If you eat vegan, you probably know the feeling: you search the menu for ages and still end up with a salad. Indian cuisine is different. A large part of it is naturally plant-based, shaped over generations in which many people cooked entirely without meat. That is why, at India4U on Belpstrasse, you will find a wide choice of dishes that are vegan or can be prepared vegan, which makes us a natural address for vegan food in Bern. In this article we explain why Indian cuisine suits a plant-based diet so well, which of our dishes are purely plant-based and what is worth keeping in mind when you order.
Vegan Food in Bern, Right in the City Centre
Bern has a lively vegan scene, and the demand for good plant-based food grows year after year. We are centrally located at Belpstrasse 11, just a few minutes’ walk from the station, so you can reach us easily by public transport. Whether after work, before the cinema or for a relaxed dinner with friends, with us you get plant-based cooking with real flavour, not just a token option tucked away at the edge of the menu.
The best part is that you never have to choose between enjoying your food and the way you eat. Indian cuisine works with so many spices, pulses and vegetables that a purely plant-based dish tastes every bit as rich and satisfying as any other. Many of our guests who usually eat meat order the vegetarian and vegan dishes simply because they are so good.
Why Indian Cuisine Is Made for Vegans
Indian cuisine has a long tradition of meat-free eating. In many regions of India, people cook mainly plant-based food for cultural and religious reasons, and over the centuries this has given rise to an astonishing variety. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, vegetables and rice form the foundation, and the art lies in refining them with spices so that every dish gains its own character.
These spices are the reason plant-based Indian dishes never taste bland. Cumin, turmeric, coriander, ginger, garlic and fresh chillies give every curry depth and warmth. What other cuisines often achieve with butter, cream or meat comes here from the careful interplay of spices. That is exactly why Indian cuisine lends itself so naturally to plant-based eating, without anything missing.
Our Plant-Based Dishes
At India4U you will find a whole range of dishes that are plant-based from the ground up. A classic is dal, a lentil dish slowly simmered with spices that arrives at the table wonderfully smooth and velvety. Then there are chickpea dishes such as chana masala, spicy and filling at the same time. Vegetable curries are also at the heart of plant-based cooking, for example with cauliflower and potatoes, with spinach or with aubergine.
Our guests keep coming back to this plant-based selection:
- Dal, the lentil dish, mildly or boldly spiced, ideal with rice.
- Chana Masala, a hearty chickpea curry with tomatoes and spices.
- Aloo Gobi, cauliflower and potatoes, cooked dry with turmeric and cumin.
- Seasonal vegetable curry, made with fresh market vegetables depending on what is available.
- Basmati rice, light and fragrant, the perfect base for any sauce.
Many of these dishes are built on a base of onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic, which makes them naturally vegan. We also cook with oil rather than butter or ghee, which keeps many of our dishes plant-based from the start. If you like, we will put together a complete meal for you that fills you up and shows off the full richness of the spices.
What to Keep in Mind When Eating Vegan
To make sure your meal is truly plant-based, a quick word about a few ingredients is worthwhile. Not everything that looks vegetarian is automatically vegan. Paneer, for example, is an Indian fresh cheese and therefore a dairy product, even though it features in many vegetarian dishes. Likewise, some curries are finished with a little cream, yoghurt or butter, which makes them creamier but does not suit a vegan diet.
It is worth taking a closer look at the bread, too. Naan is often made with yoghurt or milk and is therefore not always vegan. A chapati or roti, on the other hand, usually consists of nothing more than flour and water and goes well with a plant-based meal. Crisp papadam made from lentil flour is another lovely plant-based side.
That may sound like a lot of little rules, but in practice it is very simple. Just tell us when you order that you eat vegan, and we will point out the suitable dishes and leave out ingredients such as cream or butter wherever possible. That way you can be sure your plate stays truly plant-based, without having to study the menu at length.
