You need to go here if you want a heartwarming experience with a warm cup of tea.

Quickie

Cafe Arpan# is breaking stereotypes with 12 youngsters, with Autism and Down’s Syndrome, running the cafe. This is the same Arpan that started the tiffin service where people with developmental disabilities assisted professional chefs to learn and earn while sending out good food. This concept went viral and was very well received. Cafe Arpan also seems to be on the same path.


Tell Me More

Cafe Arpan is an opportunity for youngsters with autism and Down’s Syndrome to contribute to society and to grow and learn. It’s aimed at enriching the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities like Autism and Down’s Syndrome. The12-13 youngsters working here take up one of the two shifts between 11 AM and 8 PM.



This place doesn’t have the usual commercial vibe that most cafes and restaurants do; It’s very grounded. The turquoise doors are extremely cute and comforting, so are the smiling faces that welcome you. The food here has fun names like “Airport wala special sandwich” and “Videshi vada pav”. These youngsters take the orders and make all the food themselves. This is a major opportunity not only for the youth that works at Arpan but also for the customers. Customers can learn to use the right words and maintain sensitivity in terms of how to address people with autism and Down’s Syndrome.


Keep in Mind

These people are not “differently abled” or “disabled”. They have a disability. If all the books were written in braille, you’d have a reading disability too.
Also, they are not “Autistic people” or “Down’s people”, they are “people with autism” or “People with Down’s syndrome”. It’s just one or two extra words that can keep you from disrespecting or hurting a person.
And all of this is not about being Politically correct, this is about not being an insensitive prick.

The place is right opposite SNDT college in Juhu.

Location: Juhu. Click for directions.
Call: 022 26600302
Cost for two: INR 250