By Hemant SharmaBack just a decade ago, there weren’t as many coffee shops or cafes in the country, but now, it is like these cafes are in trend right now, so much so that now there are thousands of them in the country. Literally in every city! That is mainly because there are a few coffee chains in India that have spread to different parts of the country, and they’re the ones providing this cafe experience to millions in India. Like, as of 2025, we all know that Cafe Coffee Day aka CCD is one of the most successful and biggest coffee chains in India, but does that make you wonder like which other names are down on this list? Well, that’s precisely what we will be taking a good look at with this post of the top 7 biggest coffee chains in India as of 2025, so here we go.
1. Café Coffee Day (CCD)
There is literally no way that you don’t know about Coffee Cafe Day, especially if you live in India. But why do we say that? Well, the thing is, this coffee chain has been around since 1996 and is still India’s largest coffee chain with 900 outlets or more, how about that now? Like, you’ll find it everywhere, you know, big cities, small towns, and even random highways. Everywhere!! And just so you know though, CCD was the first coffee brand to make coffee shops popular in India. Despite some financial issues recently, they’ve come back on their feet.
2. Barista
Are you aware of the fact that it was Barista that entered India’s coffee market, but not as a regular or affordable coffee brand, nah, instead they launched as a premium brand way back in 2000. Today, though, it has 450+ outlets across the country, which is just impressive growth if you think about it for a sec. Though Barista does not have as many outlets as CCD, it is one of the most loved coffee chains. The brand went through a rough patch but it is now growing without any hiccups. Barista doesn’t just have stores only in India, but also in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives. The place serves a strong cup of coffee with a classy feel. As a matter of fact, they have put it out there officially that Barista wants to reach 500 shops by the end of 2026, so yes, in a way, you can expect to see more of them soon enough!
3. Starbucks India
Oh, yes, this one is the Instagram-famous and Instagram-ready coffee chain, you know? And there is literally no way you haven’t heard of Starbucks yet, it is actually the biggest and most famous coffee chain, not just in India, but we’re talking about on the global stage. So, that’s that! A little bit of history here though, you see, Starbucks entered India in 2012 with the help of the Tata Group and from there on it hasn’t looked back, but how? Well, sure enough, with lots of branches in the country and a posh aka a bit luxurious interior, it is the coffee chain for those who want a bit extra. Sure, Starbucks is pricey but people still love the experience, quality and international feel, you know? The brand has a big dream to reach 1,000 stores by 2028 which means they are expanding at a great pace.
4. Costa Coffee
And next on the list, well, Costa Coffee is a UK-based brand, which has been in India since 2005, you know? Like, currently, it has around 179 outlets. We get it, it is not growing as fast as Starbucks yet, but it is still a decent name in premium coffee. Costa has smooth and rich coffee serving a relaxed atmosphere. Though, keep one thing in mind you’ll mostly find it in airports, malls, and big cities. If you want good quality coffee without the Starbucks hype, this place is for you. While they’re not the fastest-growing coffee chain, they are definitely holding their ground in India.
5. Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters
Alrighty, are you someone who wants that high-quality farm-to-cup coffee? Well, that’s precisely where we’d recommend what Blue Tokai has to offer, but why? Well, this one, you see, it started in 2013 and has over 130 outlets today. Low? Well, that’s how it is. Standard coffee chains are kinda boring ones usually. But not so with Blue Tokai, which basically has only fresh coffee. Like, they roast coffee in their four roasteries which means super fresh coffee roasting for your cup at every Blue Tokai outlet! Coffee lovers swear by it! You’re going to see a lot more Blue Tokai in your city soon as they plan to open 200 stores in the coming three years.
6. Third Wave Coffee
And then, yes, this one’s for the young crowd! Third Wave Coffee started in 2016 and has become one of India’s fastest-growing coffee brands with 108+ outlets. What makes it different? A modern, trendy café experience. Just so you know though, it serves 100% Arabica coffee, and the cafes have a great Instagrammable vibe which millennials and Gen Z love. And it’s only getting bigger! Just saying!
7. AbCoffee
Oh yes, we get it, this one is new so not a lot of people know about it, but still, they have managed to become a big name real soon. How? First of all, just know that AbCoffee started in 2022 and already has 60+ outlets. That many? Oh yes! And sure enough, they are kinda high-tech, speedy and open 24/7. How about that now? Like, now you can order for coffee with your QR codes, apps, and NFC touchpoints (no waiting in queues), which is just an insanely good thing if you think about it for a sec. They have a good target too, like, they want to open 150 outlets in the upcoming years, and a crazy ambitious target of 10,000 outlets in 10 years.
Conclusion
There you have it. If you talk about the best, top, and biggest coffee chains in the country, you have to talk about these top brands, especially right here in India. So, next time you’re out there looking forward to having some good coffee and enjoying that cafe experience, try out these coffee chains and you’ll see for yourself.