At first glance Indian cuisine can seem vast and a little mysterious. Before their first visit, many people wonder the same things: Will everything be too spicy? What should I even order? And will I find something I actually like? The good news is that a first Indian evening is easier and more relaxed than you think. You need no prior knowledge and no experience, just a little curiosity. In this article we take away the uncertainty, explain the most important dishes and show you how your first visit with us in Bern unfolds.

No Fear of the Spice

Let us clear up the biggest misunderstanding first: Indian does not automatically mean spicy. In Indian cuisine, heat is a matter of balance, never a must. Almost every dish can be prepared mild, medium or bold. Simply tell us what you like and we will adjust it for you.

One thing worth knowing: heat and flavour are not the same. Indian cuisine thrives on aromatic spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cumin and coriander, which bring warmth and depth without necessarily being hot. So anyone who prefers things mild misses nothing, quite the opposite. With less heat, the fine aromas of the spices come through even more clearly. You set the pace and we follow it.

Understanding the Building Blocks of an Indian Meal

An Indian meal is rarely a single dish on the plate. It is made up of several elements that play together. Once you know these building blocks, the menu becomes far easier to read:

• Starters such as Samosas or Pakoras set the mood for the meal.
• A curry often forms the heart of it, a dish with a sauce, mild or bold, with meat, fish or vegetables.
• Rice or bread belongs alongside to soak up the sauces, for example basmati rice or fresh Naan.
• Side dishes such as Dal, a lentil dish, or a cooling Raita round the meal off.
• Drinks and dessert bring the evening to a close.

You do not have to order everything at once. Even a curry with rice and Naan makes a lovely, complete meal.

What to Order the First Time

A wonderful introduction comes from a small selection that you share. That way you taste several flavours at once. This combination has proven itself well:

• A mild curry such as Butter Chicken, creamy and gentle in flavour, a perfect start.
• Something from the tandoor, for example Tandoori or Chicken Tikka from the clay oven, tender and delicately smoky.
• Fresh Naan and rice to soak up sauces and aromas.
• A fragrant Biryani, which is a whole meal in itself.
• A cooling Raita, whose yoghurt pleasantly balances the warm spices.

If you would rather browse in advance, you will find a good overview in our article on Indian cuisine for beginners and among the most popular Indian curries.

The Most Important Dishes Briefly Explained

To make the menu easier to read, here are the best-known dishes in brief:

• Butter Chicken: Tender chicken in a creamy, slightly sweet tomato sauce. Mild and hugely popular with newcomers.
• Chicken Tikka Masala: Grilled pieces of chicken in a spiced, creamy sauce. A world-famous classic.
• Korma: A mild curry with a fine sauce of yoghurt or nuts, often slightly sweet.
• Biryani: An aromatic rice dish, layered with meat or vegetables and noble spices.
• Dal: A hearty lentil dish, nourishing and wonderful with rice.
• Naan: Soft flatbread from the clay oven, ideal for dipping.
• Samosa: Crisp pastry parcels, filled with spiced potatoes or minced meat.
• Raita: Yoghurt with cucumber or spices, cooling and balancing.

With this little bit of knowledge, the choice becomes much easier. You quickly recognise what suits your taste.

Halal, Vegetarian, Vegan: Something for Everyone

A first visit should work for the whole group. With us the entire menu is halal, so you have nothing to sort out. On top of that comes a large vegetarian and vegan selection, since a big part of Indian cuisine is naturally plant-based. That way everyone at the table finds a dish, from a hearty meat curry to a fine lentil dish. If you eat vegan, it is best to ask briefly and we will gladly show you the right dishes.

Drinks with Indian Food

Indian food pairs with more than just water. A classic is the Lassi, a creamy yoghurt drink that comes sweet or salted. The Mango Lassi is especially popular and pleasantly softens the warmth of the spices. If you prefer something warm, reach for a Chai, the spiced black tea with milk. A simple still water is a good choice too, as it lets the aromas work undisturbed. That way you quickly find the companion that suits your meal and your taste.

How an Evening with Us Unfolds

Eating Indian is sociable. People like to order several dishes, place them in the middle and taste together. That is exactly where the charm lies. You do not have to commit to a single dish but taste your way through several aromas. Our team guides you calmly through the menu, recommends fitting combinations and adjusts the heat to suit you.

So you do not need to know anything in advance. There are no strict rules and no reason to be nervous. Using a piece of Naan as a spoon is just as welcome as knife and fork. Simply come, let yourself be guided and enjoy the evening at ease. You can read more about an evening with us on the page Indian food in Bern.

How Much Should I Order?

A common uncertainty the first time is the quantity. A good rule of thumb: one main dish per person, plus rice or bread to share. Anyone who orders several dishes for the group and places them in the middle almost always gets it right. That way everyone tastes a bit of everything without too much being left over. It is better to start with a little less, as you can always order more.

Naan and rice fill you up as well, which is why it pays not to overdo it with those. Our team will gladly give you an estimate of how much suits your group. Just ask, we advise you with pleasure so that you go home full and content.

Small Table Customs, Completely Relaxed

There are no strict rules around Indian food that you have to follow. Traditionally, much is eaten by hand, more precisely with a piece of Naan that serves as a little spoon for curries and sauces. You are welcome to try this, it is part of the experience and it is fun. Knife and fork are just as fine, whichever you prefer.

Eating happens together and at ease. People share, taste from one another’s plates and take their time. It is exactly this conviviality that makes an Indian meal what it is. You cannot do anything right or wrong, you simply enjoy.

The Sweet Finish: Indian Desserts

To close, it is worth a look at the sweet side of Indian cuisine. A classic is Gulab Jamun, small dough balls soaked in syrup, warm and sweet. Kheer is a creamy rice pudding with cardamom, fine and soothing after a spiced meal. And Kulfi, the Indian ice cream, brings a cool, dense sweetness with flavours such as mango or pistachio.

A dessert is the lovely finale of an Indian evening. It rounds off the aromas and lets the meal wind down slowly. If you prefer something lighter, close with a Chai, the spiced milk tea that warms so wonderfully.

Common Questions Before the First Visit

Whatever the Occasion You Come For

A first Indian meal suits many occasions. As a relaxed dinner for two, when you want to discover something new together. With the family, because the mild cuisine and the wide selection appeal to children too. Or with friends, when you order, share and let the evening wind down slowly. It is precisely in sharing that Indian cuisine unfolds all its charm, since that way everyone tastes several dishes.

Over lunch, too, a first visit is lovely, quick and uncomplicated. Whatever the occasion you come for, you need no preparation. You sit down, let yourself be advised and enjoy. That is exactly how a first time should be.

Your First Visit to India4U in Bern

Since 2008 we have stood at Belpstrasse 11 in Bern for authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine, home-made and halal-certified. More than 700 guest reviews with an average of 4.3 stars show that the first visit is worthwhile and often does not stay the last. You will find us just a few minutes’ walk from Bern railway station, with opening hours at lunchtime, in the evening and on Sundays too.

Dare to try, your first Indian meal will be more relaxed than you expect. Take a look at our menu and secure a table through our booking. We look forward to guiding you through your first evening, in the heart of Bern.