But First, Coffee

Meet the dynamic duo turning your daily caffeine fix into a cultural movement.

- By Diya J Verma

The quest for the perfect cup led two longtime friends to turn their passion into a flourishing business. Shiv Dhawan, co-founder, First Coffee, and Sohrab Sitaram, co-founder and CEO of the brand, joined forces in 2023 to dive into the rapidly growing market. Today, they are serving in 18 spots across Delhi-NCR and Chandigarh, as well as on Zomato and Swiggy. In conversation with Cosmopolitan India, they speak about the country's thriving café culture and how the right "blend" of conviction and confidence can brew a successful brand.

What inspired you to start First Coffee?

Shiv Dhawan (SD): Sohrab and I were fascinated by how coffee has transformed globally—from being just a beverage to becoming a lifestyle symbol. In India, though, there was still a gap. Most cafés were large and slow-moving or lacked a strong identity, and there was no concept that combined specialty, premium coffee with the speed and convenience of today's fast-paced lifestyle.

Sohrab Sitaram (SS): We wanted to reimagine how the country consumes coffee by creating a grab-and-go specialty format that merges the sophistication of single-origin Arabica beans with the accessibility of on-the-go convenience. Given my experience in scaling F&B brands and Shiv's passion for building new ones, we decided to set up a coffee brand that is high-quality, tech-driven, and culturally relevant for a younger audience who sees coffee as more than just a drink. It's a ritual, a vibe, and a lifestyle.

When and where did your love affair with coffee begin?

SD: I'm more of a cold coffee guy... I have about three glasses a day, and it's