Poushalee Dey
Google
Tucked away in the heart of Kalyani Nagar, Cobbler & Crew has carved a niche for itself in Pune’s bustling F&B scene. Recently ranked #7 on the 30 Best Bars India 2024 list, it more than lives up to the hype. With its refined interiors, warm lighting, and laid-back yet sophisticated vibe, this bar is where great conversations and great cocktails meet.
The bar team here doesn’t just make drinks—they craft them. We kicked off our evening with two standouts from their Summer Cocktails menu—the Mango and the Jamun. While the former (Tequila, Alphonso Mango, Jalapeño) had our expectations riding high, it was the latter (Gin, Jamun, Kaffir Shrub, Fizz) that absolutely blew us away. Fresh, fragrant, and unexpectedly addictive—it set the tone for the evening.
From the “Specials from the Kitchen”, we tried the Lotus Root—crispy, Chettinad-spiced slices with lime mayo and Thai chili garlic. Unlike the typical sticky-sauced versions served elsewhere, this was elevated, nuanced, and perfectly paired with the cocktails. The Miso Glazed Chicken Skewers were next—and they stole the show. Juicy, perfectly grilled, plated with flair, and served with togarashi mayo—this dish alone would warrant a repeat visit.
Hungry for more, we moved on to the Kala Mutton Tacos—a bold, flavour-packed twist on the traditional with tender spiced mutton nestled in soft tacos. The Butter Chilli Garlic Prawns, though, were the crown jewel. Cooked in prawn stock and topped with a crispy garlic streusel, they were as pretty to look at as they were indulgent. Our only gripe? The bread on the side was a tad over-toasted—we’d have loved it slightly softer to mop up that divine sauce.
To reset our palates, we ordered two more cocktails from the regular menu—Picante (Tequila, Passion Fruit, Jalapeño, Kaffir Lime) and Candy Cashback (Tequila, Mango, Truffle, Pineapple, Bocconcini). Both were visually stunning, thanks to their quirky garnishes, and packed a flavorful punch—especially the Picante with its sweet-spicy balance.
We wrapped up with the Turkish Chicken Shish Taouk, which came with mint labneh, pickles, and biwas. It was solid, though we felt it could’ve used a touch more acidity to round things out.
Dessert was a shared celebration. Their exclusive Bailey’s Soft Serve was decadent, creamy, and spiked with notes of vanilla and coffee—so good that one serving barely felt like enough. The Multifloral Honey Gelato was more delicate and mellow—a perfect contrast, and the comfort we didn’t know we needed.
Service was another highlight. A huge shout-out to Sagar and Surojit, whose warm hospitality and pitch-perfect recommendations elevated our experience tenfold. It’s rare to find service this thoughtful and attentive without being overbearing.
Whether you're a local or just passing through Pune, Cobbler & Crew is a must-visit. Come for the cocktails, stay for the food, and leave with plans to return.
