Friends Bench All Day Cafè — Restaurant in Mumbai

#tfb stands for The Friends Bench! Its an All Day Cafe at Vile Parle East at Chitranjan Road. Easily locatable via maps, this place has been here since more than a year now!

Cute cozy cafe with a simple concept of serving fusion food, books, board games and music (they have a guitar)! Lucky to interact and meet the chef and owner of the cafe and understand more about the place and also help with recommendations! All the items available are vegetarian with jain options as well! Being in area which is dominated by vegetarians, it just made more sense!

This cafe has a lot of footfalls especially the young crowd from colleges and students living near by! Pricing has been kept reasonable not too heavy on the pockets basis the TG! The lane in which the cafe is located is narrow, so parking 4 wheelers could be a pain. So please manage accordingly!

Moving to what all I tried at #tfb -

We started with couple of appetizers and ordered the Lasagne Roll Ups and Pizza Cup Cakes! Presentation of both these dishes and all dishes in general was awesome! Lasagna Roll Ups were given to us in Shot Glasses - Cheese Stuffed Rolls dipped in Honey Chilli Dip at the bottom! Pizza Cup Cakes were freshly baked cupcakes with mozzarella cheese filling and pizza filling. Loved both the dishes and must try.

To go with food, we ordered couple of drinks. Ordered the Guava Bliss and Peach Passion Ice Tea to begin with. Presented in glass jars, drinks were good! Later we also tried the special for the day which was Kalakhatta cooler. Was excited about this since it is my favorite. But I have had better ones elsewhere.

Next we tried couple of Mexican dishes. One a part of the menu and another one soon to be introduced! We had the Mexican Sevpuri (never heard of it before) and Mexican Cigar Rolls (new item). Again both tasted really nice. Sevpuri was potato puri topped with mexican beans and spiced chutney. It is also one of the chef’s special recommendations! I would definitely recommend the chef to introduce the cigar rolls as well

Moving to the mains - we tried a burger and pasta! They also have salads and pizzas and fries and waffles! That’s a lot of variety for a cafe. Tried the #tfb special burger! Fully loaded good looking burger which comes along in-house fries and some ketchup. The burger is filled with onion rings, has browns along with Chipotle Mayo and Cheese Melt! Simply Epic! Miss this one at your own risk! Amongst Pasta, we tried the Spaghetti Cheese Cake. Spaghetti lovers should try this one. Unique way of presenting it. They make and bake the pasta in a box and then invert it in a pan so the cheese and spaghetti stick together. Tomato sauce based pasta! Others can also try the Mac and Cheese, something which is very popular.

Besides these, I have also heard rave reviews about their fries platter. So watch out for that as well.

Finally last but definitely not the least had a fantastic dessert that I will remember for a long time! Its called the Nutella Lasagna! Lasagna because there are levels in this dessert - 3 levels of pancakes and 2 levels of brownie! Topped with Nutella sauce and garnished with nuts. The presentation was just so beautiful! Highly Recommended and must try!

All in all, I had a great time at this cute cafe, definitely a cute place to hangout with friends if in this area. Place is small with around 5 to 6 tables so be mindful of that. Definitely...

A small, well decorated, cute and cozy cafe, found in the lanes of Vile Parle, is a hot spot for students from nearby colleges and also people living around. It has limited seating, but very quick service. We went in for lunch, and enjoyed our time there thoroughly. They have also launched new dishes, that are extremely delicious. What we ordered was primarily from the new menu. We had: Peach Passion Iced Tea (5/5) - Chilled, just the right amount of sweetness, a refreshing peach flavour and great quantity. Walking in here after a long day, then this will cheer you up. Paneer Khruchan tarts (4/5) - Nicely toasted, a yummy heavy paneer filling inside, served with a dip. Must try. You will think there’s that yumminess from cheese, but it’s not, so a win-win for those on a diet as well. Volcano Freakshake (5/5) - Yummy chocolate flavoured thickshake, with yummy fresh cream on top with great presentation. For all of you looking for the perfect food shot with a great tasting shake, this ones for you. Italian Float (4/5) - It is similar to coke float, but in a cranberry base flavour and cream on top. If you like sweet flavours, this is for you. Peri peri pizza (6/5) - It’s a wood fired pizza with very good base sauce, quite spicy, filled with lots of veggies, cheesy top and a spicy cheesy sauce on top. With chilli flakes and oregano, it tastes even better. Must try, if you are a spicy and pizza person. Penne pasta with cheese balls (5/5) - We usually order cheese corn balls for starters and pasta for main course, this dish gives one the best of both worlds. The cheese balls are crispy, cheesy and perfectly fried, and the pasta has a very creamy base sauce tossed with veggies and garlic bread. Must try, if you looking for a heavy dish. Stir fry vegetables in black pepper sauce served with rice (4/5) - Its a very heavy dish, with the quantity of rice being much more than the accompaniments. The sauce and veggies tasted great, and the rice was perfectly cooked. So the entire dish was great. Cheesy Jalapeño Fondue (5/5) - Cheesy spicy hot sauce, and nachos, potato wedges and bread to dip in, the dish was great. Very good to order between 2-3 people. If you looking to eat nachos and fondue, just order this fondue, you already get nachos in it. Nutella Lasagne (5/5) - The pancakes and brownie shaped in form of cookies in between were extremely soft and delicious. They complimented each other very well and the sauce and choco sprinkles took the dish up a notch.

Overall, yes there are restrictions for bigger groups to come in because of space, but the food, service and ambience are great. Do visit, if you have an opportunity, you won’t be...

In the heart of Vile Parle, nestled amid the bustling streets and cheerful chaos, Friends Bench Cafe stands as a tranquil sanctuary, inviting both locals and wanderers to experience a blend of heartfelt hospitality and wholesome cuisine. With its cozy ambiance, delectable offerings, and a spirit that resonates with friendship, this cafe transcends the ordinary, offering an oasis of comfort and joy.

Ambiance: From the moment you step into Friends Bench Cafe, you are enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. The cozy interiors adorned with mismatched yet comfortable furniture, soft lighting, and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee create an ambiance that feels like a warm embrace. It's the kind of place where friends gather, where conversations flow effortlessly, and where strangers leave as friends.

Menu: The menu at Friends Bench Cafe is a culinary journey that celebrates local flavors with a modern twist. From aromatic chai to decadent pastries, each item is prepared with a commitment to quality and taste. Whether you're craving a hearty breakfast, a soul-soothing soup, or a sinfully delicious dessert, the menu offers a diverse range of options to satiate every palate. The cafe takes pride in sourcing fresh, local ingredients, ensuring that every dish is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of the region.

Community Hub: Beyond its culinary delights, Friends Bench Cafe serves as a true community hub. It's a place where students gather to study, where artists find inspiration, and where professionals unwind after a long day. The walls adorned with local artwork, the sound of laughter, and the sight of people engrossed in conversation create an ambiance that fosters a sense of belonging.

Heartfelt Hospitality: What truly sets Friends Bench Cafe apart is its heartfelt hospitality. The staff, with their genuine smiles and attentive service, make you feel like you're not just a customer but a cherished guest. The personalized recommendations, the extra care in presentation, and the willingness to go the extra mile define the essence of hospitality here.

Conclusion: Friends Bench Cafe is more than just a culinary destination; it's a haven of friendship, flavors, and the simple joys of life. Whether you're seeking solace with a book, engaging in lively conversations with friends, or savoring the taste of freshly brewed coffee, this cafe offers an experience that lingers in your memory long after you leave. It's a reminder that in the heart of a bustling city, there exists a place where time slows down, smiles come freely, and friendships are nurtured over cups of steaming chai and...