ECHOES CAFÉ DWARKA WHERE SILENCE SERVES A PURPOSE

In the heart of Dwarka, a quiet revolution is brewing- one that doesn’t need loud promotions or flashy gimmicks. Echoes Café, in Sector-17, Dwarka, started six months ago by entrepreneur Kshitij Behl, is redefining what it means to dine out. At first glance, it may seem like a cozy, trendy café serving comfort food and cool beverages. But stay a while, and you’ll experience something far deeper- empathy, inclusion and the extraordinary power of silent service. Echoes Dwarka is part of a chain of restaurants that was founded in 2015 by a group of friends who wanted to challenge the status quo and offer front-end employment to persons with disabilities. Traditionally, specially-abled individuals were limited to back-end roles in hospitality, but Echoes flipped the script by putting them at the forefront. What makes Echoes truly stand out is its staff - all the waiters are hearing and speech impaired. Yet, from the moment you step in, the service is flawless and the communication seamless. The café is entirely operated by a team of hearing and speech-impaired staff who interact with guests through sign language, cue cards and written notes. From the moment diners arrive, they are offered user-friendly tools that ensure a smooth, inclusive experience - empowering them to place orders and communicate their needs with ease. The menu offers a delicious mix of Indian, continental, Italian, Mexican, Chinese and American cuisine and popular street-style dishes, with items like Tandoori Momos, Chhole Kulche and Pav Bhaji earning particular praise. In just a short time, Echoes’ Dwarka branch has won over the local community, thanks to the team’s efficiency and the café’s warm, welcoming vibe. Buzz on social media and glowing feedback on platforms like Zomato and TripAdvisor consistently applaud the heartfelt service, highlighting Echoes as a place that offers not just food, but a truly memorable and meaningful dining experience.

How It Works: A Thoughtfully Designed Ordering System-
Each table is equipped with an innovative set of tools:
• A visual menu with codes assigned to each dish.
• Cue cards with pre-written messages such as “Water, please,” “Thank you,” “Bill,” or “Need help.”
• A call light system - a small switch that lights up at the service station to notify waiters.
At Echoes Café, communication between the staff and guests flows smoothly through a thoughtfully designed system that includes light indicators, placards, notepads and sign language. As you enter the café, a staff member warmly escorts you to your table and hands you a menu, along with a pen and notepad. Each dish on the menu is assigned a specific code - such as A1, A2, A3, for different dishes. To place your order, you simply jot down the code and quantity in the notepad.
Every table is equipped with a call button that lights up at the service station. When you press the button, a staff member sees the light indicator and approaches your table to collect the order slip and process it. During your meal, if you need anything- be it cutlery, drinking water, or the bill -you can use the special set of placards provided at the table.
These placards function like a visual calendar, containing common requests like “Water, please,” “The bill, please,” or “Pack the leftovers.” Simply display the appropriate card, and the staff will respond promptly. This clever combination of visual aids and a well-structured ordering system ensures a seamless and inclusive dining experience for every guest. The interaction, though silent, is filled with respect and connection. The staff uses Indian Sign Language (ISL) amongst themselves and with customers who wish to learn. Many diners end up picking up a few signs by the end of their visit - making it not just a meal, but an engaging experience.
Bright and attractive ambience- The ambience is bright and welcoming with a row of literary classics lined up. On the wall are blocks with sign language painted on it. Customers are seen smiling and curling their fingers to learn sign language. With a seating capacity of close to 100, the café currently employs six to seven hearing and speech impaired persons who manage the guests by taking their orders and making them comfortable.
A Staff That Inspires- Behind the scenes, every team member is trained rigorously in hospitality, hygiene, and efficiency. They carry out tasks with immense professionalism - serving, clearing, taking feedback - all without saying a word, yet communicating volumes.
Café owner Kshitij Behl shares, “This is not a café built on sympathy - it’s built on skill, hard work, and belief. Our staff are not just employees; they are the core reason Echoes works. We’ve simply given them a platform to shine.” The community’s response to Echoes Café has been heartfelt and enthusiastic. For many, it’s not just a dining spot but a space that leaves a lasting impression. Regulars and first-time visitors alike are moved by the thoughtful concept and the grace with which it’s executed.
Siya, a college student shares her experience, “I had heard about Echoes Café from a friend, but actually being here is something else. The moment I stepped in, I felt a kind of quiet respect in the air. Ordering without speaking felt strange at first - but then it turned into something beautiful. The staff’s warmth, their attentiveness, and the way they made me feel seen without a single word - it was magical. I left not only full but emotionally touched. I even tried to pick up a few sign gestures from the chart at the table. It made me realise how much more inclusive our world could be if we just tried.”
Ayush, another college student from Sector-10 said, “I’ve been to cafés across the city, even abroad, but Echoes is something else. It humbles you. Watching these young men and women work with such precision, dedication, and dignity - without being able to speak or hear - was honestly eye-opening. We often complain about the smallest delays in service elsewhere, but here, the silence is respected, and patience becomes part of the experience. It made me rethink how communication works- not just in restaurants but in life. This café is more than food, it’s a mirror.” Yugant added, “I was amazed by how smoothly everything worked. It felt so different from any café I’ve ever visited. I left with a full heart - and a few sign language gestures learned!”
Neena Gill, shares a moving story, “As a parent and educator, I’m always looking for meaningful experiences for my kids. Echoes Café was a perfect choice. My children were curious at first -‘How will we order, Mom?’- but once we sat down and read the instructions, they were fascinated. They used the cue cards to communicate and watched the staff with admiration. One of my sons asked me, ‘Why don’t all restaurants have people like them working?’ It sparked a real conversation about ability, equality and respect. We didn’t just eat lunch- we learned a life lesson as a family. I truly wish more places embraced this kind of model.” And as Kritika Dua says, “Echoes Café isn’t just a place to eat- it’s a place to feel. I always end up giving a good amount of tip to the waiters. And I don’t mind at all as this is my way of supporting them and I think we all must do the same.”
More Than Just Food- The food at Echoes Café is hearty and satisfying - from loaded fries to burgers, sandwiches, pastas, milkshakes and cold brews. But it’s the experience that keeps people coming back.
Echoes is not just a café. It is a movement that says ability matters more than disability. It is a lesson in humility, gratitude and human connection.
As word spreads across Dwarka and beyond, Echoes Café continues to echo a powerful message- that silence, when embraced with dignity and understanding, can speak louder than words.

