Welcome to Butternote: The jazz café serving up rhythm and flavour

Walk into Butternote and it wouldn't take you more than a few seconds to realise that the place just breathes music.

On your left, you would find a modest setup for an ensemble with a drum kit and a couple of amps and effects processors scattered around; all set to bring to life live music, not limited to but mostly jazz, all while some neatly prepared food is being served to diners.

However, for the founders and brains behind Butternote, it's not just about promoting music, nor is it just about the food, but mostly about presenting and upholding different forms of art. Whether it's auditory art through music or culinary art through a carefully and immaculately designed menu, Butternote aims to present creativity to the best of its abilities.

"The music side of things does get a lot of attention," said Imran Ahmed, one of the founders, highlighting the 16 live shows hosted at Butternote over the past month and pointing out that they are currently the only jazz café in town.

"We wanted to create a space that revolves around art," he added.

The modestly spaced Banani cafe has been having live music sessions during the weekends, Fridays and Saturdays and will be doing so in the near future as well. But they're looking to step things up by adding more interactive and educational elements to the mix. One cool feature is the listening corner, where you'll find a vinyl record player with a small collection of records for now, but they're planning to grow that collection over time. Plus, they've been hosting workshops (and will continue to) that focus on music but also branch out into other creative areas.

All the ambience and aesthetics in the world can only take a café so far if the food, the true star of any dining space, doesn't deliver. Thankfully, that's not a concern at Butternote, where a lot of thought and expertise have gone into the culinary side of things. The team of chefs, all with professional culinary backgrounds, has crafted a menu that's very fitting for the space.

"When we heard this jazz café was about promoting art, we decided to go all in and show what culinary art really means," Chef Imran shared with a laugh. The menu isn't huge, and that's a good thing. It's a carefully curated selection of appetisers, mains, salads, desserts, and beverages, particularly coffee, all prepared with precision and skill by the talented chefs.

"They wanted to keep it niche and simple," Imran added. "But we still went all out. This menu stands apart from the typical café selections you'll find in the city."

We ordered from across all the categories.

Prawn Salsa Canapé

Fresh salsa with prawns served on crispy parmesan chips—this one really kicks things off right. The sweetness and freshness hit you first, and while the shrimp and bell peppers leave a slightly spicy aftertaste once that initial freshness fades, it's not overpowering. The portion size is just right, too—you're not left searching for the prawns, they're nicely chopped and evenly spread. You get four canapés, each one a flavourful bite. All in all, it's a perfect little mood-setter.

Rating: 9/10

Price: Tk500

Bruschetta

Toasted bread topped with a rich pesto dressing—simple, but spot on. The bread's perfectly crisp; you get that satisfying crunch right from the first bite. The tomato adds a nice tangy kick and a bit of juicy freshness, while the cheese is just right—not too stringy or soggy. Overall, it's a solid pick for an appetiser.

Rating: 8/10

Price: Tk400

Steak-wich

A hefty tenderloin steak sandwich layered with garlic cream, served alongside house sauce and thick-cut fries—this one's a serious bite. The steak itself is cooked medium and has that melt-in-your-mouth quality, with loads of flavour packed in. 

There's a generous amount of lettuce, caramelised onions, and the house sauce pulls it all together nicely. The double-fried fries are thick, crunchy, and stay crisp, perfect with the sandwich. 

The only slight letdown is the bread—thick white loaf that turned a bit soggy, but that's pretty typical with standard white bread. Still, a solid and satisfying dish overall.

Rating: 9/ 10

Price: Tk1099

Barramundi and coconut kefir

This Pan-seared sea bass with spinach dish was suggested by the chef himself. The sea bass is cooked just right: tender and fluffy on the inside with a nicely crisped skin. The coconut and kefir sauce brings a light, lemony freshness that lifts the dish. And here's the best part—it's one of those fish dishes that doesn't taste too fishy, if you know what I mean. Clean, bright, and super refreshing.

Rating: 8/10

Price: Tk 1400

Coffee Crescendo

This one was a cup of delight. Dreamed up by one of the baristas, it's a layered dessert packed with all kinds of goodness—crunchy granola, smooth vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of condensed milk, and a generous topping of salted caramel sauce. But the real star for me? The espresso jellies. It's like having a mini espresso shot turned into a fun, wobbly bite. A playful mix of textures and flavours that totally works.

Rating: 8/10

Price: Tk 380

Poached Pears with ice cream

The first thing you'll notice when this dessert hits the table is the beautiful presentation. It's a simple dish, but it's plated with a lot of care. The poached pears are arranged slice by slice into a neat, rounded shape, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream nestled right in the centre. 

There are some nuts scattered around the base, and a few dried pear strips on top for that extra touch. The flavours are just as elegant—nothing over the top, but the pears and vanilla ice cream pair really well for a clean, satisfying finish

Rating:7/10

Price: Tk 350