Indian cuisine is so diverse and rich in flavor and regional traditions that it would take a lifetime to fully explore. Most of us have likely tried it many times before, here or perhaps in India itself, but there is always more to discover. The India Club in Mitte is an invitation to take a closer look at North Indian cuisine, in a setting that feels like a journey itself. The interior, with its dark woods, handcrafted mosaic tables and bold colors, pulls you straight out of everyday Berlin life. What arrives at the table is just as varied and striking. Under the direction of Manish Bahukhandi, who grew up in New Delhi and has since received numerous accolades, many of the dishes are prepared in the tandoor, a traditional clay oven used to gently cook meat and vegetables. The masalas, or spice blends, are freshly ground in-house and tailored to each dish.
The lamb and chicken come from the restaurant’s own organic farm, Gut Vorder Bollhagen, on the Baltic Sea. Classics like butter chicken are on the menu, but so are dishes that show off the depth of this cuisine, like the black dal, which is cooked for over 24 hours. Anyone who prefers to leave the choice to the kitchen can order the three-course Culinary Journey menu. And because dishes are often shared, more tends to end up on the table than originally planned. Vegetarian and vegan options work just as well here. Lentils, paneer, chickpeas and regional vegetables are not a compromise, but a menu of their own. To finish, there is saffron kulfi or mango basil sorbet. India Club is the kind of place where you take your time.
Text: Isabelle Marten / Photos: India Club Restaurant
India Club, Behrenstr.72, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
@india.club.berlin
