A Taste of Empathy: Pallavii Gupta, Founder of The Kind Shares Her Culinary Philosophy

An Exclusive Interview with Pallavii Gupta, the founder of The Kind, one of Bengaluru’s most distinctive vegetarian resto-cafés and roasteries

Pallavii Gupta, the visionary founder of The Kind, has created one of Bengaluru’s most distinctive vegetarian resto-cafés and roasteries.

In this interview, she shares her journey of blending conscious dining, sustainability, and creativity to craft a space where food, community, and compassion meet with meaningful purpose.

What inspired you to start The Kind and what does the name signify?

Pallavii Gupta: When you walk into The Kind, you step into a space that feels quietly restorative. Sunlit corners, earthy accents, and a thoughtful touch of green create an atmosphere that allows you to pause, exhale, and be.

But what lingers most is not just the serenity of the space, it’s the way the food itself feels like an extension of this gentleness.

Founded by Pallavii Gupta in 2023 with its first outlet in JP Nagar, The Kind has quickly grown to three locations across Bangalore, each echoing the same ethos: food, brews, spaces, and communities built on acts of kindness.

Kind Food lies at the heart of the experience, ingredient-forward, seasonal, mindful, and never conventional. Every dish begins with produce nurtured by farmers, handled with respect, and cooked with reverence, making it not just nourishing but more attuned to the human body.

This is not “just vegetarian food.” It’s food that surprises,whether it’s a buttery Korean Bun, a layered Java Cake, or a bowl of Tan Tan Noodles with an unexpected kick.

Inclusivity is the quiet strength of The Kind, Vegetarian, Vegan, Jain, gluten-free, or simply someone looking for eggless or no-gelatin bakes no diet is treated as an afterthought.

Every item on the menu is crafted with the same patience, creativity, and attention to detail. It’s this balance of innovation and empathy that keeps guests; families, young professionals, pet parents, and groups of friends,coming back, always curious for the next surprise.

Kind Brews reflect the same philosophy, with beans sourced exclusively from Indian estates and roasted into a house blend crafted for the Indian palate. Each cup is designed to comfort as much as it energizes.

Kind Planet is about responsibility that extends beyond the plate, plastic-free, 100% paper-based wherever possible, biodegradable packaging, and spaces that cocoon you in calm amidst the city’s hustle.

Kind People define the culture: intentional conversations through sip-and-paint and sober social sessions; community initiatives ranging from blood donation drives to mental health awareness and fund raisers.

Through puppy adoption efforts and sponsorship of girls’ education (supporting 11 children last year), The Kind nurtures futures as much as it nurtures appetites.

Kind Leadership powers it all. A rare, women-led company in the F&B space, The Kind is founded by a solo woman entrepreneur, with over 50% women running the operations and leadership that proves restaurateurs can be visionaries not only in the kitchen, but also in business.

Each outlet reflects these values in its own way,whether it’s the tranquil zen table in JP Nagar or the pet-friendly warmth of Indiranagar and Bellandur. Everywhere, service carries the same spirit: thoughtful, intentional, and always leaving guests with a smile.

The Kind is built around mindfulness and community — how do those values translate into your menu and dining experience?

Pallavii Gupta: Mindfulness, creativity, inclusivity, warmth and community shape every decision we make from how our food is prepared to how our guests are welcomed and even how they are feeling when they exit.

Our menu is intentionally curated with vegetarian, plant-based, jain and gluten-free options that honor both inclusivity and variety. Our spaces, events and activities encourage genuine connection whether it’s through a quiet cup of coffee or a lively conversation among friends.

Dining at The Kind is less about consumption and more about experience, one rooted in awareness, presence, and warmth. To experience vegetarian dining like never before.

The Kind Roastery and Brew Room’s growth and expansion plans within Bangalore are driven by focus on creating unique customer experiences, adding value to the industry, community engagement, and strategic location choices.

Bangalore has a burgeoning coffee culture and a growing number of consumers seeking specialty coffee experiences, making it an ideal market for expansion.

These factors combine to create a compelling brand value for The KIND that resonates with a wide audience, paving our way for continued success and expansion. We are relevant and constantly evolving.

By ensuring that no two outlets look the same while maintaining a cohesive brand identity, The Kind offers a unique experience at each location. This approach keeps the brand fresh and exciting for returning customers.