Vegan and Genuinely Filling
One prejudice is stubbornly persistent: that plant-based food does not fill you up. With Indian cuisine, the very opposite is true. Lentils, chickpeas and beans provide plenty of plant protein and, together with rice, make a meal that keeps you going for a long time. That is one of the reasons these dishes have always been part of everyday life in India for many people who do hard physical work.
Then there is the balance on the plate. A dal with rice, a vegetable curry and a cooling side together make a well-rounded meal that combines carbohydrates, protein and plenty of vegetables. Anyone who heads home after eating with us rarely does so with a rumbling stomach. Plant-based Indian cuisine is hearty, warming and satisfying, entirely without meat.
For Groups with Different Preferences
It often happens that not everyone at the table eats the same way. Some are vegan, others love meat, others again eat halal. This is exactly where Indian cuisine plays to its strengths, because it is all about sharing. Instead of everyone getting their own dish, you place several bowls in the middle of the table and everyone tries a bit of everything.
That way nobody is left settling for a compromise. The vegan guests help themselves to dal, chickpeas and vegetable curries, while the others add their meat dish. Because everything is shared, the meal becomes a sociable occasion where different preferences are not a problem but actually make the variety even more enjoyable. Just tell us who is in your group, and we will gladly help you choose.
Halal, Vegetarian and Vegan Under One Roof
At India4U our entire range is halal-certified, and on top of that comes our large plant-based selection. That makes us a place where very different ways of eating come together, without anyone being left out. If you eat vegan, you will find just as much to enjoy as someone looking for a hearty meat dish or someone who eats halal.
This openness matters to us, because good food should bring people together. Since 2008 we have been cooking on Belpstrasse with fresh ingredients and great care, and plant-based dishes are naturally part of that for us. They are not an afterthought but a firm and much-loved part of our kitchen. If you would like to discover more of our meat-free favourites, you will find further ideas among our vegetarian Indian classics.
How to Enjoy Vegan Food at India4U
Eating vegan with us is easy. It is best to let us know right at the start that you eat plant-based, and we will guide you through the suitable dishes and answer any questions about the ingredients. Whether in the restaurant at our table or as a takeaway at home, the plant-based selection is open to you either way.
If you like, take a look at our menu beforehand and pick out your favourites. For an evening in the restaurant, reserve a table through our booking page, especially if you are coming as a larger group. We look forward to showing you how rich and varied plant-based Indian cuisine can taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat vegan at India4U?
Yes. A large part of Indian cuisine is naturally plant-based, such as dal, chickpea dishes and vegetable curries. Tell us when you order that you eat vegan, and we will show you the suitable dishes.
Which of your dishes are purely plant-based?
Classics such as dal made from lentils, chana masala made from chickpeas, aloo gobi with cauliflower and potatoes, and various vegetable curries are plant-based. Fragrant basmati rice goes perfectly with them.
Is paneer vegan?
No. Paneer is an Indian fresh cheese and therefore a dairy product. For a vegan meal, it is better to choose dishes based on lentils, chickpeas or vegetables.
Is naan vegan?
Not always, as naan is often made with yoghurt or milk. A chapati or roti made from flour and water is the better plant-based choice, as is papadam made from lentil flour.
Does plant-based Indian food fill you up?
Yes. Lentils, chickpeas and beans provide plenty of plant protein and, together with rice, make a meal that keeps you going for a long time.
Can vegans and non-vegans order at the same table?
Absolutely. Indian cuisine is all about sharing, so vegan and other dishes combine easily. Simply place several bowls in the middle of the table and try them together.
Vegan Indian Food in Bern, at India4U
Since 2008 we have cooked authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine at Belpstrasse 11 in Bern, home-made and halal-certified. More than 700 guest reviews with an average of 4.3 stars show that we are worth the visit, whether you eat vegan, vegetarian or meat. With us, the plant-based variety of Indian cuisine unfolds in all its breadth.
Come by and let us show you how much flavour a plant-based meal can hold. Take a look at our menu or reserve a table through our booking page. We look forward to welcoming you, in the heart of Bern.