When we opened the Favela Brazilian Café in 2019, six months before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we had a clear dream: to create a community space where people could meet each other, and where we could also get to know every customer who walked in. And that’s exactly what happened.
The “customers” quickly became friends. We didn’t just learn their names; many times, we got to know their families, stories, challenges, and joys. The opposite was also true: these friends got to know us deeply, recognizing when we needed help or when we were organizing something special for the community.
With a touch of sadness and a lot of affection, these same friends and family said goodbye to us when we left the United States to begin a new journey in Portugal. They knew we had a bigger project in mind: to adopt a child and expand the reach of Favela Brazilian Café to other communities around the world. That’s how Setúbal became our new home.
Now, nearly two months since opening the café in Setúbal and almost a year since moving to Portugal, we’re beginning to feel our hearts connect again with other hearts. Locals, digital nomads, travelers passing through – little by little, we’re creating new connections.
We’re showing who we are and how we see life: PURE CONNECTION.
Many people are still trying to figure out what Favela Brazilian Café is. To some, we’re just a place that serves specialty coffee. To others, we’re a space for cultural events. To many, we’re a refuge where the owners call you by name, where the food is crafted with love, and where the colorful room filled with plants contrasts with the gray of the surrounding buildings.
The truth? We’re all of that and more. We like to call ourselves a “Cultural Café,” but in reality, there’s no label that defines us. We’re simply us.
How Favela Brazilian Café’s Connection Is Revolutionizing the Coffee and Food Industry
What sets us apart is this relentless pursuit of genuine connections. Here, it’s not just about serving amazing coffee or delicious dishes – it’s about how those moments create memories and build bridges between people. The food at Favela Brazilian Café is also an extension of this philosophy, reflecting our belief that sharing a meal is one of the most profound acts of connection.
Every dish or coffee that comes out of our kitchen is more than just a product; it’s an invitation to connect, to exchange stories, and to strengthen community bonds. Our vision is to transform the way people experience not just coffee, but also food – with soul, purpose, and care.
Thank you for making space in your life for curiosity, for trusting this concept called connection. We look forward to meeting you, calling you by name, and saying that you, too, are part of this community of good-hearted people.
With love,
Rodrigo e Dunya
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