5 top Indian restaurants/cafés that employ People with Disabilities(PwDs)

The world needs to be a more inclusive place and these food places have taken a step forward towards it. These inclusive Restaurants/cafés restaurants believe in unity in diversity and are beautifully accepting of all differences, by hiring people with all kinds of disabilities- physical, intellectual, and psychiatric.

Echoes Cafe, New Delhi

(Image Source: Zomato)
Echoes cafe started in New Delhi and won a lot of hearts with its welcoming environment and innovative concept. The cafe is fully run by staff with hearing and speech impairments but that doesn’t compromise their service or quality of food. The owners have come up with very convenient and easy ways for communication. Every table has a set of placards for frequent requests like ‘Menu please’ or ‘Water please’, along with a light bulb and switch to call the servers. They are also making their marks in Kolkata and Bangalore now.

Mirchi & Mime, Mumbai

(Image Source: Society)
Mirchi & Mime was set up in 2015 by two serial entrepreneur-investors who were inspired by ‘Signs’, a restaurant in Canada. The restaurant hires people with hearing and speech impairments, breaking all stereotypes. They also have a ‘gesture glossary’ attached to their menu and the guests are expected to use the sign language associated with a particular food item, to communicate with the staff. ‘Madeira & Mime’ is another gastro-pub from the same group, located in the same building as Mirchi & Mime.

Nukkad Teafé, Raipur

(Image Source: The Teafe)
Since 2013, Nukkar Teafé has been spreading smiles with its beautiful yet innovative concepts. Nukkar is much more than just a cafe or a restaurant. Apart from the concept of hiring only transgender or people with hearing impairment, it also has several other efforts to make society a better place to live in. The cafe has more than 300 books and also encourages people to exchange their books irrespective of the price. There is also a concept of digital detox, which encourages people to leave their mobile at the counter to avail 10% discount. There are several such interesting things Nukkar can offer. Visit them to check them out.

Mitti Cafe, Karnataka

(Image Source: Mitticafe.org)
Mitti is a chain of inclusive cafes that is completely run by specially-abled people, having physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities. It is a non-profit organization with unique improvisations to help the specially-abled staff to be independent and earn their livelihood. They have menu cards printed in braille, self-explanatory placards, and lights to send signals. Do check them out for their amazing vegetarian and gluten-free food.

Cafe Arpan, Mumbai

(Image Source: Mumbai Foodie)
Café Arpan, an initiative of the non-profit Yash Charitable Trust, provides just the right workplace for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The team mostly consists of people with autism, Down syndrome, and other learning disabilities. Apart from its beautiful way of breaking stereotypes, it has a long list of healthy food options.

Also, check out the article on Top 5 Inclusive lifestyle brands

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali. 

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