The Tale Behind Niloufer: A Name as Rare as the Blue Lotus
How we inherited a royal legacy and became custodians of a name filled with kindness
and heritage
Each cup of chai we serve has a story—albeit one that bridges the lines between Ottoman
kings, a sympathetic princess, and years of paying homage to a name that signifies much more than lovely flowers. When you step into any one of our stores throughout Hyderabad, you're not merely sipping tea; you're part of a legacy that has gone on for almost a century.
The Royal Legacy: Why Niloufer Matters
Our name wasn't the result of a branding exercise or creative brainstorm. It was given to us by Princess Niloufer Khanum Sultan, the "Kohinoor of Hyderabad". Born into Ottoman royalty in 1916, she married into the family of the Nizam and left an indelible stamp on our city. The word "Niloufer" (رﻓوﻠﯾﻧ) is Persian, translating to "blue lotus" or "water lily"—a flower revered in ancient cultures for its otherworldly beauty and symbolic meaning. In Persian poetry and literature, the Niloufer represents purity, elegance, and something valuable that flowers in spite of adversity. As the lotus blossoms pure from black waters, the name Niloufer stands for refinement and strength.
From Tragedy to Legacy: The Origins of the Niloufer Name in Hyderabad
In 1949, disaster hit when the princess's favorite maid, Rafatunnisa Begum, died at childbirth due to an unavailability of good medical facilities. Upset, Princess Niloufer took a vow that would alter thousands of lives: "No more Rafaths shall die".
She went to the Nizam and set up Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad's Red Hills in 1953. What started as a 100-bed hospital exclusively for women and children's healthcare grew into a
1,200-bed facility that still provides the same humanity the princess did.
The hospital transcended beyond a medical facility—it became a reflection of what the name "Niloufer" stood for: compassion, quality care, and unshakeable commitment to serving the community.
How We Came to Carry the Niloufer Name
By the 1970s, when our café originally opened around the iconic hospital in Red Hills, the name "Niloufer" had already become a part of the fabric of Hyderabad. Families all over the city recognized this name from the hospital where they had given birth, treated their children, and saved countless lives.
The first café, of course, borrowed the name "Niloufer"—not only due to proximity to the
hospital, but because this name had deep significance in the community. It symbolized trust, quality, and dedication to serving all people with respect.
Our Founder's Vision: Respecting the Name
We would like to introduce to you the man who realized the responsibility of this
legacy—Anumula Babu Rao, our founder and soul of Café Niloufer. His journey with us started in 1976 when he became a part of our café—when we were just a small tea stall opposite Niloufer Hospital. He possessed two great talents: he could make fantastic tea, and he knew that serving others was not just about business. His philosophy was easy yet deep: "I should relish the flavor of whatever I serve in this cafe, only then can I do justice and serve it to my customers". This was not only about chai—it was about respect for the name we bore.
The Turning Point: Becoming Guardians of the Legacy
By 1978, Babu Rao had shouldered the responsibility of managing the café. With his
management, what had been catering to a few hundred clients every day started receiving
thousands. His formula wasn't rocket science—it was commitment to quality and heartfelt regard for each individual who stepped into our lives.
By 1993, he bought out the café, putting in concrete terms his dedication not only to a company, but to a legacy.
Why We Retained the Niloufer Name: Grasping Our Responsibility
When Babu Rao acquired the full ownership, he was given the most critical decision in our
history: Would we retain the Niloufer name or come up with something new?
The response needed an in-depth understanding of what the name meant to Hyderabad. The name itself already enjoyed huge goodwill—years of it, accumulated by the hospital's
benevolent service. "Niloufer" had become a reference to excellence and community service.
We understood that this wasn't only a name—it was a duty. Each cup we served, each customer we greeted, each interaction we engaged in would either honor or debase what Princess Niloufer had established and what the hospital still stood for.
The idea behind retaining the name was realizing that "Niloufer" symbolizes excellence founded on service. The princess had converted individual tragedy into collective benefit. The hospital had rendered this name iconic through generations. We wanted to bring that same ethos—serving chai with the same passion for quality and community as made the name legendary.
What the Name Niloufer Means to Us
The blue lotus flower opens at dawn and closes at sunset, following the beat of the day.
Likewise, Café Niloufer has become Hyderabad's rhythm of the day—beginning mornings with the initial cup of chai, afternoons with gossip over biscuits, and evenings with the relief of known tastes.
The lotus gives refuge to all that is around it. We've attempted to do the same—making a place where all people, no matter background, feel welcome. From students to seniors, from early morning haunters to late-night visitors, the name Niloufer above our door translates to everyone belongs.
As Princess Niloufer's hospital still serves women and children of all backgrounds without
distinction, we offer genuine, quality chai to all that step through our doors.
