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I recently visited Sync Cafe, a beautiful coffee shop tucked away in Karachi’s DHA Phase VIII. Coffee places have become a major trend in the city and Sync is the latest addition to the ever-growing list of offerings. But what sets Sync apart is its unique location. Nestled inside the outdoor space of Andalusian Banquets, right next to Korangi Creek, this cafe offers coffee with a view.

The experience is especially enchanting at sunset, as you can enjoy a perfect view while sipping on your favourite brew. You have the option of sitting inside or outside, and let me tell you, the interior design of the place is absolutely eye-catching. It’s a treat for people who appreciate aesthetic vibes.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Sync Cafe operates on a reservation-only policy, which initially struck me as a bit bizarre. After all, aren’t coffee places meant to be easily accessible? But their reasoning is that the place is small and tends to get crowded, which actually makes sense.

I spoke to the owner of the cafe, Noor Zara, and she said, “The reservation policy is driven by multiple factors. Firstly, it enables us to efficiently manage our available resources and deliver a more personalised experience to our valued customers.

“As our cafe is situated within a private property, the reservation system helps us ensure the safety and security of all individuals within the premises.”

So, before heading there, you have to call and provide them with the number of people coming. Once you arrive, the guard at the entrance communicates with the staff through a walkie-talkie, and then you’re granted entry. One more thing that caught me off guard was that they don’t allow you to take your car all the way to the cafe. You have to stop midway, hand over your car to the valet, and walk the rest of the way.

Zara revealed that the decision to situate their cafe within the banquet was primarily due to the beautiful location. “The calm atmosphere offered by the banquet that allows guests to unwind and relax.”

Upon asking if they would consider the possibility of relocating their cafe to a different venue in the future, she said, “As I am still learning the ropes and experimenting with the café, I believe the current location gives me the space to learn more about running the business. I of course plan to expand the café in the future and relocation will definitely be one of the major steps in the expansion.”

The same question popped into my mind again — aren’t coffee places supposed to be easily accessible? “There is a lot happening in the surrounding area where the cafe is located, with new restaurants and businesses coming up in the nearby vicinity, and hence the cafe is accessible,” Zara responded.

“The reservation policy allows us to minimise customer wait time, ensure that everyone visiting has adequate space and we don’t have to force customers to leave to accommodate those waiting. A lot of popular restaurants and cafes have these issues, and we created the policy primarily to reduce any inconvenience for our customers.”

The good stuff

Sync offers an array of beverages, ranging from lattes to lemonades. When I glanced at their menu, I was amazed by the sheer number of beverage options they had packed into three pages. However, I was slightly disappointed to find out that they only had one dessert, a fudge brownie.

But it turns out that was “an intentional choice” by the owner. “There is a growing trend to create cafes that are minimalistic and focus on offering high-quality coffee, with small bites. We plan to expand the menu as we grow and be very selective of our food choices as well,” she explained.

Now, let’s talk about the most important part — the coffee! I purchased multiple drinks to fully experience the wide range of flavours they had to offer. I tried their iced lattes in three different flavours — mocha, caramel and vanilla — along with a hot mocha latte, and peach mojito, and let me tell you, they were all absolutely delicious. The coffees struck the perfect balance between milk and coffee, and as someone who enjoys a touch of sweetness in her coffee, these drinks hit the spot.

However, while sipping on the vanilla latte, I couldn’t help but notice it had an overpowering taste of vanilla ice cream, which didn’t quite resonate with my preferences.

If you’re looking for a refreshing summer drink, I highly recommend the peach mojito — it’s the perfect refresher in this scorching heat.

My personal favourite, however, has to be the caramel iced latte. Being a self-proclaimed connoisseur of caramel iced lattes, I can confidently say that Sync Cafe serves one of the best in the city. The drink size was generous, and the level of iciness was just right. Unlike other places that sometimes serve iced drinks with hot milk, this latte was refreshingly cold from the first sip.

My brother, a hot mocha enthusiast, was over the moon with the richness of his chosen drink.

To complement our beverages, we also ordered the fudge brownie. It was a delightful treat that perfectly balanced the sweetness of the drinks. The brownie was fresh, not overly sweet, and incredibly delicious.

The portion sizes of the drinks were just right, catering to the regular size. While some might prefer more variety in size options, I personally found it to be the perfect amount for my craving. As for prices, Sync falls in line with other popular cafes like Melbrew, Kohi, and Second Cup.

However, it’s worth noting that Drop and Greeno offer more affordable options, although they exclusively operate as pick-up venues. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, those two might be worth considering, but if you want to enjoy your coffee with a stunning view with friends then Sync Cafe is the perfect spot.

Lastly, I must mention the service we received at the cafe. I’ve visited the place twice and both times the staff was accommodating, attentive, and served us with efficiency. They made sure we had a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

All in all, Sync Cafe is a delightful spot to satisfy your coffee cravings. With its picturesque location, delectable beverages, and relaxing ambience, it’s definitely worth a visit. Just remember to make a reservation and be prepared to leave your car with the valet.