Today we’d like to introduce you to Rashmi Bhat
Hi Rashmi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up all over the world—born in India, then moving to France at six years old. That’s where I first fell in love with the hospitality world. The food culture in France is incredible, and as a kid, I was fascinated by the way food could bring people together. A few years later, we moved to Malaysia, and that’s where my love for hotels really began. The level of hospitality in Malaysia is unmatched—it’s warm, thoughtful, and deeply human. That spirit stuck with me.
I’ve always known I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I wasn’t sure *how* exactly, but the drive was always there. I still remember being in 8th grade in Malaysia, writing out a business plan to open a döner kebab place in a local plaza. Years later, I ended up opening 7 Monks Cafe with my mom. We may not serve döner kebabs, but we do offer Indian and Mediterranean food—so in a way, that dream came full circle.
When I was 15, I moved to the U.S. on a visa, which meant I couldn’t legally work, but I still wanted to be involved. I started volunteering at the library and then later at the front desk of a Country Inn & Suites. I *loved* every part of it. Once I got my green card, I dove into the restaurant world—starting as a dishwasher and eventually working in nearly every position: front desk, buffet line, kitchen—you name it. I also studied entrepreneurship at the University of Houston and took classes at the hospitality school just for fun. That passion never left me.
The idea for 7 Monks Cafe really started with our first business—a sandwich company under the brand **Bonjour Texas**. So many people asked if we offered Indian food, and that curiosity led us to start experimenting. We began as a small grab-and-go concept and officially opened 7 Monks as a fast casual Indian restaurant in October 2019. And then… March 2020 hit. Like everyone else in hospitality, we were thrown into survival mode when COVID hit—but the local community truly showed up for us. Their support kept us going during those tough times.
Working with my mom has been one of the best parts of this journey. We’re good at completely different things, and our dynamic just works. I also believe that you should do business with people you love—especially when you’re building something with heart.
Today, 7 Monks Cafe is thriving, and we’ve expanded into wholesale through **Bonjour Texas**. I’ve also launched *Toasty Indian*, a social media brand that documents my life as a modern Indian woman running businesses with her mom, sharing recipes, home remedies, and everyday moments. Everything I do comes back to the same core idea: making people feel welcome, nourished, and at home—no matter where in the world they’re from.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road—but I’ve learned that the bumps are where the growth really happens.
One of the biggest challenges came just months after we officially opened 7 Monks Cafe in October 2019. By March 2020, the world had completely changed with COVID-19. We were still finding our rhythm as a brand-new fast-casual restaurant, and suddenly, everything shut down. Like so many small businesses, we had to figure out overnight how to stay open, keep our team safe, and continue serving our community. It was scary. But honestly, the love and support we received from our customers during that time still gives me goosebumps. People showed up for us, and that gave us the strength to keep going.
Beyond COVID, there have been the everyday challenges of running a growing business—building systems from scratch, wearing all the hats, and figuring things out without a roadmap. When you’re working with family, there’s also an emotional layer to navigate. My mom and I are so different in our strengths, and early on, we had to really learn how to communicate and trust each other’s instincts. Now, I see that as one of our greatest assets.
We also had to fight the stereotype that Indian food is heavy or only something you eat for dinner. We wanted to make it fun, fresh, and approachable—something you could grab for lunch just like any other fast-casual cuisine. That meant rethinking not just the menu but also how we told our story to the world.
It hasn’t been easy—but every challenge has made us stronger, more creative, and more connected to our “why.”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is called **7 Monks Cafe**, and we’re a fast-casual Indian & Mediterranean restaurant based in downtown New Braunfels. At our core, we’re here to make Indian food feel *fun, fresh,* and *approachable*—whether you’ve grown up eating it or are trying it for the first time.
We specialize in colorful, vibrant dishes like chicken tikka masala bowls, paneer wraps, masala lemonade, and shawarma plates. Our flavors are bold, our ingredients are high-quality, and our vibe is warm and welcoming. Everything we serve is designed to be both comforting and crave-worthy.
What sets us apart is the blend of cultures we bring together—Indian and Mediterranean influences, a fast-casual format, and a menu that’s as perfect for a quick lunch as it is for a cozy dinner with friends. It’s also a deeply personal brand: I run 7 Monks with my mom, and together we’ve poured our heart and soul into creating a place that feels like home.
I think what I’m most proud of is that we’ve taken a cuisine that people sometimes feel intimidated by and made it something people look forward to in their everyday lives. We’ve had customers tell us that 7 Monks is where they tried Indian food for the first time—and now they’re hooked. That kind of feedback means everything.
If you’re ever in New Braunfels, come by and say hi. We’re not just a restaurant—we’re a little corner of the world where you can feel nourished, inspired, and connected through food.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
For me, it’s 100% **adaptability**.
The world changes fast—and so do people’s tastes, needs, and expectations. One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’ve built a business that’s willing to *pivot, experiment,* and *meet people where they are.*
We designed our menu to be approachable—even for guests who might be new to Indian food. That means easy-to-pronounce names, clear descriptions, and flavors that feel exciting but not intimidating. When COVID first hit, we quickly shifted from our usual operations to selling fresh-baked loaves of bread and taking online orders so people could safely pick up from us. More recently, for St. Patrick’s Day, we combined the energy of Holi (the Indian festival of colors) with the local celebration and created a special green drink with spicy pakoras—and our guests *loved* it.
Whether it’s the food we serve, the way we engage our community, or how we show up during tough times, I believe our ability to adapt—and do it with heart—is what’s helped us thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://7MonksCafe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7monkscafenb/ and https://www.instagram.com/toastyindian/
