Drift Café & Bar: Mumbai’s New European-Inspired Haven for an All-Day Indulgence
- Featured Food & Beverage
Yashita Damani- 8 minutes read
After successful ventures like Comorin and Fireback, EHV International has launched Drift in Mumbai, its newest all-day café and bar, which opened on August 10 at Nilaya Anthology.
Perched above The Orangery, Drift brings European café sensibilities and an ingredient-forward menu to a design-led space that perfectly captures Mumbai’s evolving dining culture and we at LuxeBook had a firsthand opportunity to give it a try.
We began our meal with the salads: the delicate lentil and millet salad furnished with barley, ragi, potenta croutons, avocado, pomegranate. dressed with honey vinaigrette and the tender gourd, beetroot & fennel salad which was a bright and refreshing start to the evening; setting the tone beautifully (so good that we had to call for seconds). A masterclass in balance: the citrus vinaigrette danced on my palate with lively zing of a zesty grapefruit, while the orange segments, creamy feta, peppery arugula, and crunchy sunflower seeds added the freshest layers of texture and flavour. The quinoa in the millet salad made it surprisingly hearty without ever feeling heavy, despite having the pulse of speedy lentils; both salads so good, we could not resist ordering it twice (both in small portions), making it easy to sample more from the menu.
Following this was the Jerk Spice Roasted Broccoli: a smoky, deeply roasted brocolli, and kissed with a hint of coconut cream. It reminded me of the beloved Khow suey- not Burmese, but elevated to elegant heights. This charred vegetable had that addictive umami and spice combo that made it one of my standout favourites on the table. (I’m definitely coming back just for this.)
Next came the Blue & Goats Cheese Mille Feuille: (tasted as rich as it looks) a layered marvel of slow-cooked tomatoes, briny kalamata olives, crisp green apple slices, and crunchy hazelnuts. The thin, flaky crust somehow held the intensely exotic, heavy-(slightly overpowering cheese for my liking) blend, making it a bold, adventurous dish that really pushes the palate. The brie was giving blue blood for real.
But our personal favourite from everything on the table: the true star- was the Tarte Flambée. Calling it better than pizza isn’t just an exaggeration. The crust was almost non-existent: paper-thin, flaky, and sublime. I was so captivated that I spoke to the chef, who delightedly shared the story behind it- inspired by the Alsace region in France, this flatbread features delicate fromage blanc, tender leeks, caramelized onions, and zucchini. My dad, who prefers Jain food and avoids eating onions, was astonished to find the caramelised onions so subtle they barely registered: a testament to the chef’s finesse. The cheese layer was whisper-thin, ethereal, and absolutely sublime.
What truly fascinated me was the story Chef Sumit transported me to- a Swiss-French baker’s ritual of tossing the flatbread into the oven just to test if it was hot enough, a charming nod to old-world technique that made the entire dining experience feel wholesome and authentic.
The meal continued with the Croque Monsieur, roasted with tomato, zucchini, and parmesan. The fresh raspberries, blueberries, and green apples in my French Toast added a bright, tart counterpoint, while the soufflé au chocolat – 70% dark, intensely chocolatey, and paired with velvety vanilla ice cream- was a heavenly finish. My mom loved this one, while the chocolate was a bit too bitter for my taste, but that’s the beauty of the balance right there. I also have to highly recommend the Sunchoke & Truffle Agnolotti pasta: a buttery, luxurious dish served with slow-cooked tomatoes, and crispy sunchoke chips. Every bite felt like savoring the best butter in the world, the texture light and airy, melting on the tongue with decadent ease.
Attention to detail extended to dessert, where I was treated to an off-menu delight: an eggless Earl Grey tea mousse taco. It was perfectly aromatic, subtly sweet, and refreshingly light: ideal for those who prefer a gentler finish to their meal.
To accompany the feast, the date and cashew milkshake was a creamy triumph: a 10/10 for flavour intensity. Although it filled us up early on, I personally felt it was the best milkshake I’ve had in a while, packed with the unexpected richness of cashews and warmth.
The interiors of Drift add to the experience: designed by London’s Russell Sage Studio alongside Indian architects Incubis Consultants, the space is anchored by a dramatic wave-like ceiling that casts a soft, warm glow. Warm wood tones and subtle cane accents create an inviting atmosphere that effortlessly transitions from relaxed daytime café vibes to a stylish bar perfect for after-work drinks and DJ nights. It’s a space meant for family, friends, or solo visits: where the day drifts gracefully into night.
By the end of the meal, feeling blissfully full, I regretted missing out on the soufflé pancakes from the breakfast menu, which I’ve already marked for my next visit. This was a sumptuous, hearty Sunday meal shared with my family, complete with my dad’s hot green tea and a cinnamon-spiced hot toddy: the latter becoming my personal favourite for its digestive benefits and soothing cinnamon warmth.
Drift’s small but perfectly curated portions mean you can sample a variety of dishes without feeling overwhelmed, a smart way to explore this vibrant menu. From the meticulous plating and presentation to the subtle complexities of each flavour, every detail is thoughtfully considered.
But ultimately, it’s the story behind the Tarte Flambée: that sublime, paper-thin flatbread from Alsace with its delicate layers and traditional baking ritual, that stays with me as the highlight of this exceptional new spot.
Drift opens daily from 11 am to 1 am, seating 25 guests in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re after specialty coffee, a leisurely lunch, or a twilight cocktail, Drift is a welcome addition to Mumbai’s dynamic dining scene: a place you’ll want to drift to again and again.
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