The best coffee shops in Nagaland
A passionate tribe of coffee enthusiasts has brought industry-leading roasting standards, global aesthetics, and a vibe reminiscent of big city cafes making it the coffee hub in North-East India
With its vibrant coffee scene, Nagaland is stepping out of the shadow of insurgency, and joining the growing café culture across the country. Coffee production was initiated here in the early 1980s with help from the Coffee Board of India, but the project was abandoned in 1991 for various reasons including manipulation by middlemen and political unrest. The state government led a revival in 2015, and brought about policies that have shaped Nagaland into one of the major coffee producers from North-East India, with Kohima, Mokokchung, Tseminyu and Zunheboto districts being the top regions growing Arabica coffee.
As a result, most cafés in the state today take pride in serving coffee that is grown locally. A growing number of coffee entrepreneurs, who opened these cafés post lockdown, have introduced industry-leading roasting standards, global aesthetics, and a vibe reminiscent of big city cafes.
Here are five of the buzziest coffee shops to bookmark for your Nagaland trip.
Été Coffee Roasters, Kohima
If there is one café, and one person who stands head and shoulders above others in Naga coffee, it is Été Coffee Roasters led by Lichan Huntsoe. Started in 2016, Été Coffee claims to be the first specialty coffee roasting company in North-East India. Their main branch at Billy Graham Road also boasts of the Été Coffee School & Laboratory, and Été Coffee Equipment Store. Huntsoe says his school has trained many of the baristas in the state.
At Été Coffee, one can now find bakes, along with some of the best brews in the region. Try the Été special drink called Coffee On The Rocks, a fun take on the Americano created by Huntsoe. It also has an online retail store (etecoffeeroasters.com).
Billy Graham Rd, Kohima, Nagaland 797001
Nagaland Coffee, Kohima
Nagaland Coffee is helmed by Vivito Yeptho, one of the first certified baristas in the state. The outlet near Kohima’s city centre opened in 2023, and is tucked away from the busy vendors and traffic below. On a particularly rainy morning, I parked myself at the café, and read up about the picturesque Dzukou Valley trek I had signed up for the next day.
As far as the coffee is concerned, go for the pourover. The food menu has pork fried rice, burgers, noodles and sausages. If Kohima is too far right now, order their single estate coffees (available on nagalandcoffee.com) that are named after the coffee-growing districts such as Khar, Mon, Wokha and Zunheboto.
Zonal Taxi Stand, opposite Rendezvous Restaurant, near Bank of Baroda, Kohima, Nagaland 797001
Garrison Hill Centre & Café, Kohima
Opened in 2025, Garrison Hill Centre and Café is located opposite the War Cemetery in Kohima, and is known for its specialty coffee and local teas. The café has its own illustrated war book about the 1944 Battle of Kohima from the time of World War II. I spent over two hours absorbing everything, from the history of the fierce battle that I was never taught in school, to the decor that includes war maps and helmets. The food menu boasts of fresh bakes such as danishes, cakes and puffs, and also ramen bowls. The café looks out into the Kohima valley offering some of the most spectacular views of the city skyline.
Midland, Kohima, Nagaland 797001
Juro Coffee House, Dimapur
Juro Coffee House can be well mistaken for a chic European café, with its alfresco section, and high ceilings flanked by its roastery and coffee counter. Founded by Searon Yanthan, the spanking new coffee house opened in January, and is a prominent addition to the city’s emerging coffee scene. Yanthan started his journey with Lithanro, a coffee company that sold beans sourced from across Nagaland to other roasters before Juro happened.
When I order a pourover, Yanthan walks in to prepare my coffee with the finesse and precision of a professional barista. He also leaves a note with the flavour notes of the coffee along with my order. The spot also serves an all-day breakfast menu, and has a section for baked treats upstairs. Juro accepts orders for their coffee via Instagram (@jurocoffeehouse).
CT Square Mall, Near Dominos, F1-F5, 7th Mile, Chumoukedima, Nagaland 797103
Shiro Roastery, Dimapur
Styled around a Korean coffeehouse, Shiro Roastery is where the younger generation hangs out in Dimapur. Shiro, which translates to white in Japanese, embodies minimalism, and is inspired by founder Rowang Debbarma’s travels across Asia. Debbarma worked as a photographer for Amazon Prime and Ola Foods before returning home to set up Shiro Roastery in 2022.
The Instagram-friendly café serves specialised lattes such as Raspberry Latte and Honey Cinnamon Latte. For a stronger blend, the Irish Coffee with Jameson whisky is a good option. The bakery items including croissants, Japanese milk buns and doughnuts are sourced from local producers. Don’t forget to check out their merchandise on the way out.
Walford Rd, Bank Colony, Dimapur, Nagaland 797112
Priyanko Sarkar is a Mumbai-based writer covering the F&B industry.
topics
