Sobremesa – A Hidden Gem of Warmth and Conversations
It was one of those days when I stumbled upon a place that felt like it had been waiting for me all along.
"Sobremesa" is a beautiful Spanish word that refers to the time spent lingering at the table after a meal, enjoying conversation and connection with others. It captures the warmth of shared moments, where food is just the beginning, and the real experience lies in the laughter, stories, and bonds that follow.
Nestled in the heart of Hyderabad, Cafe Sobremesa lived up to the essence of its name—a place where time slows down, and conversations linger long after the last sip of coffee.
As I stepped in, a wave of warmth greeted me. The cafe had both outdoor and indoor seating, but it was the interiors that instantly captivated me. The old English-style rooms, built with granite stones, exuded an earthy nostalgia. The space radiated an unspoken invitation, as if whispering stories from another era. It reminded me of the BARC quarters I grew up in—stone-walled rooms with large European windows that bathed the space in soft daylight.
A steward named David welcomed me with an effortless charm. He had a keen eye for comfort, ensuring that my experience started just right. When I mentioned that I had a meeting to attend, he guided me to a cozy, private nook—a room with an oversized, plush chair and the perfect balance of air conditioning. It was the kind of space where time could pause, yet the world outside would keep moving.
Sensing my love for coffee, David suggested a cold brew. I’ve always been a fan of cold brews and flat whites, ever since my friend Saigal introduced me to them. David recommended the Neri Malai Cold Drip, a specialty brew made from a meticulous nine-hour drip extraction of 100% Arabica coffee from the Palani Hills. Trusting his instinct, I agreed.
As I set up for my meeting, David returned with the cold brew. The first sip was pure magic—smooth, rich, and refreshingly bold. I caught a knowing smile on David's face, as if he had anticipated my reaction. Perhaps it was the satisfaction of seeing a customer fall in love with a well-made suggestion.
As the day unfolded, I saw the cafe transform. The quiet, serene morning gradually turned into an afternoon symphony of chatter and laughter. Groups of friends, young couples capturing their perfect Instagram moments, professionals lost in deep discussions, and people lost in their laptops—it was a melting pot of stories.
For lunch, I let my curiosity guide me. I ordered their Roasted Pumpkin and Carrot Soup, a Pear Salad, and Onion Chicken Pakoda. Each dish was a masterpiece. The soup was velvety smooth, balancing the earthiness of pumpkin with the sweetness of carrots. The pear salad was light and refreshing, a dance of flavors in every bite. The onion chicken pakoda—crunchy, flavorful, and spiced to perfection—was a revelation. The portions were generous, and every bite left an impression on my taste buds that lingered long after.
Before leaving, I indulged in their Nemesis Cold Blend. If the Neri Malai had impressed me, this one sealed the deal—I had found my haven in this city.
But Sobremesa was not just about food and coffee. It was about the people. During my time there, I crossed paths with an group NGO members, a land aggregator couple, a filmmaker, and his writer fiancée.
Conversations flowed effortlessly, connections were made, and for a while, it felt as though we were all part of the same story.
As I walked out, I carried with me more than just the taste of exceptional coffee and food—I carried an experience. The kind that stays with you, the kind that calls you back.
Next time I find myself in Hyderabad, Sobremesa will not be a place I visit; it will be a place I...
Read moreHosted a small birthday party for 15 people at this restaurant. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the experience.
Starting with the food, it is clear that the chefs at this establishment are experts in their craft. The entire meal was a showcase of their skill and attention to detail. The cake was both beautiful and delicious, and the hibiscus lemonade received mixed reviews (some found it too sweet, while I personally enjoyed it). The roasted pumpkin and carrot soup was very good, and the saffron arancini were good enough, though not particularly special. The green pea and jalapeno sliders and the pesto grilled vegetable sliders were both excellent starters, and the white and red pasta dishes were both outstanding, with the white pasta being particularly noteworthy. The margarita pizza was also top-class, with a generous quantity.
The service at this restaurant was generally excellent, with one standout performer in Madhu, who was the waiter-in-charge for our group. Madhu was exceptional in his level of hospitality and willingness to accommodate our requests (which were all reasonable). It is rare to find such personalized service in Hyderabad or even in India, and Madhu truly made our experience special. The only negative note was the valet driver, who was overly pushy about receiving a tip from some of our guests. This was unprofessional and left a slightly negative impression. Additionally, we did have one unfortunate incident where a 500 rupee note went missing from an envelope that we left in the car's front compartment. While it was our mistake to leave the money in the car, we do wonder if the valet driver may have had something to do with the missing money.
The ambiance at this restaurant was top-class, with a beautiful setting and high-quality furnishings. The only issue was the presence of mosquitos in the private room, which the restaurant should have taken care of before our arrival. Overall, this is a top-notch establishment with excellent food, service, and ambiance, and I would highly recommend...
Read moreI am offering this review as a person with current physical disability, sensory sensitivity and food restrictions in the hope it may help another make an informed decision.
Access: From the parking area (which is by the road and short) to the outdoor seating area is only about 20 steps. If you are on wheelchair, there is a short half-step from parking to seating. Otherwise smooth and easy. If you have a bit more mobility to walk few steps, there are more lovely seating areas.
I visited on a Sunday close to opening hours. It was empty. People started to come in from noon onwards. I suggest go early if you have access issues.
Atmosphere: There are lovely trees that canopy the entrance and plants everywhere. If you are like me very bored of rectangular restaurants and want to see diversity in architecture -- this place is gorgeous. It was such a treat. See the pics.
Service: A special thank you to my server Shekar who attended with care and promptness. He not only took orders and served on time but also gave me space to enjoy the meal. I cherished my brunch. And he explained the layout and beautiful spots for a photograph.
Food:I ate carrot and pumpkin soup, poached pear and goat cheese salad, a cappuccino made from organic coffee beans with coconut milk and an egg pudding (I forget the name). They were delicious. And 48hrs later I can report, they also sat in my tummy very well. I loved the presentation and the dishware used. Aesthetics makes such a difference. If you are on high protein or keto diet, there are number of options for that too. For vegetarians, there is a paneer skewer (on my to-eat-list for next time)
Overall, this has been my most pleasant eat-outing alone in the last two years.
Sobremesa folks--...
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