Growing the Legacy: Spreading the Niloufer Name Across Hyderabad
Starting from that single outlet along the hospital, we've grown to take the Niloufer name to several locations:
Our Heritage Outlets
Lakdikapul (Red Hills): Where it all began—24-hour operations, forever identified with the hospital and the legacy of the princess.
Growing the Legacy
Banjara Hills: Our upscale lounge where the Niloufer name opens its arms to those looking for special experiences.
Himayatnagar: Taking the reliable Niloufer quality to more neighborhoods.
Airport (RGIA): Making travellers take the taste and memory of the Niloufer name along
wherever they travel.
Our Flagship: Hitech City
In March 2025, we unveiled our most ambitious offering to the Niloufer legacy—a stunning 40,000 square feet over three floors at Hitech City. "India's largest tea café" with seating for more than 700 customers and our signature 2-ton "Kettle of Love" sculpture.
We imported traditional chai culture to Hyderabad's IT corridor, where the new generation can enjoy what the Niloufer name has always stood for—quality, warmth, and community.
We currently have nine outlets in Hyderabad, each of which bears the responsibility of upholding this valuable name.
What We Serve: The Niloufer Promise
Our Signature Offerings
Irani Chai: That's what the Niloufer name guarantees—true Hyderabadi-style tea that our
founder personally guarantees retains its ideal taste. Each cup is a testament to the quality this name insists on.
Osmania Biscuits: "Hyderabad's first choice to have with tea"—we prepare these buttery, flaky biscuits fresh, in respect for decades of tradition.
Maska Bun: The timeless favorite that generations have cherished, made to the same devotion the Niloufer name insists on.
Expanded Menu: Old favorites and fresh additions—every item maintains the quality that this iconic name should be known for.
Our Philosophy: Living Up to the Name
Service to Everyone
Princess Niloufer's hospital caters to everyone in need. We adhere to the same
principle—whether a person goes to our heritage store or luxury lounge, they're given the same genuine quality. The Niloufer name signifies everyone must be provided with excellence.
Never Compromising Quality
Our founder states: "I have never compromised on the quality of our tea. My taste buds ensure that every cup maintains its authentic flavor". He oversees preparation himself and blends our tea powder himself to perfection.
This is what wearing the Niloufer name calls for—perfection in every cup, every time.
Giving Back
True to Princess Niloufer's legacy of compassion, we've been feeding hundreds of people in need daily for over a decade. We also provide opportunities and training to those who need a fresh start.
The princess turned tragedy into healing. We try to turn success into service.
Beyond the Café: Sharing the Niloufer Experience
We've expanded so the Niloufer name reaches your home:
Tea Powder: Our Supreme, Platinum, and Double Delight blends infuse genuine taste into your kitchen
Packaged Cookies: From traditional Osmania to specialty biscuits—all upholding the standards this name demands
The Next Generation: Continuing the Story
When our founder's son Shashank Rao and daughter-in-law Sreeja joined us in about 2019, they infused new energy with respect for the name's history. We welcomed digital platforms and online delivery, making more people experience what Niloufer stands for.
But however we change and grow, whatever technology advances, the name keeps before us each day: quality, compassion, and service to community are first.
The Significance of Niloufer: Yesterday and Today
The blue lotus—Niloufer—flowers where it is sown, changing while holding on to its inner
elegance. Princess Niloufer changed to a new country and employed her role to benefit others. The Niloufer Hospital has changed over generations while holding on to its purpose of care. We've expanded from a single little café to nine outlets, but the essence hasn't changed: the Niloufer name requires authenticity, quality, and respecting and caring for each individual who walks into our outlets.
Our Invitation: Taste the Legacy
With every sip of your Niloufer chai—be it at our original Lakdikapul outlet or our sprawling Hitech City store—you're not just drinking a beverage. You're sipping:
A princess's heart that transformed grief into service
A hospital's tradition that has welcomed generations of Hyderabadi families
Our tradition of keeping this valuable name in each cup we prepare
The name which once was borne by Ottoman royalty, which adorned a hospital founded on empathy, now symbolizes Hyderabad's dearly loved chai culture. We bear it proudly and responsibly.
Come, Be Part of the Niloufer Story
Come visit us at Lakdikapul, Red Hills, Banjara Hills, Himayatnagar, the Airport, or our stunning Hitech City outlet. All places share the same name, uphold the same values, and serve with the same commitment.
Each cup we serve dignifies the name we bear—a name as unusual and as coveted as the blue lotus itself. A name that has signified healing, quality, and community service for close to 75 years in Hyderabad.
Come experience what the Niloufer name guarantees. Come be a part of a tradition that started with a princess's kindness and continues with each beautifully brewed cup of chai.
We're Café Niloufer—keepers of a legendary name, brewers of genuine tradition, and we're privileged to serve you.
