Hyderabad gets first Starbucks experiential coffee store

Starbucks has just opened its first-ever experiential store in Hyderabad. This is South India’s first cafe in the buzzy Khajaguda neighbourhood of Hyderabad — a space designed not just for sipping coffee, but for understanding, savouring, and interacting with it.

Inside, the store that can seat around 50 people is divided into two distinct seating zones and houses an Espresso Zone and Brew Bar. Here, you can chat with in-house baristas, observe the meticulous brewing process, and even get a crash course in what goes into your daily cup — from grind to pour.

But the real magic lies in the menu. This is not your regular line-up of lattes and frappes. Instead, you will find a curated range of specialty beverages that celebrate Indian ingredients: jaggery, tamarind, chilli, coconut, and even shikanji. Highlights include the cinnamon jaggery latte, Malabar coconut cream latte, a red peru and kanthari chilli cold brew, and a tamarind shikanji cold brew.

There is also a selection of beans to explore. The store offers five exclusive espresso options and 13 whole-bean variants sourced from coffee-growing regions including India, Kenya, Sumatra and Latin America.

“We’ve always aimed to bring beans from around the world,” says Vibhor Mishra, Starbucks’ Coffee Ambassador for APAC and China. “Because in the world of coffee, geography is flavour. We even have an India States blend — grown, sourced, and roasted in India.” Some of the other unique options include House Blend, French Roast and Papua New Guinea, unavailable at most other outlets.

The experiential store is also home to Starbucks’ Black Eagle, a semi-automated machine that makes your cup right in front of you. “Grinding, tamping, dosing, it all happens in full view,” says Vibhor.

The coffee selection at Starbucks Experiential store
| Photo Credit:
Prabalika M Borah

Of course, we had to taste what the buzz was about. First up: the red peru and kanthari chilli cold brew. A word of caution: this is not for die-hard caffeine seekers. The ice load dilutes the intensity, and while the slice of guava adds an aromatic touch, it does not bring much sweetness. You will catch the chilli only as a faint tingle at the back of your throat. That said, the tamarind red peru shikanji cold brew could win fans of bold, tangy, chaat-inspired flavours.

Vibhor assured us that these cold brews can be customised for less ice, something we would recommend for those who want their coffee to speak louder.

The winner is the Malabar coconut cream latte. Smooth, creamy, and with just the right hint of coconut — like the malai from a rich curry meets a fine espresso.

Whether you are a curious sipper or a brewing purist, this new Starbucks outpost offers a full-bodied experience.