Our Story
From a 200 sq. ft. garage to Gorakhpur's finest coffee sanctuary.
A Tiny Roaster with a Big Dream
It started in a 200 sq. ft. garage. Our founder, Arjun Mehta, had spent three years travelling through Ethiopia, Colombia, and Sumatra — not as a tourist, but as a student of the bean. He returned home with notebooks full of tasting profiles, a hand-crank roaster, and an unshakeable belief that the people of Gorakhpur deserved access to world-class coffee.
The first batches were gifted to neighbours. Word spread quickly. Within eight months, Arjun had signed a lease on Artisan Street and Coffee Time was born.
Coffee as a Moment, Not Just a Drink
We believe coffee at its best is a ritual. It asks you to slow down, to notice the aroma before the first sip, to feel the warmth of the cup. Every decision we make — from the farms we partner with to the shape of our tables — is designed to honour that ritual.
Our café is not designed for quick transactions. It is designed for long mornings, creative afternoons, and quiet evenings. We are a space for the full spectrum of human moments.
Growing Thoughtfully, One Cup at a Time
Seven years on, we have expanded our space, deepened our farmer relationships, and launched a subscription programme that delivers fresh-roasted beans to homes across India. But the heart has never changed — every cup is still an act of care.
We are proud of where we have come from and excited about where coffee is taking us next.
Explore Our Sourcing
"I didn't open a cafe. I opened a conversation — between the farmer who grew the beans, the barista who brewed them, and you, the person who needs a moment of beauty in your day."
— Arjun Mehta, Founder & Head Roaster
Three Guiding Principles
Every cup we serve is shaped by these commitments. They are not marketing slogans — they are the decisions we make every single day.
Radical Transparency
We know the names of the farmers behind every bag. We publish what we pay. No mysteries, no middlemen — just honest coffee and honest prices.
Obsessive Freshness
Beans roasted to order. Pastries baked at 5 AM daily. Milk sourced from a local dairy 40 km away. We refuse to compromise on what freshness truly means.
Community First
From hosting local artists to composting our grounds for a nearby community garden, we are here to make our neighbourhood a little more beautiful, every day.
Meet Our Team
Coffee Time is run by a small, passionate team of six baristas, a baker, and one very enthusiastic roaster.
Arjun Mehta
Founder & Head Roaster
Trained in Addis Ababa and Medellín. Obsessive about green bean selection and single-origin clarity.
Priya Sharma
Head Barista
World Barista Championship semi-finalist 2023. Specialises in latte art and espresso dialling.
Ravi Kumar
Head Baker
Wakes at 3 AM every day. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu, Dehradun. Responsible for our legendary almond croissant.