In the 19th century, the city of Mumbai (then Bombay) heaved with grand dining rooms run by Parsi emigrants. Nicknamed Bombay or Irani cafés, they served diverse traditional dishes, each with their own signature flair. This is the concept of Charlottenburg’s new haunt, Bunty’s, which opened in October 2018. Owner Suhasish “Bunty” Chakraborty and head chef Rajbir Singh have designed the menu to read like a culinary journey through the Indian subcontinent, adapting to market availability, seasonality and dietary preferences. We began with delicately spiced housemade chai and a fresh mango lassi before indulging our taste buds in an extravaganza of rich spices, textures and flavors. Our main course featured battered kale served with tamarind chutney, mint yoghurt and pomegranate, followed by marinated fish steamed in banana leaves and a South Indian hopper (a thin, crispy pancake made from rice flour and coconut milk) with vegetable curry. The service here is as warm as the food is satisfying; the interior embodies a pared back elegance. We’re calling it: Bunty’s is single-handedly ushering in a new era for refined Indian dining in Berlin. (Text: Anna Dorothea Ker / Photos: Pamina Aichhorn)

Bombay Café Bunty’s, Knesebeckstr.18, 10623 Berlin-Charlottenburg; map

Tue-Fri 12-23h, Sat-Sun 17-23h