At only 23 years old, when most are still struggling to find their way through life and careers, Yash Modhwadia created something on his own. Having absolutely no prior experience with the food and hospitality sector, he created his own business called Tkafé, in Ghatkopar, Mumbai in 2023 on a basic assumption that his locality needed a spot where they could get a decent cup of chai.
The inspiration came from his observation about the cafes present around the locality, which did not offer any good quality masala chai. Inspired by his family's traditional recipe for masala chai, he gave the customers something special in the form of signature masala chai. The taste of the beverages was really comforting for them, and many people returned again and again because of the warmth that came along with every cup of tea.
From a humble tea corner, the establishment quickly grew beyond expectations.
Having realized that there were customers coming again and again, Yash decided to take advantage of yet another gap. There were no cafés in Ghatkopar that offered quality Continental cuisine without ever cutting corners. Eventually, Tkafé’s menu included comfort meals, sandwiches and cafe specialties as well, but the quality standards that helped make the place famous for its tea remained unchanged.
However, starting a business was not easy at all.
In spite of lacking any relevant experience in the industry, Yash had to teach himself everything about operating a hospitality business. Creating SOPs, managing kitchen operations, assembling a like-minded team – none of this happened in an easy way, and Yash had to put in a lot of effort and learn constantly. Instead of trying to expand fast, he worked on developing a culture of quality.
Today, every customer who walks into Tkafé is greeted with the ambiance that aims to provide warmth, comfort and friendliness. Tkafé is not just a café; it is an environment where people come and meet their friends over tea, enjoy their meals with their family or become customers and visit their loved place.
The essence of Tkafé lies in its quality. The careful selection of its ingredients and freshly made dishes allow the cafe to win the hearts of its customers. No matter what one comes for - it can be for a cup of their special masala chai, a tasty sandwich or continental food - he always experiences authenticity and attention.
Tkafé also received the appreciation of the external media. Gujarati Mid-Day recognized the brand by mentioning it and the special taste of its sandwiches in the year 2025.
For Yash Modhwadia, success comes not from recognition but from something more profound.
That is what comes out in the form of the loyal customers who help make Tkafé an integral part of their lives and the community which has adopted this café as their own.
A passion project which started out as a venture of a young entrepreneur is now one of the most popular hangouts of Ghatkopar, where people gather over cups of chai made according to a family recipe and with dedication and hospitality.
