Located in the heart of Panaji, Te Fitti Café catches your attention even before you step inside. From its name to its interiors and its mix of food, the café has a story that begins far from Goa, in the Polynesian islands.
Island inspiration
The idea for the café came after one of the owners was travelling through all of Polynesia; he ended up on the island of Tahiti. “That is where the idea of Te Fitti came about. The beauty of the place left an impression on him, giving him the idea of starting a coffee and tea place where friends and people from the community could meet,” says Chef Rahul Shah, Head Chef and Manager of Te Fitti Café. The name Te Fitti also has a Hawaiian connection. According to Shah, the name is associated with the idea of a ‘home away from home’. “The meaning is an important part of what the café wanted to offer,” he explains. The idea, he emphasises, is not just about the food but also about how people feel when they spend time in their café.
Goan touch
At the same time, Chef Rahul mentions, the owners wanted the café to have a bit of Goa in it. Since they wanted to add some elements of Goa to the café, the paintings and murals depict the state’s flora and fauna around the space. Chef Rahul Shah says, “The intention was simply to create a place where people could come, spend time with friends and family, and feel comfortable.” The menu, too, carries the influence of the places that inspired the café, with a Goan and Indian touch. “While we do have a variety of cuisine, we also offer Goan dishes such as Ross Omelette and such,” he replies. “There are also dishes that have been adapted based on what customers enjoy. The clientele has played a big role in shaping the menu,” he adds. Located near a college, the demand of the youngsters, he mentions, is mostly about wanting quick bites; thus, the menu has been designed keeping this in mind. “They usually want something quick, filling, and different. So we have pizzas, pasta, keema pav, burgers, along with desserts such as caramel custard,” he remarks.
Signature dishes
One of the dishes that stands out in their menu is the Loco Moco, a Hawaiian preparation made with rice, meat gravy and a fried egg. Shah points out that the dish has its own history, with Hawaiian food having influences from America, Japan, Spain and other cultures. At Te Fitti, the dish has been given an Indian touch, with the gravy and salad adjusted to suit local tastes. “We also have the King Kamehameha burger, named after King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands,” he replies, adding that the burger comes with a chicken patty, pineapple and egg, thus taking inspiration from ingredients that were once considered special in Hawaii.
Local favourites
The café also has more familiar options for those who are looking for something closer to home. Chef Rahul Shah counts keema pav among his favourites, along with the burger and the pakora chicken burger. The latter combines a chicken patty with Indian flavours, giving a familiar dish a different twist.
Community space
Being in central Panaji has also worked in the café’s favour. With offices and other establishments around it, Te Fitti gets a mix of customers throughout the day. But for Chef Rahul, it is the people who have made the café what it is. Birthday celebrations, gatherings with friends and late-night visits around Christmas have all become part of the café’s everyday life. “Every day is something memorable, and every person who comes into the café becomes an important part of the café’s journey,” he says, pointing to the many birthdays and occasions that have been celebrated at the café.
Looking ahead
For the team at Te Fitti, the aim going forward is to keep adding to the menu while continuing to have the café as a place where people can spend time together. Shah says the café was started as a business, but there was always another idea behind it: to create a community space where people could sit comfortably, enjoy their food and spend time with the people around them. That brings the café back to its name and the idea of a home away from home. “If they are not at home, I hope and expect them to feel at home,” he says. And perhaps that is what Te Fitti hopes to be for its customers, a place in the middle of Panaji where they can drop in, meet someone, have a meal, stay for a while, and call it their home.
