Top 5 places to catch breakfast in and around IITB

Early mornings are known to IITians only post a night-out and there are perhaps many of us who have never seen the sun rise since our lives began here. However, by the end, you invariably would have trekked to the top of Sameer Hill at the crack of dawn and would have headed for the quintessential Maddu Mess afterwards (If you’ve not done Sameer, you’ve really missed something at IIT). And in the last semester, when time seems too scarce a commodity to spend alone, you end up meeting people for breakfasts and brunches as well. Here’s a list of places where we enjoyed sipping a cup of morning coffee along with the other delights they had on offer.

Aromas

“A freshly ground heaven,” (and it’s just a bit less than that, to be realistic) you can waltz in anytime between 8am and 11am making this Australian tea and coffee chain an ideal restaurant to spend a lazy morning if breakfast-in-bed doesn’t seem to be coming through. The pick of their menu is the ‘Aromas Breakfast’ which offers a size-able portion consisting of a bowl of cereal, eggs-made-to-order with hashbrown potatoes and baked beans, a choice of bread or croissant and tea or coffee and juice. All of this for Rs. 235 + taxes. The intoxicating smell of coffee, the warm lights, the comfy sofas and, if you’re lucky, some nice conversation is sure to make it one of the best mornings in quite a while.

Tip: The eggs come with 4 pieces of toasted bread so that’s a meal by itself. The Belgian Waffles and Akuri Toast are worth a try too.

Price: Rs 250-270
Presentation: 4/5
Quality of Food: 4.5*/5
Variety: 4/5
Ambiance: 5/5
Overall: 4.6/5
*Do ask if the fruit compote is available before ordering it.

Maddu Mess

If you’re in dire need of food at 5 in the morning and you crave it, this is your destination -be it after a PAF nightout or one spent on finishing that project or for no reason at all. Buried deep into the Diagon Alley opposite YP Gate, this nook would serve you Egg Dosa, Sada Dosa, Masala Dosa, freshly prepared Idlis, Medu wadas, and their special coffee and tea.
The ambiance might not seem very hygienic, but most of the food served here is cooked right before your eyes and served hot, and hence, it should be of little concern. (Rats are illusions.)
Mind you, this isn’t really a place for conversations – you eat, pay and leave. The USP of the place is the location (Ask somebody familiar to the place, you might not get there otherwise) and the time when they serve food. Do eat the anda-dosa and medu wadas! A place that merits a RainTreemention, that too by a professor, is surely worth a sacrifice of one of your slumber-ful mornings.

Price: ~ Rs 80
Presentation: 3/5
Quality of Food: 3/5
Variety: 3/5
Ambiance: 1/5
Overall: 2.5/5

H5/H13 Mess

For the inmates, it may sound routine. However, they fare very well when compared to other hostel messes. Servings include – a very well prepared dish of the day, thick curd, eggs prepared to your order and warm glass of Bournvita milk. And of course, they serve tea and coffee. For Rs. 20, it sure is a great deal if you want a welcome change from your regular mess food.

Price: Rs. 20
Presentation: 3/5
Quality of Food: 3/5
Variety: 2.5/5
Ambiance: 2
Overall: 2.6/5

McDonald’s

While the closest outlet is in Sakinaka (I hope we have one in HN soon – a Barista and McD’s outlet and HN shall be the it) we’d recommend taking an early morning local upto CST, catch the morning at Marine Drive and then gorge on breakfast at the McD’s outlet opposite CST, technically in the area called Fort.

They open at 7am and “wake up and sizzle, baby, sizzle.” Though the ‘full’ breakfast menu hasn’t arrived in India yet, what’s available is still enough to keep you wanting more. Non-vegetarians, this is your morning paradise – don’t go without a sausage & egg or an egg & cheese McMuffin in your takeaway bag. Veggies: the veg McMuffin and the pancakes with maple syrup are for you. Ofcourse, the hashbrowns and their coffee is not to be missed.

Price: ~ Rs. 200
Presentation: 3.5/5
Quality of Food: 3/5
Variety: 3/5
Ambiance: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.25/5

Rodas

This is one of the places you hear of in freshie year, where job-treats are given. Fair enough. It isn’t that far a reach. We headed out to Rodas for a friend’s valfi-treat and were quite pleased at the morning we spent there. There’s sunlight streaming through the windows, ceramics and cutlery and warm yellow napkins laid out in front of you. You can walk down the buffet table and choose between (hold on, this is a long list): juices, cold cuts, fresh fruits; Indian food – generally dosas, uttapums, idlis and paranthas; continental that includes sausages, baked potatoes, tomatoes, a variety of breads, croissants and sandwiches; and, ofcourse, desserts that include cakes, muffins, pastries and mousses. In addition, you have have your eggs custom made.

— Pranjal Bordia & Anasuya Mandal

 The rating given to these places is based on personal experience. It may or may not coincide with your opinion. You’re free to add more places in the comments section.