How to build a cafe in your apartment

The brothers behind Every Morning Cartel show you how.

- By ANAMICA NAIR

“WE'RE GLAD we launched in Kandivali,” says Neel Kanwarjani with a smile, referring to the cult cafe, Every Morning Cartel, he has run with his brother Rishiraj since 2024 from the western Mumbai suburb.

“People from Bandra and Juhu visit and wait in line. That’s never happened before.”

The brothers started their business serving speciality coffee out of a cart and with a rented espresso machine, which became so popular that many surrounding neighbourhood coffee shops were forced to shutter. Earlier this year, they appeared on Shark Tank India, where they raised ₹2 crore to expand their business. They recently opened a second outlet on the terrace of Worli’s Atria Mall, adjacent to some of the city’s best paddle courts.

Both are self-taught practitioners, learning their trade by travelling to coffee conventions across the world and picking up tips from some of the community’s best talents. Here's their quick guide to help you level up your home-brewing game.