BENGALURU, April 27 -- India's cafe chains are moving beyond traditional coffee-led formats and experimenting with dessert-focused concepts, hybrid cafes and experience-led stores to drive higher engagement and spending.

Last week, Westbridge Capital-backed Third Wave Coffee launched "Third Rush" at four of its outlets in Bengaluru, branding and positioning desserts as a standalone experience aimed at enhancing late-evening socializing.

"We see desserts evolving into a strategic lever that supports higher engagement and ticket size," Rajat Luthra, chief executive officer (CEO) of Third Wave Coffee, told Mint.

Barista Coffee recently started diner-style outlets that offer a more expansive set of meal items like burgers and pastas and hy...