Curry with a conscience at Der Wiener Deewan
Only a 10 minute stroll from the majestic Ringstaße and Neo-Gothic Votive Church, you’ll find Der Wiener Deewan. The hip urbanite exterior houses a Pakistani kitchen, with an all-you-can-eat and pay-as-you-wish philosophy. The establishment opened its doors in 2005 on the “Day of the Unemployed”, April 30th and has not changed it’s price policy since.
Generosity and good cooking seems to have paid off as Der Wiener Deewan is constantly filled with people from all walks of life: hungry students from the nearby university campus, stray passers by, tourists with fancy cameras hanging around their necks. Inside they gather at the buffet, where they choose and mix between two meat curries, three vegetarian and vegan curries, salads, nan, rice and desserts. Each meal is accompanied by complementary water. All other beverages from sweet chai teas to mango lassis get put on the bill, but they are definitely worth it.
The façade is easy to spot thanks to a row of scrabble letters spelling out the restaurant’s name and an eye-catching sign resembling a map of the Viennese subway system. Upon a closer inspection you notice that the subway stations have been cleverly swapped with the names of different dishes.
This informal two and a half floor eatery is sprinkled with quirky decorations ranging from old newspaper-cut outs of Pakistani heroes to wallpapers made from exotic juice cartons. The graffiti scrawled walls add an alternative and hip feel. A bouquet of oriental aromas seep up from the basement where groups chat and laugh while comfortably sitting on a carpet of plush pillows.
On the middle floor of Deewan, the warm smiles of the chefs peek through the kitchen window. The establishment is overflowing with authenticity, from the spices that are ground and mixed in-house to the cheerful, positive vibe that permeates the place.
The Verdict:
Der Wiener Deewan has combined three trends: ethnic cuisine, urban decor and a social mind-set. Great Pakistani food, no matter what you end up paying.
Der Wiener Deewan – Click here
Liechtensteinstraße 10
1090 Vienna
01 / 925 11 85
Mon-Sat 11:00-23:00, Closed Sun & Holidays Buffet: 11:30 – 22:30
