The Indian restaurant Zaika in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg is somewhat different from the typical Indian restaurants of the city. The owner Harinder Singh attaches importance to the fact that the furnishing of his restaurant and the preparation of the dishes differ from the usual in Indian restaurants. Without a reservation in advance it is difficult to get a place at Zaika. Particularly on weekends many regular guests from the residential areas in the neighborhood come by for a cozy dinner. At Zaika guests sit in the middle of natural stone walls, with dull lighting and candlelight on wooden tables. The tables can easily be arranged for larger groups. In the lower floor there is another guest room with additional seats. In the summer Zaika also offers numerous tables in front of the restaurant.
Authentic Indian cuisine is served here; all dishes are freshly cooked to order. The name “Zaika” originally means “highly developed aromas” or simply “the taste”. The restaurant is famous for its red-and-yellow lentil soup with a lot of spices, such as chili, turmeric, mustard seeds and coconut. There are also various curries, biryanis, tandoori specialties as well as lamb, fish and duck dishes on the menu. Also the selection of food for vegetarians is large and varied. Of course there are the typical Indian dishes like Naan, Bhatura, Paneer, Chapati and Papadam. Zaika has also received an award: in the TV broadcast “Your place, my place” on cable 1, the restaurant was awarded first place.
