New Banana Café, Pondicherry

New Banana Café occupies an unassuming rooftop on Cazy Street, offering the sort of laid-back atmosphere that encourages guests to linger over lunch or spend an entire afternoon with coffee and conversation. The menu leans towards Continental comfort food with subtle French influences that reflect Puducherry's culinary character: savoury galettes, homemade quiches, gratins, salads, and a chicken pie that has developed an almost cult following among returning visitors.

Much of the café's appeal comes from its owner, Senthil, who is often personally involved in welcoming guests and serving tables, creating a warmth and familiarity that larger establishments rarely achieve. The cooking is honest, freshly prepared, and consistently good, while the prices remain remarkably affordable for White Town, making it a favourite among long-term visitors, expatriates, and locals alike.

New Banana Café has never relied on heavy promotion. Instead, it has built its reputation quietly through word of mouth, with many visitors discovering it almost by accident before making it a regular stop on subsequent trips to Puducherry.