Japanese dessert and dining chain Harajuku Tokyo Café has raised ₹19 crore in a seed funding round led by Indian Angel Network (IAN), with participation from Samved VC, LetsVenture and Capitar Ventures. The company, founded in 2021 by Gaurav Kanwar, plans to use the capital to accelerate its rollout across India’s metro and emerging markets.
Currently operating seven outlets in Delhi NCR and Mumbai, the brand has already clocked an annual recurring revenue of over ₹30 crore. With fresh backing, Harajuku Tokyo Café is aiming for a steep scale-up: 90 outlets across 20 cities and a revenue target of ₹200 crore by 2027. Letters of intent have already been signed for 15 new locations, including Ludhiana and Chandigarh, alongside further expansion in Delhi and Mumbai.
“The idea was always to make Japanese cuisine accessible and aspirational for Indian consumers,” said Gaurav Kanwar, Founder and CEO. “This funding milestone allows us to build a strong national footprint and deepen our category leadership.”
The fundraising comes at a time when India’s casual dining market is seeing strong investor appetite. According to industry reports, the segment is projected to grow at a double-digit CAGR through the decade, fuelled by rising disposable incomes and younger consumers seeking global food experiences.
IAN’s investment highlights the growing confidence in niche dining formats. Commenting on the deal, investors noted the café’s ability to blend international flavours with scalable unit economics, a rare mix in India’s food services market.
For Harajuku Tokyo Café, the next two years will be critical as it moves from a regional brand to a national chain. If execution aligns with ambition, the pastel-toned Japanese café could soon be a familiar sight in high streets and malls across India.
