A slice of Europe in the heart of city

In a quiet, tucked-away corner of Model Town, Jalandhar, a blink-and-miss quaint little bistro beckons cake and coffee lovers from all corners of the city to immerse themselves in gourmet delights sourced carefully from across India and the globe.

With its red gingham upholstery, vintage-style tableware and a rustic bamboo canopy laden with bouganvilleas and myriad verdant herbs, the space exudes a cozy, whimsical charm — something between a French bistro and an English countryside cottage. It’s no wonder Retro has enchanted Jalandharites for the past three years.

The unassuming, quietly popular haven is the brainchild of Japjee Oberoi (37), an entrepreneur who refers to herself as “an avid baker” — though her growing fanbase would call that an understatement. Her cafe has stirred quite a buzz among culinary enthusiasts who flock to indulge in Japjee’s freshly baked cakes and signature sweet treats, now city’s hot favourites.

Part of the charm of the place is the fact — that the cafe was never planned. What started as a studio experiment, aimed just for family and friends, got wildly popular, prompting the young entrepreneur for a rethink. Her husband Sahil manages the clients at the front desk, while Japjee — true to her passion — is always in her kitchen.

When Japjee and her husband Sahil held a small bake sale three years ago, the response was overwhelming. “By 2 pm, we were completely sold out,” Japjee recalls with a laugh. “There weren’t enough cakes for the people who wanted them. I thought I’d be done by early afternoon. Clearly, there was more baking to do.”

“My nana (maternal grandfather) was a baker, and so is my father,” Japjee shares fondly. “We had a bakery in Dehradun, and I always dreamed of starting a bake studio and Retro, happened quite by accident,” she adds.

Japjee says, “To start off we didn’t have any food — we thought people would come and grab their takeaway. We only planned for breads, cakes, cookies and sandwiches. I wanted a tan old school place which reintroduces forgotten goodies — wanted to sit, linger and eat more. So we introduced pastas and an array of European cuisine.” The couple’s frequent travels abroad also inspire regular menu upgrades, bringing in fresh ideas and global flavours.

Retro was one of the first cafes in Jalandhar to introduce breakfast spreads, avocado toast and globally-inspired fare. Among the bestsellers are Japjee’s special Nutella Hazelnut Cake, the popular Lotus Biscoff Cake, and, most recently, the classic Sachertorte —a rich chocolate sponge with apricot jam — introduced after a trip to Vienna.

Jalandhar