When I think of Indian restaurants in Berlin, I think of cheap cocktails and chicken Madras. Café Tschüsch offers none of that. Instead, the menu consists of vegan and vegetarian dishes only. As I have never been to India, I personally can’t speak for their authenticity, but several friends that were lucky enough to have traveled there only had good reviews for this place.

Instead of a cocktail, you could go for a vegan lassi or chai, one of the delicious craft beers from a local brewing collective or choose from the largest selections of Mate that I’ve ever seen in Berlin. For those who don’t know: Mate refers to a carbonated, caffeinated drink that is based on the yerba mate tea from South America. Berlin is crazy about these and you should definitely give it a try!

Also, the atmosphere is somewhat different from your usual Indian restaurant. Café Tschüsch has the vibe of a student café from the ’70s – at least how I imagine it: a cozy hippie interior garnished with posters and flyers of Berlin’s left and anti-capitalistist scene. Accordingly, the café is very keen on supporting small cooperatives and local Kiez culture, sometimes hosting discussions and events.

If you want to try some vegan-vegetarian Indian cuisine while enjoying the alternative spirit of Berlin, it is definitely worth a visit.