There are many apt quotes to begin this article with - it’s about a place with a unique pop-culture theme which has a never-seen-before work culture, all in the while being more human-centric and good-hearted than your average city eatery. 

The place in question: The Hobbit Cafe, Koramangala, Bengaluru.

There’s something ironic about being a Middle-Earth themed space in the tech capital of the country. But that irony quickly loses its humour. In its place - wonder! The Hobbit Cafe is designed to make you feel like you’re walking into a home in The Shire. Big rounded doors & windows, curved ceilings, exposed brick walls - the ambiance brings J.R.R Tolkien’s world to life. Apart from the indoor greenery, you’re going to see Cirth (a make belief language created by the legend that is Tolkien) glyphs painted over the walls and ceilings, giving The Hobbit an extra rustic look. 

Anywho … what’s so special about it?

If you’re a Bengalurian and you’re thinking “oh great...another cafe in Koramangala… I wonder how long before this one shuts down?” then you should know how The Hobbit gives back to society. Most restaurants are famous (or infamous) for their food menu, the ambiance or the rate card. Although The Hobbit does boast a wide menu with a few ‘Lord of The Rings’ themed dishes, these are not what make the place memorable. 

The most memorable impact this restaurant offers: the service staff.

True to the “hobbits”, who are iconically short, the service staff are all individuals with dwarfism. This simple action has positively enabled an entire community who struggled to find a job. Now the “hobbits” at The Hobbit Cafe are proud to earn a livelihood without being discriminated in society. With wide smiles and an unending willingness to serve their customers, the servers charm you with their warmth and kindness. An act which adds so much more to the dining experience - truly setting The Hobbit Cafe apart from the rest of the eateries in Koramangala and Bengaluru. 

In fact, it is one of those places which I highly recommend everyone to visit. Simply because most of us are not used to such sort of hospitality, and neither are most of us accustomed to being around individuals with dwarfism. This is a great opportunity to break the stereotypes about the cause and a major kudos to the owner for creating opportunities for these individuals.

Yes, that’s great...but how’s the food?

Straight up - not the best or most unique food in town. That said, it does have great tasting food. Although the place opened up recently, all reviews (personal and Zomato) have only said