#ELLEGourmetExclusive: There's A New ‘Perch’ For Delhi Where Community, Craft And Culture Take Centre Stage

Long before Delhi had a coffee-and-wine culture of its own, Perch made a quiet yet confident entry in the city’s beloved Khan Market. Over the past decade, the brand has expanded to neighbourhood favourites such as Vasant Vihar, Greater Kailash 2 and Saket, and even crossed cities to Mumbai.

Across locations, what has remained constant is Perch’s minimalism, warm hospitality and unhurried pace of being. That ethos comes through most clearly at the café’s newest outpost in the Humayun’s Tomb Museum precinct, right beside the city’s favourite picnic spot, Sunder Nursery. The 65-cover café, spread across indoor and alfresco seating, is dominated by earthy tones with hints of green and a thoughtfully stacked bookshelf—most of the titles currently borrowed from managing director Sandeep Bishnoi’s personal collection. 

At the entrance, a display of fresh bakes immediately draws you in. Step further inside, and the coffee bar becomes the focal point; take a high stool to watch the barista at work. At the heart of the space sits the community table, arguably the café’s true centrepiece, best claimed if you’re in the mood to strike up conversations with fellow regulars who linger as long as you do.

While other Perch cafés are frequented by couples, solo hustlers, bookworms and devoted coffee-and-wine lovers, this location has an added layer of charm. With the park next door, families and children are a constant presence. Soon, even paw parents will feel at home, with the café planning complimentary treats for furry companions.

Freshness As Focus

From its inception, Perch has placed a strong emphasis on quality ingredients, which explains why it has long been a favourite with the fitness-conscious. At this new outlet, that focus feels even more pronounced, with runners often stopping by for a nourishing breakfast. The choices are generous—think Granny Smith and cinnamon bircher muesli, homemade granola with berry and yoghurt parfait, and eggs made to order. If you prefer something more elaborate, the green and white omelette with cranberry and kale, or the Eggs Benedict on a polenta-crusted English muffin, are worth ordering. And on cheat days, the mascarpone and citrus French toast served on a croissant loaf hits the sweet spot, its citrusy-creamy balance packing a punch.

If sunlit brunches or late evenings are your jam, there’s a comforting platter of dishes to explore. The French onion grilled cheese sandwich, with its gentle hint of sweetness, is an instant pick-me-up. Among the pastas, the rigatoni with toasted pumpkin, béchamel and walnuts is ideal for sharing—it can get a touch heavy otherwise.

 

There are salads and bowls to choose from, too, but the Perch classics deserve attention. The pan-tossed shrimp and calamari with lime chilli dressing is light, refreshing and will disappear within minutes. The miso grilled chicken with seasonal vegetables makes for a heartier plate, especially satisfying if you enjoy bold miso flavours. Dining solo? The focaccia flatbreads are filling without being messy; the wild mushroom and fig with quattro formaggi stand out for its play on textures.

Vegetarian options are thoughtfully done, from wild mushroom tacos with mojo verde to parsley falafel on hummus with warm pita and house pickles. Pescetarians and meat lovers aren’t left out either—the grilled sea bass fillet and Bavarian pork sausage deliver on flavour, presentation and portion size.

No matter how full you are, skipping dessert here would be a mistake. The freshly baked pecan pie and babka are excellent, but for something more playful, take your pick from the waffle bar. Choose between classic or millet waffles and top them with whipped mascarpone, homemade almond butter, Mexican chocolate ganache, orange jam, honey, toasted hazelnuts and more. Add a scoop of honeycomb ice cream on the side; it’s entirely worth it.

Coffee And Conversations

For many, Perch is a mecca for coffee, and rightly so. The menu covers everything from classics like espresso, americano and cappuccino to matcha lattes and cold brews. But what I’d return for is the iced Vietnamese coffee—sharp, with a subtle sweetness, and thankfully free of the sugar overload found elsewhere. On days when you want something lighter, the Coffee Shrub with tonic is a standout. It’s gently tangy and refreshing in every sip.

Non-coffee drinkers are also well taken care of. With winter upon us, the hot chocolate made with coconut milk is a good choice—creamier yet lighter, especially if you don’t want to feel weighed down after. There’s a wide selection of smoothies and fresh juices, too. I opted for a mix of pear, cucumber, mint, lemon, kale and pineapple—which sounded like a mish-mash but went down alarmingly fast. Balanced, not overly sweet or tangy, it hit all the right notes. The refreshers, featuring unusual combinations like peanut butter, mint, watermelon, lime and honey, will have to wait for another visit.

Wine and cocktails are slated to be introduced in January.

ELLE Gourmet’s Verdict

Perch’s food and beverage programme has always been solid, but this new outpost adds community and culture into the mix. With entrepreneur and award-winning filmmaker Yasmin Kidwai on board as cultural ambassador, expect music and poetry gatherings, evenings with heritage storytellers, Sip & Stroll interpretive walks, and a craft and textile series spotlighting artisan voices. Watch out!

Where: Perch, World Heritage Site Museum, Cafe 3, Government Sunder Nursery Management Trust Facility Block of Nizamuddin, Humayun's Tomb, New Delhi, Delhi 110003

Timings: 8 am-8 pm

Price: Rs 1800+ taxes for two

Reservations: No reservation policy