CoBo: New coffee spot brewing in Bashundhara

The growing love for coffee in Bangladesh has transformed the café scene, with new spots opening in almost every neighbourhood.

Among the latest additions to Dhaka's café culture is CoBo, born from a couple's shared love for coffee. "My husband and I often sit at cafés for a good cup of coffee and to relieve stress on weekends or after work," says Fahima Jaigirder, the owner of CoBo.

Those quiet moments soon sparked the dream of creating a café of her own. With the support of her husband, daughters, siblings, and well-wishers, she took a leap of faith, and on 5 September 2025, CoBo finally opened its doors in Bashundara (Road 30, Sonia Sobhan 5th Avenue, Block I).

Fahima explains that the location was intentionally chosen for its sweeping panoramic windows that frame the skyline. From the third floor, the guests can watch cars stream down the busy roads, the city's rhythm unfolding below, while fiery sunsets wash the horizon in warm colour.

"It's the kind of view that helps you unwind after a long day," she added—and it's easy to see what she means once you yourself finally sit down with a cup of coffee.

Unlike many cafés in Dhaka that invest heavily in interiors, CoBo takes a pared-back approach. "We didn't go for extravagance inside," Fahima admitted, "but we will never compromise on the quality of our coffee." She built this space for coffee lovers to pause, reconnect, and unwind.

Although coffee remains the star of the menu, CoBo also offers a small but thoughtful selection of baked items, such as croissants, cold sandwiches, and other light bites for hungry diners in need of something more filling.

The Business Standard visited CoBo on its grand launch, catching the buzz of opening day and beginning to see how this passion project is taking shape in the heart of Bashundhara.

Brownie

The brownie at CoBo is a true standout—gooey in texture with crunchy nuts in every bite, making it a must-try from their menu. For those who want to take it up a notch, ask the barista to add a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate. It costs a few extra taka, but the combination is nothing short of deadly and pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee.

Price: Tk 198 ( Without icecream and chocolate drizzle)

Chicken Croissant Sandwich

We had fairly high hopes for the chicken croissant sandwich, but it unfortunately fell short. The croissant arrived a little too toasty, which took away from the buttery softness you'd normally expect. The filling, though fresh, felt a little bland—it could have used more sauce or an extra layer of meat to bring out the flavour.

On the plus side, it is served with a portion of chips and a side of ketchup, which makes it a filling option. Still, if you're ordering this one, we'd suggest asking the barista to heat the croissant properly before serving, as it might help balance the texture and taste.

Price: Tk452

Zebra Chocolate

From the non-coffee section, we decided to try the Zebra Chocolate, a drink whose quirky name immediately grabbed our attention. The barista explained it as a mix of white and milk chocolate, a combination that sounded like the perfect cosy drink for a chilly day.

True to its name, the drink arrived looking as good as it tasted, with chocolate and white syrup drizzled on top in a delicate spider 's-web pattern. Creamy, indulgent, and satisfyingly sweet, the Zebra feels like a treat for all ages; kids will love it just as much as adults with a sweet tooth.

Price: Regular (Tk200), Large (Tk380)

Blue Ocean Lemonade

One of the most interesting features of CoBo's menu is that every drink can be customised. They even have a separate "Make Your Own Cup" board with add-ons like brown boba, popping boba, honey, milk, and more.

You can build a drink from scratch or add extras to an existing one. During our visit, we noticed many customers adding brown boba to their coffee, which we're already planning to try next time.

For the Blue Ocean, we decided to get creative and added apple-flavoured popping boba. The result was a fun twist, with the tart sweetness of the boba pairing perfectly with the drink's fizzy freshness. Served in a tall glass with its striking aqua-blue hue, it is refreshing, light, and playful—the kind of beverage that feels tailor-made for Dhaka's hot summer days.

Price: Tk280 (without popping boba)

Toffee Nut Latte

Dependable choice for those who enjoy a touch of sweetness while still wanting their caffeine fix. The nutty toffee notes blend smoothly with espresso, creating a flavour that feels both rich and comforting.

Topped with whipped cream and finished with a drizzle of chocolate, it has just the right balance to feel indulgent without being heavy. For a stronger kick, you can always ask the barista to add an extra shot of espresso and adjust it to suit your taste.

Price: Tk380 (Regular), Tk480 (Large)