If you’re hunting for your next binge-worthy sitcom — complete with plot twists, lovable characters, and punchlines that land every time — forget Netflix. Head to Instagram. A new wave of Mumbai cafés has cracked the code: turning their staff into on-screen stars and their everyday antics into must-watch Reels. There’s drama, cheeky rivalries, running gags, and enough caffeine-fuelled chaos to keep you hooked. Sunday mid-day meets the baristas-turned-viral sensations to find out what it’s like to brew coffee by day and rack up views by night. 

‘We’re inspired by The Office’

Mokai Café in Bandra is known for its matcha, coffee, and laid-back vibe — but lately, it’s the staff who’ve stolen the spotlight. Their latest Instagram Reel has Suraksha Pilane, the café’s no-nonsense manager, shutting down a customer’s absurdly complicated order (hazelnut latte with almond milk, protein powder, sprinkles, and more) with a savage one-liner: “Tu bahar toh mil... Virar mein.” The skit’s punchy, relatable, and pure entertainment.

Think The Office — but make it Bandra café culture. The team plays exaggerated versions of themselves in a running workplace comedy series, complete with drama, banter, and the occasional cameo by an adorable dog. Suraksha plays the sassy boss; Shayne Pinto and Glen Frank are her sidekicks and rivals rolled into one. Vineet Nayak runs the kitchen, and regulars like Siddhant Gamare, Nikhat Shaikh, and William Fernandes round out the “cast.”