Mocha Pune — Restaurant in Pune

Mocha is not new to Pune. But the the way it has reintroduced itself it's just mind blowing. I actually Missed Mocha a lot. I was the regular visitor to Mocha Law College Road branch. It had its own charm back then and it has its new charm today as well. The brand has kept its legacy and the quality of the food intact over the years as well.

We were the part of the #LaunchInvitation by #PEOConnect #PEO. We were almost 25 Foodies present there and we had foodielious time, 5 course presents set mental specially curated for was there to enjoy, relish and have PEO family time.

We were the early birds to reach the place so I could explore the place before it gets full. Ambience was superbly done right from the Main door which are the Shipping Container doors which gives you nice rustic feeling. It has two sitting sections, indoors and outside sitting is much to talk about. It has very unique style of placing the tables, they are actually hanging like a swing and customers can be settled on a nice comfy benches. They also have nice nest type sitting area which is against the comfortable for all groups. They really have taken lot of efforts on the interior of the place. #Appreciation for this. Mocha lives by its name as far as the making up the place is concern.

Now lets head towards the food:

As we settled the signature shakes started flowing in: As the Menu was vast I tried to just beak-in!! Mocha Shake Ferrero Rocher Shake Strawberry Cheese Cake shake Oreo cookie and fudge Brownie

Mocha freak Shake: Fudge Brownie Cronut

Apart from the strawberry I tried all the shake and the frame shakes they were really good and served chilled. I like the most was Mocha shake and Oreo cookie & fudge Brownie. Both were perfectly dome not too sweet not to thick. Nice big straws for bigger sips with loads of cream on it. In freak shake I like the Fudge Brownie: Nice warm Brownie chunks was served with loads of cream and scoops of chocolate ice cream inside with chocolate sauce oozing out the jar. #MustHave

Soup: Khow Suey Soup: Nicely presented hot and bit of spicy soup along with three small portions of peanuts fried onion and crispy noodles in a seperate small bowls.

Appetizers: Bhut Jholokia Chilli Rarebit: One of the speciest chill with loads of cheese and baked it to perfect crunch on a home baked bread loaf. This is a #MustHave

Jalapeños Hush Puppies: This small little finger food loaded with cheese and jalapeños perfectly fried till the cover is nice golden brown and crunchy from outside and oozing cheese within. It was served with salad.

Crispy Honey Chilli Lotus Stem: fries and lotus stem were dipped in honey Chilli sauce sprinkled with sesame seed. Nice in taste.

Sandwiches: (Paninis) BMT: All the sandwiches are made with multi grain bread and grilled and served with Fries. This sandwich was kind of let down, but I as in it was bit dry and flaky. Any type of mayo or any type of added dressing would have been made the sandwiches bit moist or juicy.

Pao Sliders:

Crispy Kanda Pao: First rain dish served in a innovative way. Onion Rings stuffed in between the Pao served with spice Chutney. I will give it a pass. I didn't like it much.

Mains: Mocha style Aglio Oglio: spaghetti Pasta served with nice 2 big garlic bread. Good portion size. Perfect combination of herbs and right mix of olive oil made this paste perfect. #MustHave I missed out the Thai green curry and rice... Which will be covered in next visit!!

Desserts: Rasmalai Cheese Cake: WOW!! it's the first impression and it stays till the last bite. Ultra modern combination of traditional recipe of rasmalai combined with cheese cake and dipped in to the rasmalai syrup. Presentation wise as well it is so lovely and taste wise it's the yummiest. #HighlyRecommended.

Flourless Chocolate Cake: Warm chocolate cake served with a scoop of Chocolate Ice-cream. It's a Chocolate cake...

I seldom write reviews for restaurants, as I generally believe every establishment has its pros and cons, and I refrain from criticism unless absolutely necessary. However, my recent experience at The Mocha, Salunke Vihar compels me to highlight some significant concerns which cannot be overlooked.

We were a group of five and were initially offered a table meant for four, despite there being multiple vacant and spacious areas within the premises. Upon requesting to be seated more comfortably, we were informed that the section was “closed” until 7:30 PM. This meant that from 6 PM to 7:30 PM, we were expected to sit uncomfortably, crammed around a small table, even though clearly better seating was available.

Secondly, as it was a friend’s birthday, we had brought a cake. A standard practice in many establishments is to allow the cake to be stored temporarily in their refrigerator to prevent it from melting. However, we were told that outside cakes were not allowed as Mocha has its own bakery, and that they “don’t keep cakes in refrigerators.” This refusal, despite the minimal effort or space required, felt rigid and unnecessarily restrictive.

Thirdly, we were taking pictures using a DSLR – something quite common and harmless. To our surprise, we were informed that DSLR photography was not permitted. Ironically, we noticed another couple using a DSLR as well, but they were not stopped. This discrepancy in enforcement felt arbitrary and unfair. At the end of the day, what difference does it make whether memories are captured on a phone or a camera?

In an industry centered around customer experience, imposing such illogical and inflexible restrictions does more harm than good. People visit such places to relax, celebrate, and enjoy – not to be micromanaged at every step. Mocha brands itself as an elite dining space, but these experiences reflect an environment that prioritizes rigid policy over genuine hospitality.

Such policies must be reviewed seriously. Hospitality isn’t just about food – it’s about warmth, comfort, and flexibility. If the customer is made to feel uncomfortable, no matter how good the food is, the purpose is defeated.

That said, the food was enjoyable and the service was prompt and efficient.

PS: We do not blame the waitstaff in any way. This message is directed towards the management alone. I hope this is taken...

Lunch this afternoon was at Mocha (Koregaon Park, Lane 7, Pune).

Classic Hummus with Pita Bread. The description mentions "pine nuts aka chilgosa" which are 9000 rupees a kilo. When you expect a pine nut garnish but are served boiled chickpeas (probably 150 rupees a kilo) as garnish, that simply does not make the cut for me. I requested pine nuts, they did not have them which is why i sent this back to the kitchen, uneaten. I'd read the menu before ordering, i knew what i'd ordered, and i wanted exactly what id ordered. I wanted no special favours, all i wanted was what i'd read and ordered. Ziddi hu! 🤷🏻‍♀️ #SeedhiBaatNoBakwaas

Chilli Cheese Chicken Dragon Cigar.. this was like spring roll and yet not so.. it was cheesy, with juillienned veggies and chicken, served with a yum sauce. We loved it!

Badnaam Chicken Tikka.. Itna pyaara tikka badnaam kyu hua kisse pata? 🤪 This creamy tikka was succulent and well-coooked.. and that sauce was so darn moreish. Absolute banger of a dish.

Hot Chilli Garlic Prawns.. spicy and garlicky, indeed. These were crisp fried prawns tossed in a spicy garlicky sauce. I thoroughly enjoy spicy food. This was more my kind of a dish than mums. If you're a spice wuss, avoid it. If you enjoy spicy flavours, dont miss it. 🥳

Kheema Ghotala with Maska Pau.. Delicious kheema. Mum was happy the egg was double fried. I would've preferred a sunny side up. Imagine that runny yolk blissfully oozing into the kheema and being sopped up with that maska pau. Sigh! Also, i wish they had buttered the bread from within and crisped it up a bit. Crisp buttered pau would've given this dish extra oomph. But, i cannot fault the kheema flavour at all. I'd very easily reorder this.

Except for a tiny blunder on one dish, which i sent back (uneaten) and wasn't charged for, uff.. this was a superb meal. 🥳

Great service, excellent food, clean washrooms.

We paid 2229, inclusive of 2 diet cokes, 5% GST and 10% SC. No discounts asked for, or were available for this place on...