At the beginning of the year, social media successfully influenced me when they showed me this South Asian-inspired brunch place called Desi Diner in Neukölln.
The place seemed to have a very refreshing take on one of the most sought-after meals in Berlin. And after working around their tricky opening hours (we’ll talk about this later), we finally managed to go!
Desi Diner’s Culinary Adventure: Pakora Waffles, Reuben & More
We started with their Reuben sandwich (€12), with homemade pastrami, swiss cheese, sauerkraut and a hint of mango chutney on a beautifully toasted rye bread; this was a beautiful savory sandwich. The pastrami was super soft and flavorful and contrasted beautifully with the toasty, crunchy bread and the tartness of the sauerkraut. I would love a bit more mango chutney to bring something extra, but that is nitpicking; this sandwich was easily a 9/10.
We also had the Grilled Cheese Paratha (€4), a lovely flatbread filled with a lot of cheese and a tart tamarind chutney sprinkled with coriander. This was a cheese lover’s dream, especially since it is basically cheese, and the flatbread makes it easier to hold while the chutney gives it a lovely, distinct flavor.
But the one that got my heart and made us write this was their Pakora Waffles with Masala Chicken (€14). Oh boy, what a perfectly executed and unique take on chicken and waffles. The onion and spices in the chickpea flour pakora waffles make them much more interesting than regular waffles and make them feel like they are good for you. The juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside chicken is perfectly cooked and seasoned, and just thinking about it makes me want to go back there tomorrow morning. Needless to say, the chilly maple syrup is a match made in heaven for this dish.
Their food is special and beautifully executed; all the dishes we tried were out of the ordinary!
We also had their super delicious Chai (€3) and the filtered coffee (€2.50).
Is Desi Diner Berlin’s Best Kept Brunch Secret?
Now, let’s talk about why I was having beef with Desi Diner. How dare they not open regularly on weekends, when people with full-time in-person jobs like me could go and enjoy their beautiful dishes. Recently, they also started opening on the first Saturday of each month, so we mortals can also come and enjoy their beautiful dishes during the weekends.
We really want this place to have the recognition it deserves, and it kind of worries us that it is in such a hidden area. So, if you are in Neukolln and want to have a delicious breakfast/brunch/lunch, definitely don’t skip Desi Diner!
Desi Diner Review: Pakora Waffles & Culinary Magic in Neukölln
Thiemannstraße 1, 12059
Berlin
