The Selfie Latte

The Selfie Latte is tucked away on the second floor of Meena Tower in Chinarpark. We’re right above Aminia Restaurant, which most people in Kolkata know. Being on the second floor means we’re a bit away from the noise and exhaust of the main road. It’s not a huge place—just Flat No 1—so it feels more like a private apartment than a big commercial cafe. We spent a lot of time picking out the chairs and tables because we wanted a place where you could actually sit for an hour without your back hurting. It’s mostly just a few of us running the show. We make the coffee and prep the food ourselves in a small kitchen. Sometimes when it’s busy, things might take an extra minute or two because we aren't a fast-food chain with machines doing everything. We get a lot of younger people coming in to hang out, and we like that the atmosphere stays pretty relaxed. We don’t have fancy uniforms or a polished marketing plan. We just wanted a spot where the coffee is decent and the vibe is okay. The stairs up here can be a bit tiring if you’ve had a long day, but once you’re inside, it’s a nice break from the Kolkata heat. We keep the music low enough so you can actually hear your friends talking. It’s just a simple, local business where we try our best every day.