For a country that has historically been very committed to its chai, India has developed quite the coffee habit. There seems to be a new coffee shop opening every other week, and specialty coffee has moved well beyond the small circle of people who know exactly what a washed process means. And on World Coffee Day, we have one question for you. In the big 2026, why are you still making a Starbucks run? There’s a whole homegrown coffee scene to explore, and you don’t even have to leave your house to find it.
Because these days, you can have coffee from a Mumbai cafe delivered to your doorstep in Ahmedabad, or discover a roaster from Jodhpur while sitting in Delhi. Homegrounds, founded in 2024 by Mumbai-based Mohit Odhrani, brings around 42 coffee roasters from across the country onto one app. Craving a warm cup from Mumbai’s Boojee Cafe? It’s right there. Curious about a roaster from Shillong that you’ve never heard of? You can find that too, without having to hunt down individual websites or know where to look in the first place.
There’s plenty to browse once you’re in. Daily Grinds brings together everyday favourites from roasters such as Nice Guys Coffee, Blue Tokai, Yagachi, Araku and SMGLR, while Specialty Selects offers pricier options from Boojee, Curious Coffee Roasters, and Roast. There are also latte-friendly coffees from Caffinary and Nandan Coffee, along with capsules and easy-brew options. And if you’re looking to upgrade your coffee station at home, the Barista Essentials section has French presses, grinders, milk pitchers and even some rather lovely ceramics from coffee brands, with accessories starting at around ₹600.
For those who find the sheer number of choices overwhelming, there’s a Coffee Matchmaker to help narrow things down. It asks about your coffee habits, whether you prefer a light, medium or dark roast, the flavours you enjoy, and how much you’re willing to spend. Even if you have absolutely no idea what you like, it’s a good place to start experimenting. Homegrounds’ Instagram page is also full of explainers on everything from yeast-inoculated coffee to how paper, metal and cloth filters affect your brew. It also introduces you to brewing traditions such as Turkish coffee and helps you discover coffee shops in different cities. The team is currently working on bringing blogs to its website, too.
The app currently has more than 10,000 downloads on the Google Play Store and is available on both iOS and Android. With pan-India delivery and so many homegrown roasters to choose from, Homegrounds makes it easier to explore the country's growing coffee scene without having to travel for every good cup. Your next favourite coffee could be coming from a city you’ve never even visited.
