Restaurant India News: Common Time Debuts in Lodhi Colony at New Delhi

Common Time opens in Lodhi Colony at New Delhi bringing a contemporary café concept that redefines India’s coffee culture. 

Founded by Jaivardhan and Sagar Bhatia of the Bhatia Hospitality Group, Common Time embodies a global sensibility grounded in Indian creativity. Nestled in one of Delhi’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, it draws inspiration from the founders’ travels across Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Amsterdam, and Dubai—places where coffee transcends beverage to become an art form. Their vision was to introduce to India a brand that feels globally relevant, design-driven, and rooted in product purity.

Having already established Sidewalk, one of North India’s fastest-growing coffee chains, the duo envisioned Common Time as a refined evolution—a focused, elevated concept distilled to its essence, where coffee and bakes define the experience. Every element has intent; every detail is designed to be felt.

The interiors echo this philosophy. In collaboration with Sanchit Arora of RENESA Architecture Studio, the space marries Amsterdam’s bakery culture with the mindful minimalism of Japan. The result is a timeless, tactile environment defined by clean lines, handcrafted elements, and an intentional absence of clutter allowing the senses to fully absorb the aroma of coffee, the sound of pastry crackle, and the rhythm of design. At its centre stands a custom La Marzocco machine, the first of its kind in India, both functional and sculptural a tribute to craftsmanship.

Signatures like the Competition Latte (double ristretto), Brekkie for Adults (cereal-infused milk and espresso topped with cornflakes), and the New York Coco Americano (espresso foam with coconut water) reimagine modern coffee culture with playful sophistication. Innovation extends to Collagen-boosted beverages, a first-of-its-kind concept in India that bridges wellness and gastronomy. By infusing marine and plant-based collagen into select drinks, Common Time reframes coffee as a beauty-forward ritual, blending taste with tangible self-care benefits.

The food program mirrors this restraint and honesty. Inspired by Amsterdam’s morning bakeries, the menu features simple, ritual-worthy bakes from the Almond & Apple Croissant and Kimchi & Cheese Danish to the Cold Brew Brownie—crafted with premium ingredients and traditional techniques.

Speaking about the launch, Co-founder Jaivardhan Bhatia shares, “Common Time reflects the philosophy that has shaped my travels and approach to hospitality. Coffee, for me, is not just a drink,it’s a connector of people, cultures, and memories. With this space, we wanted to create a brand that feels at home in Delhi, yet ready for the world.”

Beyond coffee and bakes, Common Time expands into lifestyle. Its curated retail section showcases limited-edition apparel, accessories, fragrances, and coffee tools—each designed to extend the café’s ritual into daily life. With ongoing collaborations across fashion, self-care, design, and art, Common Time positions itself not merely as a café, but as a cultural platform where creativity, wellness, and craftsmanship converge.