Café Rakhumai’s: A family’s passion, a community’s delight

Mapusa sees a plethora of restaurants and cafes opening up frequently, and good food is never in short supply. However, making a lasting impact in such a bustling culinary scene requires going the extra mile. Situated in Duler, at the Duler football stadium, Café Rakhumai’s, though newly established, has shown that staying true to one's roots is the key to success.

A tribute to Goan cuisine

Café Rakhumai’s is more than just a restaurant; it's a heartfelt tribute to authentic Goan cuisine and cherished family traditions. Envisioned by Swati Pawaskar and brought to life by her family, the journey to Café Rakhumai’s began over 20 years ago with their first venture, Café Krishnai, which quickly became a beloved spot for locals. Seeing its success, the family was inspired to create a new space that could offer an evening dining experience focused on traditional Goan delicacies.

A vision of flavor and heritage

"Our vision was to serve dishes rich in flavour and heritage," says the Pawaskar family. "From chicken xacuti to mutton gravy and our unique prawn recipes, each dish is crafted with distinct, family-made masalas, ensuring an unparalleled taste that sets Café Rakhumai’s apart from other eateries." The name "Rakhumai" reflects the family’s deep connection to their roots, drawing inspiration from their devotion to Krishna.

Celebrating local flavours

In a time when new cafes are offering international cuisines, the Pawaskar family felt a strong pull towards preserving and celebrating local flavours. "We found that the available local joints lacked the ambience and hygiene we desired, particularly for family outings," they share. "This sparked the idea of creating a welcoming and hygienic environment where everyone could relish authentic local food."

The unique taste of family masalas

Swati Pawaskar has been a guiding force behind this venture, and it’s her cherished family masalas that infuse the restaurant's dishes with their distinctive flavours. Since opening just a month and a half ago, Café Rakhumai’s has quickly become a local favourite. The overwhelming response has been humbling, and the family believes it’s their dedication to quality and authenticity that draws people in. The mutton, chicken, sungatche dhabdhabit, and unique vegetarian dishes like moongachi gathi and kaarlyachi bhaji have all been crowd-pleasers. The ghavne, in particular, has become a signature item that you won’t find anywhere else.

Ensuring quality and authenticity

Running Café Rakhumai’s has its challenges, especially in ensuring every dish meets their high standards. The Pawaskar family is deeply involved in the kitchen, overseeing every preparation to guarantee the best quality. They uphold these standards by continuously sourcing fresh ingredients daily, ensuring the freshest flavours in every bite.

Future possibilities and memorable moments

Looking ahead, while there are no immediate plans for expansion, the family remains open to future possibilities. For now, their focus is on maintaining the quality and authenticity that their customers love. Reflecting on their journey, the family recalls one of their most memorable moments: "A couple travelled all the way from Panaji just to taste our food. Their appreciation and feedback were incredibly gratifying and reaffirmed our belief in what we’re doing. Hearing from customers that our rich flavours and gravies are what make us special is heart-warming and keeps us motivated," they say.

A labour of love

At the end of the day, what the Pawaskars love most about running Café Rakhumai’s is the sense of fulfilment it brings. "We find coming here refreshing and invigorating. It's more than a business; it’s a labour of love, a celebration of our heritage, and a place where we can share our family’s culinary traditions with the community."