Raj Shamani's Figuring Out

He Started Cafes in India: Social, Mocha & Future Opportunities | Riyaaz Amlani | FO424 Raj Shamani

Oct 25, 2025
Guest
Riyaaz Amlani
Riyaaz Amlani, the visionary restaurateur behind Social and Mocha, dives into the evolution of India's café culture. He shares the unique concept behind Mocha, blending Arabic coffee culture with a lively atmosphere. Riyaaz reveals how customer feedback shaped the pivot to Social and built a community-focused dining experience. He discusses emerging cuisine trends, the potential of Indian dishes abroad, and the critical mistakes new restaurant owners often make. With insights on restaurant economics and the art of menu design, Riyaaz mixes entrepreneurship with a passion for food.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Why Mocha Began As A Hangout

  • Riyaaz Amlani started Mocha because there was nowhere to hang out and Starbucks-style coffee shops didn't fit Indian habits.
  • Mocha combined coffee, desserts, live music and shisha to create a Moroccan-style hangout that attracted youth and built community.
INSIGHT

Let Customers Define Your Pivot

  • Customers shape what a restaurant becomes, so you must listen and pivot based on their behaviour and needs.
  • Mocha pivoted toward a new concept after shisha bans and changing customer patterns forced a reinvention.
ADVICE

Design For Local Social Habits

  • Build a venue around indigenous social habits rather than copying Western cafe templates.
  • Social was designed from Indian social spaces like chai stalls and college canteens to fit local habits.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app