What started as a simple desire to serve great coffee and homemade desserts to all, regardless of price, has blossomed into a beloved haven in Mapusa. The Goan explores ‘Together: Coffee Meets Dessert’, a café brought to life by Richa and Pratik, whose shared passion turned into a welcoming space for the community
In a world that moves too fast and often too loud, tucked away near St. Xavier’s College in Mapusa, opposite Kamat Gardens, lies a café that truly lives up to its name: ‘Together: Coffee Meets Dessert’. It is a quaint little place, the kind you stumble upon by chance and then never want to leave. Hidden, but hidden like a treasure. A comforting corner where coffee warms more than just your hands, and desserts bring more than just sweetness.
The story of Together begins, quite fittingly, in another café. That’s where Richa Dharmanand Savant and Pratik Dey Chowdhury first met. Though they were colleagues, they were also kindred spirits, one immersed in the world of coffee, the other in the art of baking. Over countless conversations and shared shifts, they discovered a common dream.
Richa, a BBA graduate with a love for baking, always knew she wanted to pursue something hands-on. Backing her passion with a six-month course in baking, she explored both the art and science behind every dessert she now serves with love. Pratik, on the other hand, came from a completely different world, one filled with frames, lenses, and storytelling. A professional photographer, his journey into coffee began while working on a documentary titled C for Coffee. The allure of coffee slowly took hold, leading him to coffee workshops and self-study sessions that deepened his knowledge of brewing techniques and café culture.
“We didn’t start with a big plan or a fancy vision board,” says Richa, who now runs the café’s dessert counter. “It began with us just wanting to serve people, everyone, not just the ones who could afford a 400-rupee slice of cake.”
This is where Richa and Pratik found common ground. “We both felt something was missing in the café culture we were part of. We would see customers come in, look at the prices, and quietly leave. It used to break our hearts,” she recalls.
That shared discomfort turned into a shared vision, to build a café rooted in care, inclusion, and sincerity. And so, ‘Together’ was born. Not with huge capital or glossy interiors, but with heart, dedication, and soul.
“We chose to start small, not with an Instagrammable setup, but with the intention to make good food and coffee more inclusive,” says Richa. “We’ve kept our profits low on purpose. We wanted people to experience high-quality desserts and artisanal coffee without feeling excluded by the price tag.”
At Together, coffee starts at just Rs. 40, desserts at Rs. 30, and nothing on the food menu exceeds Rs. 200, a quiet rebellion in an age of overpriced café culture.
“When we started, we didn’t even plan savouries,” Richa laughs. “But people kept asking. So we listened.” That’s how dishes like egg devils and Kolkata-style rolls made it to the menu, not based on trends, but in response to the honest cravings of their regulars.
Although it is located near a college, ‘Together’ is far from a typical student hangout. It is calmer, quieter. While students do drop by, so do families, office-goers, and curious tourists who happen upon it.
“Most of our regulars are from around the area. They’ve been our biggest support. We even have a few who come every day for their evening coffee,” says Richa.
Since opening its doors in March last year, Together recently celebrated its first anniversary. The journey has not been without challenges, managing costs, experimenting with new menu items, and working long hours, but the response from the community has made it all worth it.
“We haven’t received a single bad review,” Richa shares. “It’s not always easy, but when someone tells us this is the best cheesecake they’ve had, or that they feel at home here, it means everything.”
“I can’t make coffee like he does, but I try,” Richa smiles. “And he doesn’t mess with the baking. That’s my kingdom.”
Pratik often hosts informal, sometimes free, coffee workshops for those curious to learn more about brewing methods and coffee appreciation.
“We want people to know what real coffee is,” he explains. “It’s not just a drink. It’s an experience.”
Richa and Pratik also wanted to bring something uniquely Goan to their menu. After a workshop, they began offering signature mixed coffee beverages inspired by local ingredients.
“People didn’t know what they were at first,” Richa admits. “But once they understood the concept, they started picking up.”
Drinks like kokum-infused cold brew and a bold Tabasco-spiced coffee became unexpected hits. “It’s a great introduction to coffee for someone who doesn’t really like it,” Richa adds. “It doesn’t even taste like coffee, but you’re still getting that essence.”
In a time when many cafés chase trends and aesthetics, Together is refreshingly sincere. It isn’t trying to be the coolest place in town, just the coziest, kindest, and most authentic. And in that, it succeeds beautifully.
So the next time you find yourself in Mapusa, take a moment. Look for the little café that doesn’t scream for attention. Step inside. Sip a warm cup of coffee. Try a slice of something fresh from Richa’s oven.
And you’ll feel it too, that rare and beautiful magic that happens when coffee meets dessert, and two kindred spirits come together.