The diverse menu, which includes large amounts of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, caters to a wide range of dietary preferences and keeps the offerings inclusive and attractive.

What does “kind dining” mean to you, both as a restaurateur and as a diner?

Pallavii Gupta: To me, “kind dining” means creating food experiences that are compassionate, inclusive, creative, using great produce and keeping it intentional. It means being thoughtful about where our ingredients come from, how our food is made, and the impact we leave behind.

We believe education happens through experience. Seasonal menus, curated tastings, and open conversations with our team introduce diners to new flavours and pairings.

Whether it’s unique coffees like the Jackfruit latte, or the pomegranate cold brew or a global-inspired salad using local produce, we invite guests to explore, ask, and taste making learning a natural, joyful process.

Further, Awareness of coffee is definitely growing, and consumers are willing to experiment and try new things. New home brewing, mindful consumption, roasting and brewing and increasing knowledge around coffee has been on rise.

Takers for instant coffee have fallen drastically and people are turning to artisanal specialty coffees. As long as there is enthusiasm we do believe the coffee market is going to continue to grow. 

Women have gone beyond the typical roles of being on the front desk or HRs today. Women often bring a lens of thoughtfulness and emotional intelligence to the table. They are able to handle pressure with a lot of ease and calm which is rare.

At The KIND, it shows up in the way we design spaces to be welcoming rather than intimidating, or how our menus are rooted in comfort yet layered with innovation.

It’s a softer but more inclusive, kindness driven approach where people remember not just what they ate, but how they felt. Getting things done, leading a team, identifying gaps and adding value have been my core strengths with building The Kind.

The ambiance at The Kind is as integral as the food. What design or spatial principles did you prioritize?

Pallavii Gupta: Our spaces are designed to evoke calm, connection, clarity, and creativity. We’ve used muted tones, lots of natural greens within the space, minimalistic décor yet filled with energy, and open, lots of sunlight, airy layouts to create an environment that feels both comforting and inspiring.

We wanted The Kind to be a refuge from the rush of everyday life, where guests can pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves and others. We have kept inmind the outside- in design philosophy at The Kind.

Every design choice, from seating flow to aroma, aims to create an experience that restores and inspires. From the very beginning I wanted a very mindful, zen-like space in a contemporary setting that will cater to an all day dining audience. The brew bar is one of the main highlights of the outlet.

The location of the brew bar at Indiranagar is integrated right at the entrance of the outlet so that it is the first thing you notice of the outlet from the sidewalk.

The brew bar runs along the full length of the space from the outside, alfresco space to the inside in a linear fashion.

How do you approach local sourcing and partnerships with farmers and artisans?

Pallavii Gupta: Our commitment to being ingredient forward is rooted in gratitude. India has such a vast variety of flavours and produce, There are endless possibilities truly. 

These relationships ensure not only quality and freshness but also consistency as that’s paramount. Ingredient-led menus are now the foundation of culinary storytelling at The Kind.

Each dish begins with a hero ingredient coffee, jackfruit, millets, or local greens  around which a narrative of origin, unique flavours, and creativity unfolds.

This approach not only adds depth to the dining experience but also builds curiosity and is often a pleasant surprise.

Our commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of our coffee-making process. We offer a diverse array of manual brews and house blend espressos, each crafted with meticulous precision and unwavering quality.

What’s next for The Kind? Are there plans to expand or evolve into new formats?

Pallavii Gupta: I do see The  Kind becoming a pan India brand by 2027. Our mission is to redefine your cafe experience. We’ve meticulously designed this space to be your sanctuary, your escape from the mundane.

What truly sets The Kind apart is its heartbeat, our Kind community.As we continue to grow, our goal is to expand The Kind’s presence while staying true to our values of making vegetarian dining more approachable, accessible and fun while building a community that thrives through this very value add.

We envision new formats that reach more people  from coffee experiences to retail and collaborative events all grounded in our core promise of The kind dining.

We will soon be showcasing our retail line through kind. Our journey ahead is about evolving gently, with purpose and integrity.

Through The Kind, Pallavii Gupta redefines modern dining with empathy and authenticity. Her approach celebrates sustainability, mindful living, and soulful food experiences, making The Kind not just a café, but a movement that inspires kindness in every flavor and fosters a culture of conscious connection in Bengaluru’s vibrant culinary scene.

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