Nestled in the coastal town of Pondicherry in Southern India, Bread & Chocolate is a lively rooftop cafe incepted with the challenge of making great bread in India. The 90-seater cafe focuses on a thoughtfully crafted menu with locally sourced ingredients. Co-founded in 2022 the cafe is the brainchild of Daniel Trulson, who oversees the bread, and Fabien Bontems, who specialises in chocolate. At Rue De La Marine which also houses the prominent Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Bread & Chocolate is frequented by tourists, flocking to indulge in their signature crusty sourdough toasts and healthy salad bowls. With their bold and indulgent- slightly unconventional- flavours including parsley cashew cream, vodka-cured snapper tartine and more, the cafe’s ambience is as inviting as its nutritious servings. The spirit of coastal charm is served right from Bread & Chocolate’s entrance, where visitors are greeted with baluster columns and an arched entryway - at the centre of which are imposing double doors. They swing open to an airy and cosy courtyard accentuated by overhanging plants from the cafe’s verandah. Perched atop a few flights of stairs, the café is sheltered by a charming wooden shed that overlooks a landscape teemed with vegetation. The design allows ample natural light and a breeze to flow through the space enhancing the dining experience, while visitors indulge in flaky croissants, smoothie bowls, and sandwiches. An additional nook stocked with artisanal and gourmet foods from other homegrown names such as Subko, Bontem’s own Mason & Co. chocolates, Urban Platter and more. They can be browsed through after a savoury and laid-back afternoon or an evening at the cafe. What truly makes this space a must-visit is the absence of extra textures or shapes, allowing the visitors to disconnect and disengage - while you are whisked off to a tranquil retreat.