Café des Arts
₹₹ Mid-range · 58, Capitaine Marius Xavier Street, White Town
A colonial mansion with a walled garden, Café des Arts is the closest thing Pondicherry has to a Parisian courtyard café. French pastries, fresh salads, crepes, and waffles served under the trees.
Set inside a heritage building in the French Quarter, Café des Arts manages to feel both colonial and relaxed. The outdoor garden is the draw: shaded tables, bougainvillea overhead, and a pace that encourages you to stay longer than you planned.
The food spans French classics and light international dishes. The summer salad (cucumber, mint, watermelon, feta, pumpkin seeds, and almonds) is one of the best things on the menu. The caramelized banana crepe is worth the visit alone. To drink, try the local ginger beer brewed nearby in Auroville.
Weekend mornings bring a queue. Come on a weekday if you want a table without a wait.
Must Order
- Summer salad: cucumber, mint, watermelon, feta, pumpkin seeds, almonds
- Caramelized banana crepe
- Auroville ginger beer
- Almond croissant
Tip: Very busy on weekend mornings. Weekday visits are calmer and you get your pick of the garden tables.
Hours: Open daily, approximate hours 8am to 10pm (check locally)
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