The Pesto Gnocchi At Jacob’s Is All You Need To Make Sundays Saucy

After cocktails bars found themselves a sweet spot in Jaipur’s food scene, I was sure, craft coffee was next. But little did I expect that an all-day café, designed to resemble a garage-cum-hardware shop would be one of the forerunners. You could call it too soon to judge or my skepticism about a place, that draws eyeballs through virality. Jacob’s Brew House with its “aesthetic ambience” intact stands apart not for the teel interiors or the telephone booth but for the way it treats coffee not just with a cameo but as the protagonist. I visited on a Sunday and trust me or not, there was not a single seat to occupy.

Located on one of Jaipur’s busiest roads, Jacob’s is making a sharper mark among many other openings in the city. However, whether it is a fad waiting to die or a spot there to stay, is something only time can tell. Decode my judgement once you are done reading and run it throhg

Star Dish

“What is your most favourite thing to eat,” I hate it when someone asks me a question as unclear and unnuanced as this. But my answer has been consistent for many years. Pasta. Owing to my current love for gnocchi, the sight of pesto gnocchi had me hooked. And I have to say I have not tried a better gnocchi in Jaipur. The gnocchi was well done and sauce even better. Basil has its way around making everything work and for this prepration, it made it lip-smackingly saucy to say the least.

Whenever dining out, I am always on a lookout for a dish that will have me coming back and for Jacob’s it was this pesto gnocchi.

Food Menu

Jacob’s is doing nothing out of the box with their food. And when met with a roster like that, I usually allow the servers to recommend their best picks. Mine was insistent on the Mexican peri peri paneer bowl. The robata peri peri grilled paneer tikka paired with Mexican rice was nothing I had not tried before, however, their guacamole was delicious and creamy. All in all, it’s done well but not anything that will leave you surprised.

Next up, I went in with the Mediterranean veg pizza. Simple toppings, a flavourful sauce, and baked to right levels. If you are looking for a vegetarian pick from the pizza section, look no further. Jacob’s also does a range of sandwiches and burgers and the server convinced me to go in for the Bombay chilli cheese melt. It was not something I would like to order again because my chilli cheese toast supersedes it by miles.

Beyond what I tried, Jacob’s seems to serve a wide breakfast roster. Good news for Jaipur folks since they now have a spot other than Tapri to hit for those early mornings. From pancakes and acai bowls to croissants, sandwiches, and salads, the spread seems to promise a good time.

From their desserts, I was keen on trying the pistachio basque cheesecake. Sadly, they had run out of it— means people are liking it. I had to finally settle with the chocolate jar which was mediocre.

All in all, Jacob’s isn’t doing anything experimental with their food. It’s classics done well. My sense is, that they have understood Jaipur’s audience which is not yet ready to risk food choices.

Drinks Menu

However, they are not taking measured steps on all fronts. Coffee is where it might surprise the diner or also make them uncomfortable. And for good reason. Designed by UAE Barista Champion Sonam Darj Sherpa, it is through coffee that they aim to stand apart. It was the first time that anyone in Jaipur was serving coffee with tasting cards that mentioned tasting notes, origin, farm/producer, processing method, and roast profile. For starters, this does not ensure good coffee but it implies that they want drinkers to pay attention to this information, means they are treating it with equal detail.

I was impressed.

Next up, was choosing the sips. I didn’t stop at one, not at two, but at three. The Jacobs Sensation, called TJS, was a refreshing, layered coffee experience that balanced bright tropical notes with a gentle tea-like elegance. It was smooth, creamy, and opened lively with a subtle herbal aroma. 

The second choice was The Jacobs Cloud 101. A refreshing yet comforting beverage that featured bright apple acidity, warm pumpkin sweetness, and a creamy coconut finish. It is the brew that solves your caffeine fix while bringing some respite in the sweltering summer. What worked the best for it was the frothy coconut finish that added the final touches that the brew demanded.

Finally, was the third pick which worked the least for me. The Jacobs Regional is inspired by Rajasthan and the one thing that I deduced was how much I dislike floral notes and rose petals with coffee. The brew delivered nothing but confusion on my palate. Not something I would recommend anyone to try.

Apart from coffee, you can make a choice among fresh juices, everyone’s favourite- matcha, smoothies, mocktails, and even tea.

Vibe Check

Now to something everyone’s been visiting Jacob’s for. The space. Divided into two decks, the space does not play it safe with neutrals but features teel, red, yellow, done playfully, to create a space that makes for great pictures. From a deep red telephone booth with racks lined with books to swings swapped for chairs, Jacob’s will give you many chances and corners to look cool on Instagram.

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