Albeit, offering a dynamic foodscape to the foodies, Karachi may not have many cafes in store which offer a good break to the fast. On the list is Mocca, which offers an extensive all-day-breakfast menu and exceptional coffee brews to suit an early-riser’s fancy. Located at the gastronomically-popular Shahbaz Lane, the café promises gourmet delicacies and fine patisserie. Walking inside its premises on a sunny Sunday was bliss, as light bounced through the windows and inundated its large space with a freshness which could be felt. Cashing on minimalist Scandinavian theme, the eatery’s crisp-white walls, almost-white leatherette chairs and wooden interiors are soothing to the eye. A pristine counter a-topped with clocks features time zones from around the globe. Bright French macaroons enclosed in glass container are perhaps the only colours in sight. Skimming through their extensive menu, we were happy to find their breakfast side offering several choices of omelettes. On an earlier visit I had tried their Mocca Brunch which constitutes of a choice of omelette, beverage or a detox smoothie, wedges and scones along with a yummy jar of low-fat yoghurt with seasonal fruits and blueberry pancakes dribbled with syrup. The tray has ample savouries and sweets to feed two and I would most certainly recommend to a first-timer at Mocca. However this time, three friends and I decided to try out other omelettes – we placed an order for Spicy Huevos Rancheros Omelette and Chicken Mushroom Omelette. The restaurant also allows you to ‘build-your-own-omelette’, an option reserved for those who are extra pesky about their first meal of the day. We also ordered fresh fruit with low-fat yoghurt and granola along with club sandwiches. Our server insisted we also give their Mexicali Chicken from Grilled Panini’s section a shot and added it our order. Early-morning ravenous, we were glad to see our breakfast arrived within a fifteen-minutes break, eggs being the first to land on our table. I dug into my rancheros omelette, a bit staggered to find a swath of sauce inside it since I like to have my eggs dry. Loaded with shreds of sauteed tomatoes, olives and onions, the omelette was delicious with the rancheros sauce adding a distinct kick to its condiments. For people who like their eggs spicy, this would make for an omelette of their dreams. Chicken and Mushroom omelette was layered with grilled chicken strips and flavoured mushrooms, seasoned with the usual pepper crushing. I liked how spiced-up mushroom added a spin of flavour to the otherwise mildly seasoned eggs, but my rancheros omelette was the clear winner between the two. We all bit into club sandwiches with sips of steaming cappuccino and found them to be alright, wishing the filling could have a little more spice to it. Our spice-cravings were answered with the Mexicali Panini – savoury kicks rendered by paprika and jalapenos flavoured chicken stuffed inside a toasted Panini along with hot melts of cheese, tomatoes and olives. I liked it at first bite but found its overall flavour similar to my rancheros eggs – turns out both the eggs and Panini were seasoned with the same rancheros sauce. We were full to the brim when our low-fat yoghurt arrived – presented in a white plate and decorated with immaculately cut apple slices. Maple syrup melded with the flavours of sweetened cold yoghurt with chewy granola adding a welcome crunch to it, making for a low-fat dessert dream.

Location: Khayaban-e-Shahbaz, D.H.A Phase 6, Karachi.
Average cost for 2: PKR 2,500 approx.

TASTE
Mocca’s eggs were on-point and delicious, with a versatile menu packing flavours and choices for everyone. Plus their cappuccino and white latte had us blessing their barista, making it a perfect spot for morning coffee runs.

AMBIENCE
Easy on the eyes, the minimalist Scandinavian theme of the restaurant is very welcoming in the morning. Owing to its spacious and clutter-free area, every sound is amplified making the eatery slightly noisy during business hours.

SERVICE
Mornings at the restaurant are super-busy and you can expect the service to be slightly slow, yet our food was served timely.

PRESENTATION
You feed with your eyes first and the chef makes sure your breakfast is well-presented and Instagrammable. 

VALUE FOR MONEY
Qualifying for an upscale eatery, prices are kept high here. With the exception of the breakfast menu, all sections are priced marginally elevated. But Mocca serves a niche, which we’re here to pay for.