There are cafés that serve good pastry, and then there is Lavonne, which pretty much shaped Bengaluru’s pastry culture. Started in 2012 by three chefs who wanted to build a serious pastry school, Lavonne grew from training professionals into running cafés that feel both polished and approachable. If you’ve eaten a really good croissant in this city, chances are the baker either trained here or was inspired by it.
The flagship Indiranagar café’s on a quieter street just off Double Road, and the set-up is fuss-free: clean white walls, wooden accents, tables that don’t feel squeezed together. There’s a small outdoor area shaded by trees, which turns into the best spot on a breezy afternoon. It’s not trying to be Instagram bait, and that’s refreshing.
The pastry counter is always the main attraction. Croissants – plain, almond, or chocolate – hold their shape and give you that satisfying flake when you bite in. Quiches are hearty without being heavy, spinach and ricotta being a reliable pick. Then come the cakes, which rotate but almost always include mousse-based entremets with layers of cream, sponge, and glaze that look delicate but taste properly rich. On weekends, these go fast. By evening, you’re often left with only a couple of options, so regulars know to swing by earlier in the day.
The savoury menu is shorter. The Louisiana fried burger is their standout – it's slow roasted pork with hoisin sauce in a soft bun, messy in the right way. There are sandwiches and salads too, good for when you want something lighter before diving into a pastry. Coffee here is solid but not obsessive. A cappuccino or flat white will get the job done, but the point of Lavonne is always what’s on the plate.
Service is friendly and quick, even when the place is full, which it usually is. You’ll see everyone here: students with laptops, families sharing cake, couples catching up, and the occasional box being packed for a celebration. That’s part of what makes Lavonne feel important to the city. It’s where birthdays are ordered from, where visiting friends get taken, where people splurge when they need cheering up.
Over the years, Lavonne has added cafés in Whitefield, St Mark’s Road, Bellandur, and even one in Delhi, but Indiranagar still feels special. It’s the original, and it still sets the tone for how pastry should be done here.
The vibe
Bright, warm, and unpretentious. Indoors for focus, outdoors for slow afternoons.
The food
Pastry first: croissants, quiches, entremets, with a pork burger that holds its own.
The drink
Coffee that plays a supporting role.
Time Out Tip:
Visit before noon on weekends. By later in the day, the best cakes will already be gone.