Terrassen Cafe Review: A Slow-Cooking Gem In Hyderabad’s Vegan Landscape

Disclaimer: The author visited the restaurant multiple times at her own expense. This is not a sponsored article. The images used in this article are the author’s personal photos and are not to be reused for any purposes whatsoever. Read about our editorial policies.

By now, I’ve lost count of the number of times I have visited Terrassen Cafe in Hyderabad. I have personally witnessed the cafe’s journey over the years, as they navigated the challenges of sustaining in the low-demand vegan food space, moved to various locations and yet, thrived with constant innovations in their menu, while retaining the timeless favorites. 

Hyderabad’s first vegan cafe started way back in 2015, Terrasen was also the first plant-based cafe I ever visited when I had turned vegan five years ago. I was quite unsure about sustaining the lifestyle back then. But I remember how their delicious plant-based alternatives of cheese and meat blew my mind and made me realize that vegan food can be quite eclectic. 

As the cafe gets ready to open a branch in Mumbai, I sit down to write this long-pending review of Terrasen Cafe. Let’s begin with the highlights? 

Best Parts About Terrassen Cafe Hyderabad

# An ode to a plethora of cuisines

One of the best parts about Terrassen is that the founder Dhanesh Sayani handpicks unique local dishes from various corners of India and abroad, and gives them a vegan twist here. So on the menu, you will find Bihar’s Litti Chokha, Rajasthan’s Laal Maas (made with mock meat), Sindhi Chaap, Persian-Gujarati Dhansak, Egyptian Kushari and Om Ali, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani and Haleem, and of course an array of Punjabi delicacies like Dal Makhani and Butter Chykn, all created with plant-based butter, curd and cashew cheese.

# Use of sprouted heirloom flours

Another aspect that sets Terrassen apart is that they have always believed in slow cooking and using healthy sprouted heirloom flours. That is why your food will take time to reach you as the dishes are freshly created after the orders are placed. Also, the use of sprouted whole wheat flours in the kulchas and pizzas make them highly nutritious and offer them a very distinct taste and flavor profile, forcing your palate to stop and savor what you’re eating. 

However, due to huge public demand, the cafe had to introduce a few refined wheat flour dishes as well in recent years, such as the buns used in Vada Pav and Pav Bhaji, resulting in a wider variety of options for vegans. 

The Ambience Of Terrassen Cafe Hyderabad

Terrassen Cafe’s ambience has always been very earthy and intimate, with a lot of natural elements blending in with the decor and interiors. It has also been a pet-friendly and LGBTQ-friendly space that hosts cultural events regularly. 

However, their latest location in Hyderabad is at The Joint, a cool, open-air space shared by other restaurant brands. This has brought in a few limitations to the otherwise inclusive Terrassen cafe. Thankfully, Dhanesh confirmed that they will be looking for another exclusive space soon. 

Food & Drinks At Terrassen Cafe Hyderabad

Terrassen serves a huge variety of vegan food, which includes burgers, pizzas, kombuchas, sandwiches, naans, kulchas, biryani, chaats and desserts. Here are some of my top picks from all the food I have eaten at Terrassen over the last 5 years:

Fidget Spinner – One of my all-time favorite appetizers from Terrassen, this soft and delicious sweet potato patty comes with a generous dollop of in-house cashew cheese, further sprinkled with a refreshing cucumber-coconut salad. Just one bite was enough to convince me about how irresistible cashew-based cheese can be. 

Good Turtle Pizza – Another must-try here, this crisp sprouted whole wheat flour base is topped with perfectly seasoned mushrooms, smoked tofu, bell peppers, and their rich and creamy cashew cheese. 

Litti Chokha – This is a popular Bihari delicacy in which roasted wheat balls are stuffed with a protein-rich bengal gram filling. However, the ultimate winner of this dish is the flavorful mashed eggplant curry it is served with. They also have an option of Aloo Chokha (mashed potato curry). 

Tofu Tikka – Loaded with a dollop of tangy tikka masala, the carefully-roasted and perfectly-marinated tofu pieces are an absolute delight as is and also teams beautifully with their naans. 

Garlic Naan with Chaap Tikka – Terrassen’s naan is very interesting as it apes the traditional Hyderabadi Chaar Koni Naan or the Mughal Khameeri Naan, which is quite different from the usual ones you find at most restaurants. Fluffier and softer, it is topped with smoked garlic chunks and I could eat them without any sides, quite honestly. We tried the Chaap Tikka with it and the pair was a total hit. The succulent chaap soaked in a smoky tandoori masala melted in the mouth instantly. 

Laal Maas – The cafe nails the deep red gravy by using the authentic Mathania chillies from Rajasthan. In terms of the mock meat prepared with jackfruit, it doesn’t practically mimic the exact texture of mutton and yet, you’ll love the unique meaty texture. It’s served with a cashew sour cream on the side that I highly recommend mixing with the gravy. It helps cut down the spice a tad bit. 

Dahi Puri – This leads to a burst of flavor in the mouth as the stuffing of the pocket pooris with the spiced vegan curd, sweet tamarind chutney, mashed potatoes, onions and sev make for a delightful combo.

Pav Bhaji – Though a widely-found dish across Indian streets, most vegans miss out on Pav Bhaji as every vendor uses butter to make them and the bread usually contains milk powder. So, Terrassen sticks to its authentic taste and gives us a creamy tomato-based bhaji and dairy free pav.

Hot Chocolate – Terrassen serves one of the thickest versions of Hot Chocolate created with ragi, adding a rich and dense flavor to the classic drink. 

Masala Chaas – One of the most refreshing drinks that doubles up as a probiotic, they use fermented rice curd and flavor it with fresh coriander and mint leaves for a herby twist. 

Om Ali – This has to be devoured while it’s piping hot! A traditional Egyptian baked bread pudding soaked in milk, their vegan version created with almond milk hits all the right notes. The charred brown nutty toppings add a slightly crunchy layer to the soft dessert. 

TWT Experience Summary Of Terrassen Cafe Hyderabad

Be it their heirloom sprouted wheat flour breads, traditional take on plant-based naans, scrumptious cashew cheese-based dishes or flavor-packed mock meat curries, Terrassen Cafe keeps pulling me back with their delectable slow-cooked vegan food. 

The myriad flavors that their menu offers from various regions of the country and the world also makes them hugely-loved among the vegan community in Hyderabad. And despite offering international food, the vibe and feel of the place remains very earthy and home-like, reminding you of the rich culinary traditions of India.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Terrassen Cafe Hyderabad

1. What kind of cuisine does Terrassen Cafe Hyderabad offer? 

Terrassen Cafe offers global vegan food ranging from American, Italian and Asian to Egyptian and Indian. However, their Indian dishes inspired by local cuisines of various states are their most popular and best selling items, including naans, biryanis and mock meat curries. 

2. Is Terrassen Cafe Hyderabad worth visiting?

Absolutely, Terrassen Cafe celebrates various cuisines and adds a delightful vegan twist to them. They also majorly serve healthy and nutritious dishes made with heirloom sprouted wheat flours, making them very popular among health conscious patrons. 

3. Does Terrassen Cafe Hyderabad serve any dairy products or non-vegetarian food?

No, Terrassen is a 100% vegan cafe and doesn’t serve any non-vegetarian dishes. They serve plant-based versions of chicken and mutton created using mock meats, cashew cheese, almond milk and peanut curd. 

 

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