Cooperative Indian Coffee House — Restaurant in Uttar Pradesh

The idea is historic. It is hemmed into the fabric of public protests and socio political activism. A lot can happen over coffee. Coffee opens up the pathways of the analytical brain and you begin to think what is right and wrong at social level. The Lucknow's India Coffee House was set up in 1945, by the British to promote Coffee.

It is not by mere chance that icons of the freedom struggle discussed plans in the variois ICHs and deliberated over issues and strategies to rid India of the British Raj.

Later on during the Emergency in 1975, Socialist stalwarts frequented the ICH in Lucknow and elsewhere and these became addas for political discourse. The ICH in Delhi was in fact demolished by Sanjay Gandhi to prevent the opposition from assembling there and discussing strategies.

The Lucknow ICH has a special place in the city's cultural and political life. Being in the centre of the City, it was easy to assemble here. Now with the Lucknow Metro connectivity, it's easier to reach.

But now the old world charm is gone. The ICH is not owned by the Coffee Growers Cooperative. It appears to be owned by one Ms.Aruna Singh. The place was renovated some years ago and is now designed for air-conditioning. But that is bad as the AC does not work and the fans are tiny. The place gets hot and stuffy during the summers. The coffee served is espresso not filter coffee.

It's tough to get idlis and dosas now. Instead you can get paneer pakodas and chow mein.

I was totally disappointed with the change. Hopefully some day, it will see better days and better management.

The good thing is that the social/ political and cultural litterati and glitterati of Lucknow still hold meetings, discussions and gatherings here. So all...

One of the most Iconic Coffee Shops of Lucknow There are several stories associated with the Coffee House that make the place all the more interesting. It is said that in the year 1984, the then U.S Ambassador to India, Mr Harry Barnes visited the Coffee House and he reached the place by a rickshaw where as his official car followed him behind.

Another such story as told by old timers is that of the former UP Chief Minister Vir Bahadur Singh, who was also a regular visitor to the Indian Coffee House. It is said that he used to visit the place to know more about the common man and his problems, though this goodwill gesture was seen as ‘stooping down from protocol’ in those times.

Legend has it that the former Indian Prime Minister, Late Chandra Shekhar, used to visit the Indian Coffee House so much so that he had a fixed table there.

Some of the most esteemed visitors were Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Feroze Gandhi, Atal Behari Vajpayee, Acharya Narendra Dev, Vir Bahadur Singh, Amrit Lal Nagar, Bhagwati Charan Verma, Majaz Lakhnawi!

This landmark first came into business in 1938 and now there is less hustle bustle but.. the coffee served here without an argument is...

#Nostalgia 🙏 #Lucknow’s historic Cooperative #IndianCoffeeHouse will always find a special mention whenever we speak of awadh, #food, #coffee #revolution, #dialogue, #debate #conversation …

🔷 #AlotMoreCanHappenOverCoffee was ALIVE in these premises since ages long before #CCD branded the #slogan.

👉🏻 MAJOR RENOVATIONS have happened at Lucknow’s Indian #CoffeeHouse but don’t raise expectations beyond reason! Be reasonable! New fans, better interiors, functional toilets, better menu, SAME price of #blackcoffee ₹30, omelette with two #breadtoast ₹50, better lighting though natural light is good, okay service (same as before 🙊)…

👉🏻 menu includes fhali, #southindianfood dishes though I have not tried any . . . #foodweeat #foodlover #foodie #indianfoodie #lucknowfoodie #foodblogger #indianfoodblogger #lucknowfoodblogger #delhifood #delhifoodie #delhifoodblogger #foodstories #streetfood...