European coffee chain Coffee Island, in partnership with Vita Nova, on Monday entered the Indian market, by opening its first outlet at HQ27 in Gurugam. It aims to introduce a distinctive European coffee culture to a burgeoning speciality coffee segment.
The brand is focusing on delivering premium blends, sustainable practices, and immersive café experiences tailored to the youth population of the country.
In an interaction with FE, Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, CEO of Coffee Island, expressed optimism about India’s rapidly growing coffee market. “India’s speciality coffee segment is expanding at an annual rate of 10.15% CAGR, with urban consumers aged 18-40 accounting for 82% of coffee consumption. This discerning demographic is driving demand for premium, sustainable, and experiential coffee options—areas where Coffee Island excels,” he said.
Coffee Island aims to open 20 outlets in metropolitan cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad by 2026, scaling up to 250 outlets by 2029, including smaller, high-potential urban markets. “Within a year, we plan to expand to smaller cities,” said Pratyush Kumar Sureka, founder of Vita Nova.
“We don’t believe in the myth that quality and great experience only come at exorbitant prices. At Coffee Island, our price strategy is designed to balance quality, value, and affordability. While we remain a premium coffee brand, we also recognise the need to be competitive and accessible to a wide range of consumers. Our offerings include high-quality, speciality coffee drinks at prices that are competitive and that we believe truly represent the experience the consumer is getting from us,” Pratyush added.
Sustainability is at the core of the brand’s philosophy. Coffee beans are ethically sourced from small farmers. The company also upcycles coffee waste and uses 100% compostable cups, aligning with its commitment to reducing environmental impact.
The brand is also eyeing South Asia for growth, with potential expansion into Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Mauritius. “Our broader vision is to bring the Coffee Island experience to consumers across the region,” Konstantinopoulos added.
Coffee Island’s value proposition includes in-store grinderies where customers can touch, feel, and choose their coffee beans. Its coffee profiles are curated by Sunalini Menon, Asia’s first Coffee Lady. “Our ambience embodies European street culture, while our diverse menu combines global favourites like Spanish Bombon and Vietnamese Shakerato with Indian-inspired innovations like Banoffee with Nolen Gur,” said Sureka.
The menu offers a mix of specialty beverages, non-coffee drinks like granitas and milkshakes, and artisanal food options crafted by renowned chef Arjyo Banerjee. “We’re blending international flavours with local twists to cater to Indian tastes,” he added.