50 years at Kottayam Indian Coffee House, where politics paused for masala dosa

The familiar red-and-white signboard on TB Road in Kottayam has watched the city change around it for five decades. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the Indian Coffee House there completes 50 years of service, marking its golden jubilee without losing the old-world warmth that made it a landmark.

The Kottayam outlet began operations half a century ago after a branch in Ernakulam was shut down. Furniture and staff from that unit were brought here, and a house on TB Road was rented and converted into the new branch. While many buildings around it have transformed with glass facades and modern designs, the coffee house has retained its original character.

Over the years, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and the old TB complex nearby adopted newer structures and a modern look. The coffee house, however, chose continuity over change. At the management’s request, the owners preserved the structure’s original feel. Though tiles were laid and the tiled roof replaced to strengthen the building, its soul remained untouched. Today, 26 employees keep the kitchen and counters running, much like their predecessors did decades ago.

Masala dosa over ideologies
In the 1980s and 1990s, the interiors of this modest space often hosted heated political discussions. Young leaders gathered around cups of tea and coffee, arguing ideology and strategy. Masala dosa and ghee roast were staples, sometimes joined by vada that arrived uninvited at the table. Someone in the group would usually pick up the bill. By the next day, however, those same friendly faces would return to college campuses and transform into fierce rivals in ideological battles.

Among the regulars in those years were leaders who later rose to prominence, including Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Mons Joseph, Anto Antony, K Suresh Kurup, Joseph M Puthussery, Dijo Kappen, Joseph Vazhayil, Uzhavoor Vijayan, Tomy Kallani, K R Aravindakshan and C K Jeevan. The coffee house evenings were once a roll call of Kerala’s emerging political generation.

Even after they moved on to larger stages, reunions and informal gatherings often found their way back to these same tables.

To mark the 50th year, a reunion of old friends and familiar faces had been arranged on Saturday, said manager R Pramod. For a place that has witnessed arguments, alliances and enduring friendships, turning 50 is less about age and more about memory. The coffee may cool, but the conversations here never quite have.