Coffee is offered at every café in Islamabad; in fact, not only cafés but bakeries, restaurants and even the stalls in every nook and corner of the city offer their own version of the brew. But who can do coffee better than Gloria Jeans Coffees?
Gloria Jeans Coffees is an international coffee chain spread over 30 countries in the world! Not only do they offer espresso, but also latte, mocha, cappuccino and many different forms of coffee! In addition the menu also features a variety of smoothies, hot chocolate, iced tea and many other drinks one is sure to get addicted too!
Residents of Lahore have had the privilege of enjoying Gloria Jeans since quite some time, and now Gloria Jeans has opened its doors to the coffee lovers of Islamabad and has been a complete hit since its arrival.
As soon as you enter this small café hidden in the Kohsar Market, of Islamabad, you get a whiff of the aroma of coffee which is a clear indication that these people know how to brew their stuff! The first thing you spot upon entering is the counter with its mouthwatering display of food items and the sight will tempt even those who came with the intention of sampling just the coffee. From different kinds of sandwiches to cakes, pies, brownies, mini pizzas, smoothies and of course coffee, 'Gloria Jeans Coffees' has a lot to offer!
Here I might add that when you visit this place do try their kitkat chocolate cake which is absolutely divine! The barbequed chicken sandwiches are nice but make sure they are fresh and warm when served! Furthermore, the banana bread and the grilled chicken bread are also delicious and tempting! Their blueberry cheesecake is known to be the best in Pakistan, so if you are a blueberry fan, don't miss out on this one! Of course, they are loaded with calories but worth every bit of them.
The ambience seems to cater to the youth with the orange sofas adding a splash of colour against the warm brick walls; the woodwork gives the place a complete coffee house look. However, over repeated visits I have seen that the place has not been taken over just by teenagers. Gloria Jeans has a mixed clientele of all ages; kids come for the delicious desserts and cakes, professionals and busy executives drop in for a cup of coffee before heading back home in the evening and groups of fashionable aunties enjoy their little gossip session in a corner of the café while sipping their yummy smoothies or coffees! Rest assured you won't feel uncomfortable whatever age group you belong to upon visiting Gloria Jeans.
The prices might tick you off a bit because they are slightly higher than the local cafes — inspite of the fact that this is a self service cafe — but don't let this stop you from visiting; you might decide that the difference in price is worth the overall experience. The staff is co-operative and efficient even though they don't have much to do except for taking your order at the counter and then handing you the tray.
So if you have a sweet tooth or enjoy espresso or any other concentration of coffee beans this is a place to visit at least once; who knows, you might become a regular, like me.
