you a warm welcome.

O’ver Coffee is a humble space, that pays homage to the quintessential cafés of our times. But it also manages to stand apart with its exclusive wines and its interesting food selection with a European influence.

Industrial lighting gives the place an edgy feel, while the wooden chairs and simple decor lend a cosy and casual vibe to the setting.

Architect turned entrepreneur Mahesh Krishnachari, Founder of O’ver Coffee, had envisioned the space nearly four years ago, inspired by his numerous travels to Europe.

“I could never pull this thing [O’ver Coffee] together back then… But in October of 2020, I finally said let’s do it,” Krishnamachari tells YS Life.

Around this time Krishnachari met Chef Abhijit Saha, a renowned chef and restauranteur with over three decades of experience, and the two of them got to work with a vision to bring a slice of Europe into a café on Bengaluru’s very own Lavelle Road.

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And for the most part, their efforts seem to have paid off.

The menu at O’ver Coffee is extensive—with small and large plates—all inspired by the flavours of Europe.

For instance, its porcini mushroom risotto takes you right to the Italian countryside, with its rich earthy flavour and perfectly steeped rice.

While it isn’t spice driven, the food at O’ver Coffee is enriched with bursts of flavour and freshness. be it the small bites, like the plant-based nuggets or avocado toast, it celebrates the freshness of ingredients—a surprise for to those of us who are more attuned to Indian tastes.

“European cuisine is very flavourful, if you know how to prepare it,” points out Saha.

“As Indians chefs, the way we approach it is not right… In fact, European food has a lot of flavours, nuances, and they [Europeans] work towards it—to extract the natural flavours within the ingredients. This has also been my philosophy of cooking as well,” he says.

Then comes the wine offering, which is broad. O’ver Coffee it does its best to strike a balance between international and domestic wines, ; with domestic wines make up at least 40% of the menu.

This is what Krishachari believes sets O’ver Coffee apart from its competitors on Lavelle Road. “In this locality, you have like lots of other restaurants selling different kinds of liquor. But exclusive wine was something which I found missing,” he says.

The synergy between wine and coffee is not uncommon in Europe. In fact, Parisian cafés in France often have a full bar that accompanies their coffee offerings.

As an ode to the fusion of wine and coffee, O’ver Coffee brews an espresso corretto—a smooth, delectable shot of coffee mixed with red wine. It’s a seemingly wild combination of flavours that, somehow, simply works. The notes of red wine, with its tarte body, pull out the bitter and earthy flavour of the Columbian coffee. As it sits, the coffee notes settle and the red wine comes through with its full, bright taste.

For those who aren’t fans of coffee or wine, the teas at O’ver Coffee are also spectacular. They are steeped with loose leaves and serve as a perfect complement to the small bites on offer.

As it blends the offerings of a café, a restaurant, and a wine bar, O’ver Coffee lends itself to an all-day dining experience—where diners can wine and dine in one cosy space.

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That’s not all,! The place also comes with co-working spaces and a conference room, that is away from the café-setting—ideal for those looking to take meetings, while also grabbing a bite.

The focus at O’ver Coffee is on serving quality food and delivering an experience to everyone who walks in, says Saha.

“If you are someone looking to be in a relaxed space, … settle down… maybe O’ver Coffee is the place for you,” he sums it up.

O’ver Coffee Cafe and Wine Bar is located on Lavelle Road, Bengaluru.

Price for two: Rs 1,200.

(This story has been updated to correct some typos.)