The Hazelnut Factory Enters Uttarakhand With 23rd Outlet at Nainital’s Mall Road

The Hazelnut Factory (THF), a North India-based specialty coffee, artisanal mithai and café brand, has entered Uttarakhand with the opening of THF Lakehouse on Mall Road in Nainital. The outlet, inaugurated on 10th August 2026, is the brand’s 23rd outlet and brings its portfolio of artisanal mithai, desserts, specialty coffee, bakery products and all-day dining to the hill destination.

Located overlooking Nainital Lake, THF Lakehouse has been designed as a café and dining space serving both local residents and visitors. The launch was attended by Smt. Sarita Arya, MLA of the Nainital Assembly Constituency.

The Nainital opening expands THF’s presence beyond its existing North Indian markets. Founded in Lucknow, the company has developed a food and beverage format combining artisanal Indian sweets with specialty coffee, bakery, patisserie and café dining.

Ankit Sahni, Founder & CEO of The Hazelnut Factory, who spent his school years in Nainital, said, “Nainital has always held a very special place in my heart. I spent my school years here, and to return to the city with something we have built from the ground up is an incredibly meaningful feeling. With THF Lakehouse, we wanted to create a space that feels connected to Nainital - warm, welcoming and rooted in its character, while bringing the quality, craftsmanship and hospitality that define The Hazelnut Factory. It is wonderful to see locals and travellers come together over good food, coffee and the simple joy of being in a beautiful place.”

The new outlet follows THF’s broader expansion strategy of combining traditional Indian flavours with contemporary café formats. Its entry into Nainital also gives the brand a presence in Uttarakhand’s tourism-driven hospitality market, where demand comes from both residents and seasonal visitors.

With THF Lakehouse, the company now operates 23 outlets, extending its footprint while continuing to combine mithai, specialty coffee, bakery and dining within a single retail-led hospitality format.