In a city where new cafés open almost every week and food content floods social media timelines, standing out often means being louder, faster, or relentlessly trend-driven. But Mohini and Saumye, the duo behind @thebingejournal, have chosen a different path through Hyderabad’s café scene, one that is quieter, more observant, and deeply intentional.
Their journey has never been about chasing virality. It has been about paying attention. To spaces, to people, and to the feeling a place leaves behind. That difference is precisely what makes their work linger.
Their story does not begin with algorithms or brand deals. It begins in a hospitality school classroom, where two students bonded over food, wine, and an instinctive appreciation for places that do things with care.
From Hospitality Classrooms to City Cafés
Mohini and Saumye met while studying hospitality, an environment that shaped not only their technical understanding of food but also their empathy for the people behind it. Long before cameras entered the picture, they were already doing what they do today. Walking into restaurants with curiosity, noticing details, and talking through what worked and what didn’t.
“At first, it was just for us,” Mohini recalls. “We would go out, eat well, talk about the experience, and keep mental notes.”
Those conversations stayed personal for a while. Then friends began asking the same questions repeatedly. Where should we go? What should we order? Is this place actually worth it?
Sharing recommendations felt natural. When they eventually began posting online, it did not feel like a career decision. It felt like continuity.
“It never felt like work,” she says. “Just passing along great experiences.”
Beyond the ‘Pretty Café’ Aesthetic
Today, @thebingejournal is known for its calm, aesthetically grounded portrayal of Hyderabad’s café culture. But Mohini is quick to point out that what audiences see is only one part of the story.
“Restaurants are run by real people, on real days,” she explains. “And sometimes, it’s just a tough one.”
Their hospitality background makes them deeply aware of how fragile a service ecosystem can be. A missing team member, a broken machine, or an unexpected rush can unravel even the most well-planned service.
“Not every visit is perfect,” she says. “And honestly, we don’t expect it to be.”
Instead of chasing flawlessness, they look for intent and consistency over time. One off day does not define a place. Offering restaurants grace often reveals something deeper, like resilience, care, and the willingness to find balance again.
The Moment It Started Feeling Real
Like many creators, their first real moment of validation arrived quietly. On a random day, they visited Feranoz for high tea and filmed a simple reel. No trends, no elaborate edits, just a voiceover and an honest reflection of the experience. They did not expect much from it.
“When it crossed 25,000 shares, that’s when it clicked,” Mohini says. “That was the first time we thought maybe we’re actually good at this.”
What stayed with them was not just the reach, but the response. People connected with restraint and sincerity. The reel did not try to impress. It simply told the truth.
Where Hyderabad’s Next Food Wave Is Brewing
Despite covering some of the city’s most visually striking cafés, Mohini believes the next phase of food innovation will come from quieter corners of the city.
Her pick is Banjara Hills, but not the obvious stretches. “The lanes around Road No. 12 and 13,” she says.
These pockets are seeing passion-led projects rather than trend-driven concepts. Independent chefs, smaller cafés, and spaces built with purpose instead of virality.
“When a neighbourhood isn’t loud about food yet, but you keep hearing people casually mention a new place, that’s when you know something is taking shape.”
When a Café Feels Like a Story
One phrase which was associated with one of their content was, “Katha (Café) tells a story worth hearing.” It reflects how they experience cafés intuitively, beyond menus and plating.
“It almost always starts with the people,” Mohini explains.
She notices how staff interact with each other, whether the energy feels grounded or rushed, and whether chefs feel present rather than performative. These cues often say more than décor ever could. Then come the quieter details. A bookshelf that feels personal. Décor that does not feel random. The distance between tables that hints at whether a café wants you to linger.
“You’re not just ordering food,” she says. “You’re walking into someone’s intention.”
Two Perspectives, One Shared Voice
Though they work as a duo, Mohini and Saumye bring different lenses to the table.
Saumye is firmly food-first. He focuses on ingredients, technique, and execution. His lens is rooted in taste, texture, and satisfaction.
Mohini is drawn to the why. “I care about what the food is trying to say,” she explains. “And how the space makes you feel.”
They joke about it often. Saumye is the binge. Mohini is the journal.
That contrast shapes the voice of @thebingejournal. One grounds the content, the other adds depth. Together, they tell fuller, more honest stories.
Why Video Felt Truer Than Photos
Their early content leaned heavily on photographs. Over time, something felt incomplete. “Photos were stopping just short of what we wanted to say,” Mohini admits.
Video, especially with voice, allowed them to capture mood and movement. Viewers could feel what it was like to be there with them, not just see it.
The shift was not driven by trends. It came from the realisation that the video felt more honest.
Food as a Lens to Understand the City
For Mohini and Saumye, food is not a checklist. It is a way of understanding Hyderabad itself.
“We love the whole spectrum,” she says. “The old favourites, the no-frills mandi spots, and the new matcha bars.” Through food, they explore how the city is changing, what it remembers, and how it feels to move through it today.
“If you follow us just for what to order, that’s great,” she says. “But we’re really hoping you stay for the story.”
No Crisis, Just Alignment
When asked about moments of doubt, “Not really, at least not yet,” they say.
The journey still feels early. Things feel aligned. Consistency has come naturally because the joy has not faded. They know uncertainty may arrive someday, but for now, curiosity leads.
When the Camera Is Off
Away from cafés and reels, they are exactly who they were before content entered their lives.
Saumye works as Head of Strategy at a learning and development startup. Mohini is a freelance marketing consultant. Exploring cafés remains what it always was. A way to unwind, talk, and be present.
“The camera came later,” Mohini says. “The habit of enjoying places for ourselves was always there.” And perhaps that is why their content resonates. It does not feel extracted from life. It feels lived.
In a city that is constantly reinventing itself, Mohini and Saumye remind us that the most meaningful stories are rarely the loudest. Sometimes, they are quietly sipped, gently shared, and remembered, one café at a time.
