Less than a year after opening its doors in Prague, Hues Kafe achieved a milestone few young independent cafés can claim.

The café was selected as an official catering partner for Miss Universe 2026 in Prague, successfully serving approximately 300 guests, including around 200 adults and 100 children.

For founder Sameer Shaikh, the moment felt surreal.

“When we received the opportunity, we had only two days to prepare. It was a huge responsibility, but also a proud moment for our entire team.”

Located in the heart of Prague, Hues Kafe has quickly built a reputation for its colorful presentation, specialty coffee, and unique Indian-European brunch concept. Unlike many cafés that rely on pre-prepared food, dishes at Hues Kafe are made fresh to order, combining flavors from different cultures while maintaining a focus on lighter, oil-free cooking.

One of the café’s distinguishing features is its coffee program. Sameer personally sources and develops unique blends, including combinations of Indian, Brazilian, and Colombian beans. His goal is not only to serve quality coffee but also to introduce more people to Indian coffee, which remains relatively unknown compared to many Latin American varieties.

The café itself was built entirely through personal savings accumulated during seven years of work as a UX/UI designer. Without outside investment or loans, launching the business came with significant challenges. Rising costs, sourcing ingredients, and establishing a new concept in a competitive market tested the business from the beginning.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hues Kafe (@hueskafe)

In fact, just weeks after opening, Sameer considered closing the café entirely.

“There were moments when I wasn’t sure if the concept would work. Every small win mattered. A busy day or a positive customer review gave me confidence to keep going.”

That persistence has paid off. Today, Hues Kafe welcomes a diverse mix of locals, tourists, creatives, families, and coffee enthusiasts. The café has become known not only for its menu but also for its welcoming atmosphere and focus on creativity.

The vision extends beyond food and coffee. Hues Kafe aims to become a community-driven space that supports local artists, exhibitions, and creative events, providing opportunities for emerging talent to showcase their work.

The name Hues itself reflects this philosophy. Inspired by color, contrast, and creativity, it represents the blend of cultures, ideas, and experiences that shape both the menu and the space.

For Sameer, Prague has become a second home since arriving from Mumbai several years ago. What began as a personal dream has evolved into a growing local business with international recognition.

From serving specialty coffee in a small Prague café to catering one of the world’s most recognized beauty pageants, Hues Kafe’s journey is still just beginning.

Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more