Vadodara's oldest cafe, brewing filter coffee beside Premanand Hall in Dandia Bazar since 1954. Despite the South Indian menu of dosas, idli and vada, the dish it is famous for is Puna missal, a fiery sprouted-pulse curry with farsan and pav. Small, old and permanently busy.
Canara Coffee House has been operating beside Premanand Hall in Dandia Bazar since 1954, making it the oldest cafe in Vadodara and a fixed point in the old city's daily routine. The name and much of the menu point south, with filter coffee brewed in the Karnataka manner, masala dosa, idli, vada and uttapam, but the dish that actually built its reputation comes from the other direction: Puna missal, a Maharashtrian plate of sprouted-pulse curry under a heap of farsan, raw onion and coriander, served with soft pav and a bowl of extra rassa on the side. It is genuinely hot, and regulars order it with an additional pav to manage the heat. The room is small and dated, with marble-top tables, ceiling fans and a counter that has not changed much in decades, and it runs continuously from 8AM to 10:30PM so there is no closed window in the afternoon. Prices are low: missal lands around INR 100-160 (~$1.05-1.65), coffee INR 40-70 (~$0.40-0.75), and two people rarely spend over INR 400 (~$4.15). Dandia Bazar sits in the heart of old Vadodara, walkable from the Mandvi Gate market, Nyay Mandir and the old palace quarter, so it fits naturally into a morning of sightseeing. Peak hours around breakfast and early evening bring a wait for tables, which turn over quickly. No alcohol is served, as everywhere in the state.
| Price | $ |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 8AM-10:30PM |
| Reservations | Not accepted; walk-in only |
| Address | Beside Premanand Hall, Dandia Bazar, Jambubet, Vadodara, Gujarat 390001 |
Signature dishes
- Puna missal with pav
- South Indian filter coffee
- Masala dosa
- Idli sambar
Good to know
- Known for
- South Indian cafe fare; known for Puna missal with pav
Location
Beside Premanand Hall, Dandia Bazar, Jambubet, Vadodara, Gujarat 390001
22.3138, 73.1930 View on map
Highlights
- Vadodara's oldest cafe, brewing in Dandia Bazar since 1954
- Puna missal, a fiery sprouted-pulse plate with farsan and pav, is the house dish
- South Indian filter coffee and dosas from an unchanged counter
- Continuous service from 8AM to 10:30PM with no afternoon closure
Tips for visiting
- Order the Puna missal rather than the South Indian dishes; it is what regulars come for
- The missal is genuinely hot; order an extra pav and a sweet lassi alongside
- Tables turn over fast at breakfast and early evening, so a short wait is normal
- Combine with a walk through Mandvi Gate market and the old palace quarter
When to visit
Mid-morning after the breakfast rush, or early evening around 6PM; the missal is freshest when the rassa pot has just been replenished.
Accessibility
The cafe is a small street-level room in the crowded Dandia Bazar quarter with tightly packed tables and a narrow entrance, which is difficult for wheelchair users. The surrounding old-city lanes are congested with traffic and have limited pavement.
Frequently asked questions
What is Puna missal?
A Maharashtrian dish of spiced sprouted-pulse curry topped with crunchy farsan, raw onion and coriander, served with pav bread and a side bowl of hot rassa gravy.
How old is the cafe?
It has been trading beside Premanand Hall in Dandia Bazar since 1954, making it Vadodara's oldest cafe.
How much does a meal cost?
Missal is around INR 100-160 (~$1.05-1.65) and coffee INR 40-70 (~$0.40-0.75), with two people typically spending under INR 400 (~$4.15).
When is it open?
Daily from 8AM to 10:30PM, running continuously through the afternoon.