When you want to ‘work-from-cafe’, there are a few spots in the city that spring to mind. When you think of a good cup of coffee, food and ambience, another list comes to mind. Where these two trails of thought intersect is where you find 8th Day Cafe & Bakery, which just completed eight years in Kolkata.
In 2015, Grant Walsh opened the first 8th Day Cafe & Bakery to give Kolkata a taste of the “American experience” right from the ambience to the product. The flagship outlet opened at 6, West Range (diagonally opposite The Conclave). At that time, the only other cafe within walking distance was Riyaaz Amlani’s Mocha, which permanently closed later, and then King’s Bakery opened on the same stretch in 2018.
“My lingering thought was — would people come?” wrote Walsh in a nostalgic Facebook post on the first day of the cafe’s opening. His son Judah sat outside until the first guest walked in. “Eventually someone came in and bought a dozen chocolate chip cookies (which to this day is still our best seller).... We ran out of food by early evening.”
“8th Day came from this idea that there are seven days in a week, therefore, the 8th day is your day — a day separate from your normal week where you can find something new and joyful,” shares Walsh.
8th Day’s outlets on Jatin Bagchi Road and (right) Salt Lake Sector III. ‘Our cafes are usually packed from 5pm till closing time,’ says Walsh
Today, there are three branches in the city. The second outlet opened in September 2018 on Jatin Bagchi Road (opposite Vivekananda Park) followed by the third serve in Salt Lake’s Sector III in February 2022. “We have plans for a fourth cafe in the near future. We are excited to keep entering new neighbourhoods of Kolkata. We also plan to expand our coffee roasting and baking units,” reveals Walsh.
In 2021, 8th Day Coffee Roasters was launched for wholesale and individual coffee purchase. Some of the other brand milestones and recognitions include ranking #1 out of 109 places for Coffee & Tea in Kolkata on Tripadvisor and receiving the Award for Excellence in 2021 from The Telegraph in the Cafe category.
“It has been a pleasure to have served this great city for eight years. Kolkata accepted us and loved us from Day One — it’s an honour and privilege to love the city back. 8th Day’s focus has only been Kolkata so far — we want to sink our roots deep here. We want to be focussed on what the city wants and needs,” signs off the cafe owner.
8 fun facts about 8th Day!
- Best-selling dish: Hummus Wrap
- Best-selling breakfast item: The West Range Omelette – it’s an oversized omelette served with double of everything along with a bean salsa topping and a bagel on the side
- Most ordered coffee: The 8th Day Cappuccino. “It’s this coffee that has won us numerous awards!” says Walsh.
An 8th Day Cappuccino being made
- Swiggy/Zomato favourite: Our famous Chocolate Chunk cookie
Chocolate Chunk cookies
- Outlet where people spend the most time: Hindustan Park outlet with the amazing outdoor seating overlooking Vivekananda Park… the vibe draws you in!
- First to introduce this food trend to Kolkata: We were the pioneers of the authentic American cafe model in Kolkata. Because of this, we became known for our bagels, chewy cookies, and fresh salads, which are all popular in America.
- Best-selling new item: 8th Day Chicken Burger and our Cheesecake
- Most loved dessert: The Cinnamon Roll and Chocolate Chunk Cookie
The Cinnamon Roll