Neha Mehrotra
12-Jan-2026
Coffee Island Beyond arrives in Delhi to reimagine how cafés exist within the cadence of everyday life.
In a conversation with Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, CEO of Coffee Island, the Greek Coffee brand, we discuss the mindset behind this new expression of the brand and how Beyond moves away from quick, transactional visits towards moments of pause and comfort.
Excerpts from the conversation below
1. Coffee Island Beyond is described as a mindset, not just a café. What signalled that this was the right next step?
At Coffee Island, we understand that coffee culture today goes far beyond just a cup of coffee. People are redefining how they live, work, and connect, and cafés are at the center of this shift. What we saw was not just a demand for better coffee but a deeper desire for meaning. Coffee Island Beyond emerged from this understanding: that the café must evolve from a service point into a living experience one that adapts, inspires, and stays relevant throughout the day.
2. “Beyond” implies moving past the obvious. Which traditional café rule does this concept leave behind?
The belief that a café exists only for a quick, transactional moment is no longer valid. Today, people don’t live in fixed schedules or single-purpose routines. Coffee Island Beyond intentionally moves away from the idea of “grab and go” and towards “arrive and stay”. It is designed as a holistic environment where speciality coffee, food, and human connection coexist, creating space for longer visits, deeper engagement, and multiple moments of use.
3. Are cafés becoming the new “third place” for a generation without fixed schedules?
Yes and not by coincidence. Cafés are increasingly becoming modern “third places”: environments where individuals can work, meet, pause, or simply exist without pressure or expectations. Our role is not to dictate how people should use the space but to support how they choose to live. By offering flexibility throughout the day, Coffee Island Beyond becomes part of everyday life, not just a stop within it.
(Coffee Island Beyond, Delhi)
4. All-day dining plays a key role in the Beyond concept. Why is food so important?
Food completes the experience.
It transforms the café from a single-purpose visit into a destination. All-day dining encourages people to slow down, stay longer, and engage more deeply with the space and with each other. When quality coffee meets thoughtfully crafted food, the experience becomes richer, more human, and more memorable.
5. How does science enhance, rather than conflict with, artisanal coffee?
I strongly believe that science and craftsmanship do not compete; they strengthen one another. Scientific thinking allows us to understand coffee in depth and to bring consistency, precision, and continuous improvement to every step of the process. Craftsmanship brings emotion, intuition, and character.
At Coffee Island, science gives structure to passion. It ensures that every cup is not only expressive but also intentional and repeatable without ever losing its soul.
6. What defines a truly great cup of coffee for you?
A truly great cup of coffee is about balance. It starts with exceptional beans and careful preparation, but it goes further than taste. It carries clarity and emotion and reflects respect for the farming, harvesting, processing, roasting, grinding, extraction and the people behind it.
7. Why was Delhi chosen for the debut of Coffee Island Beyond in India, and what comes next?
Delhi represents energy, openness, and a rapidly evolving coffee culture. It was the right place to introduce a European speciality coffee concept that respects local identity while bringing a global perspective.
Looking ahead, our expansion is already taking shape, with a growing network that reflects our long-term vision for India as part of our broader international journey.
Cover Image Credit: Konstantinos Konstantinopoulos, CEO of Coffee Island
