Starbucks Chennai’s experiential store
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Coffee is no longer just a beverage. It is a lifestyle. It fosters community. But sometimes, it can feel intimidating to be part of this community, because there is so much to learn. Over 70 countries worldwide grow, roast, and produce their own coffee. Coffee can taste different based on where and at what elevation it is grown, how long it is roasted, how it is ground, how it is brewed, and even how it is served.
But what if there was a space where the nuances of this simple looking bean are dissected and explained? A space where learning about coffee is an experience. That is the premise of Starbucks’ newest launch in Chennai; Tamil Nadu’s first experiential store, and only the fifth of its kind in India, which opened this week in Abhiramapuram.
“This is the only store in Chennai that has 15 different roasts that you can buy, and they are from different parts of the world. There’s a beautiful Black Eagle coffee machine that allows the baristas to make personalised crafted cups of coffee for you. There’s a brew bar which allows discovery with brewing styles and methods,” said Mitali Maheshwari, head, Product and Marketing, Tata Starbucks, at the opening of the store.
Coffee at Starbucks Chennai’s experiential store
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Beyond the machines and roasts, the store brings the coffee experience to life with a curated menu exclusive to this location, which includes sandwiches and lunch meal bowls. Guests can explore India-inspired beverages like the cinnamon jaggery latte, Malabar coconut cream latte, cocoa bird’s eye chilli latte, and tamarind red peroo shikanji cold brew, making each visit as much about the tasting and discovery as it is about the drink itself.
“At Starbucks, we source coffee from more than 40 countries, and each geography brings its own unique flavour,” added Vibhor Mishra, coffee ambassador, Starbucks China and Asia Pacific and regional director, Operations, Starbucks India. “Different roast profiles bring out different notes, which means every time you brew a cup, a new array of flavours can come to the surface.” As guests sampled the line-up, it became clear that some drinks were aimed at black coffee loyalists, while others leaned sweeter for those easing into the ritual.
Starbucks Chennai’s experiential store
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
By design, the store is not just a place to order a latte and leave. It invites customers to slow down and ask questions. With tasting sessions, personalised brews, and storytelling built into every corner, the space aims to make coffee culture more accessible. “Once every month, there will be an Introduction to Coffee workshop over the weekend, where guests can learn all about brewing methods, grinding, origins and more,” said Vibhor.
For a city that has long prided itself on its filter coffee culture, the experience centre adds another dimension to the conversation. It does not replace the familiar ritual of stainless-steel tumblers and frothy decoction, but instead opens a window into the wider world of coffee.
Starbucks’ experiential store at Abhiramapuram is open daily from 8am to 11pm.
Published – October 06, 2025 05:00 pm IST