IN CONVERSATION WITH KSHITIJ BEHL THE MAN BEHIND ECHOES CAFÉ
In a city brimming with cafés and culinary trends, Echoes Café in Dwarka stands out for something far deeper than its menu. Here, the servers don’t speak- but their service speaks volumes. The café, run by hearing and speech impaired staff, is quietly shifting perceptions around ability and inclusion. And with visionaries like Kshitij Behl leading the way, it reminds us that true change begins with small, silent steps that echo far beyond their origin. We sat down with Kshitij Behl, the young and passionate founder of Echoes Café, to understand the vision behind this inspiring venture.

Q: What inspired you to start Echoes Café?
Echoes is a chain of restaurants that started in 2015. I have done Hotel Management from Dehradun. After my graduation, I worked with a five star hotel, restaurant and also McDonald's. But my dream was always to start my own café that would cater to not only youths but to also families. I, along with my friend, opened Echoes Café in Satya Niketan in 2015. My team and I did a lot of brainstorming to decide on ambience. As the café was to cater to families, we wanted it lighted and not dark and shady as all cafes are believed to be. The response was good and we got a lot of customers from South campus. We decided to open more cafes in Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Bangalore. But during covid and lockdown, all cafes were closed. In 2021 we reopened the café in Satya Niketan. We have one more café in Rohtak also, but the cafe in Satya Niketan has been shifted to Dwarka.  

Q: Why did you choose Dwarka as the location for this café?
Ans- Dwarka has a growing, aware and educated community. I felt it was the perfect place to introduce a model like Echoes. The café was inaugurated in February 2025. People here are curious, receptive and open to change. And I must say, the response has been incredible. In just six months, we've built a loyal customer base that supports our mission wholeheartedly.

Q. What was the idea behind a café with an inclusive staff model?
Ans- The idea was born from a desire to create something meaningful- something that serves good food and a social purpose. Also, when I decided to start my own restaurant, I did not want my restaurant to be run of the mill. I’ve always been passionate about inclusion and the rights of people with disabilities. I realized that while many speak about inclusivity, very few platforms actually practice it. That’s when the concept of Echoes came alive - a space where the hearing and speech impaired could not just work but thrive with dignity. We did deliberate on other types of challenged people but I thought the hearing impaired staff will be oblivious of the commotion in the restaurant and can focus on work silently.

Q. From where do you hire your staff?
Ans- Initially, we hired three staff members from Noida Deaf Society. The society had sent an interpreter with them. He was with us the whole day and we trained the staff. Now we don’t need interpreters. We now get people through our existing staff contacts and open online sources. There are no special tie-ups with any group. There are few who are with us from the beginning. They help us to train others. These staff are also given accommodation and salaries at par with any normal staff.

Q: What kind of training do the staff members undergo?
Ans- Each staff member is professionally trained in hospitality, hygiene, customer interaction and basic restaurant operations. But beyond skills, we focus on building confidence. Many of them have faced rejection or pity in the past. At Echoes, we make sure they feel respected and empowered. The pride they carry in their work is visible - and infectious.

Q: Have you faced any challenges while running this unique model?
Ans- Off course. Every new idea comes with its set of challenges. First objection came from my parents who questioned the efficiency of staff. “How can they take orders?” was their big question and the same applies to new customers. But once they experienced it, they became our biggest supporters. Logistically, training staff and designing the service system took time. But the smiles on both sides - the team and our guests - make it all worth it.

Q: What do you hope customers take away from their visit to Echoes?
Ans- I hope they leave with more than just a good meal. I want them to feel connected, inspired, and aware. We all live in a world filled with noise - Echoes is a space where silence carries meaning, dignity and purpose. If we can shift even a small part of people’s mindset about disability, I’d call it a success.

Q: What are your future plans for Echoes Café?
Ans-We want to expand, but thoughtfully. This isn’t just about franchising - it’s about creating more safe, respectful workspaces for differently-abled individuals. We are working on a project for females and transgenders and also with people with down syndrome.

Q: And finally, what message would you like to share with the community?
Ans- Don’t underestimate the power of silence. Sometimes, the most powerful conversations don’t need words. Come to Echoes - not to sympathize, but to understand, connect and celebrate human ability in all its forms. Our restaurant is based on the theme of positivity and hope and I assure that the customers will step out motivated by our special staff.