India's information technology capital Bengaluru remained witness to a special occasion on Friday (4) when Zev Siegl, the co-founder of the world's largest coffee chain Starbucks walked into a famous eatery in the city and tasted masala dosa, a signature South Indian food, along with the quintessential filter coffee.
Vidyarthi Bhavan, Bengaluru's heritage vegetarian restaurant which was started in 1943-44 as a canteen to cater to students of a nearby school, shared pictures of the 79-year-old businessman's visit on Instagram. The restaurant is particularly known for its 'masala dosa' which appears thick outside but is crispy to eat. People from all walks of life, including heavyweight politicians and common man, regularly visit it.
Siegl, who is in Bengaluru for the Global Investors Meet 2022, also left a note for the restaurant in its guest book.
“My friend, it is an honour to enjoy your famous food, coffee and warm welcome. I will take this wonderful experience with me back to Seattle. Thank you," he wrote, adding three stars.
The pictures that Vidyarthi Bhavan shared read, “We were happy and proud to have Mr. Zev Siegl, Co-founder of Starbucks, at Vidyarthi Bhavan today evening. He enjoyed our Masale Dose and Coffee and expressed it in our Guest book as well. Mr. Zev Siegl is an American businessman who co-founded Starbucks in 1971. He later served as Vice President and Director of Starbucks. He is now in Bengaluru as a participant in the Global Investors Meet 2022 to share his entrepreneurship insights based on his accumulated experience.”
The post went viral on social media and reactions poured in thick and fast.
“Amazing! Starbucks founder having VB's delicious filter coffee after masala dosai. Proud of you," wrote one user.
“Co-founder of Starbucks coffee drinking namma filter kaapi," said another.
“Now, we might see filter coffee in Starbucks too,” another wrote.
One wanted to know Siegl's reaction after tasting the filter coffee while another asked whether there was any chance of Vidyarthi Bhavan tying up with Starbucks.
The investors' meet was inaugurated by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (3) and will conclude on Saturday (5).
A rescuer assists a resident through heavy mud following flash floods on August 27, 2026 in Trishuli, Nepal. A sudden flood swept through the Bhote Koshi River basin in northern Rasuwa on August 26, damaging settlements, roads and energy infrastructure as rescue teams searched for residents and foreign travellers reported out of contact. Hundreds were reported missing, as the death toll started to climb.Getty Images
Rescue personnel provide medical treatment to a child at an army rescue camp in Trishuli Batar, Nepal, on August 27, 2026. A sudden flood swept through the Bhote Koshi River basin in northern Rasuwa on August 26, damaging settlements, roads and energy infrastructure, as rescue teams searched for residents and foreign travellers reported out of contact. Hundreds were reported missing as the death toll began to climb. Getty Ima
Family members of missing flood victims react at the emergency ward of the Maharajgunj Medical Campus, part of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, on August 28, 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Authorities said the flash floods were triggered after a mass of ice, mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river near the Nepal-China border, leaving hundreds dead or missing and causing widespread damage in affected districts. Authorities continued the gruelling search for victims, many buried under metres of mud, as both China and Nepal issued fresh flooding alerts.Getty Images
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