Headline ranges
| City | Micromarket tier | Total capex (₹) | Sqft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | Suburb (HSR, Whitefield) | 28-38L | 600-900 |
| Bengaluru | Prime (Indiranagar, Koramangala) | 38-52L | 700-1,000 |
| Mumbai | Suburb (Andheri East, Mulund) | 35-48L | 600-900 |
| Mumbai | Prime (Bandra, Lower Parel) | 48-65L | 700-1,000 |
Line item 1: equipment — ₹6-12 lakhs
Café equipment is lighter than full-service: commercial espresso machine (₹2-5L), grinder (₹40-80k), under-counter fridge (₹80k-1.2L), display chiller (₹60-90k), blender, oven, prep tables, dishwasher (optional for small cafés). Mumbai adds 5-8% on bulky delivery into south Mumbai.
Line item 2: interiors — ₹10-22 lakhs
Café fit-out runs ₹1,200-2,800/sqft depending on finish. Bengaluru suburbs at ₹1,200-1,600/sqft for a clean contemporary look. Mumbai Bandra at ₹2,200-2,800/sqft. The biggest swing: furniture (₹2-4L for 30-40 covers) and HVAC (₹1.5-3.5L).
Line item 3: deposit — ₹6-18 lakhs
Café rents run ₹120-350/sqft. At 800 sqft and ₹200/sqft (Bengaluru mid-tier), monthly rent is ₹1.6L; deposit at 6 months = ₹9.6L. Mumbai Bandra at ₹300/sqft on 800 sqft = ₹2.4L rent, ₹14-18L deposit.
Line item 4: licences — ₹1.5-3 lakhs
FSSAI, GST, Shop & Establishment, Trade Licence, Fire NOC, Signage, Music (PPL + IPRS). Mumbai BMC adds Eating House and Health Trade in some wards — budget 30% more than Bengaluru BBMP for the same format.
Line item 5: working capital — ₹4-8 lakhs
Cafés have lower fixed costs than restaurants but still need 30-45 days runway. Bengaluru suburb café at ₹2.5L monthly fixed needs ₹4-5L working capital. Mumbai prime at ₹4.5L fixed needs ₹7-8L.