🍨My Daughter’s Favorite: The “2D Café”
Let’s start not with my favorite café, but with my younger daughter’s. 😄
The “2D Café,” located near Berlin’s most famous department store, KaDeWe, was just a short walk from her school. After classes, she and her friends often stopped by to enjoy drinks and cakes while chatting the afternoon away. Every time she showed me photos, I couldn’t help thinking, “What a stylish place to hang out after school!” — and, I’ll admit, I felt a little envious.
One day, during the summer holidays, my older daughter returned from Paris, and after a bit of shopping together, we finally decided to visit this spot that my younger daughter loved so much. 😊
I was a little nervous, imagining the place would be filled with teenagers, but to my relief, there were also women from my own generation — the “Madame” type. (Although, to be honest, I don’t really think of myself as a Madame… 😄 Still, it was nice to know I wasn’t the only one over 20 in the room!)
What struck me most was the interior design. The black-and-white space looked as if it were drawn in pen and ink, creating a surreal illusion — flat surfaces that appeared three-dimensional. In photos, it truly felt like we’d stepped into a 2D world. The whole experience reminded me a little of A-ha’s old music video Take On Me — a unique and playful atmosphere that’s hard to forget.
We ordered a croffle — a croissant-based waffle topped with matcha cream. Its buttery aroma and light texture made it richer and more flavorful than a regular waffle. The portion was a bit small, though, and I found myself wishing for more!
My older daughter tried the popular “Choco Oreo” drink with brownie pieces and vanilla ice cream — sweet, indulgent, and absolutely delicious.
I have to say, teenagers today spend their afternoons in far more stylish ways than I ever did. Back in my high school days in Japan, we’d stop by a little snack shop near the school or sip a McDonald’s milkshake — that was about as exciting as it got. 😅 Still, it made me happy to finally experience a place where my daughter had shared so many good times with her friends.
Before we left Berlin for good, my younger daughter took her café adventures to the next level — hopping from one spot to another with her friends and exploring the city’s café scene to the fullest. 😄
Berlin is full of unique and creative cafés, so if you ever visit, be sure to spend some time discovering your own favorite coffee spot! ☕✨
🍛A Favorite Restaurant — “Amrit,” Our Go-To Indian Place
Next, I’d love to share one of my and my older daughter’s favorite restaurant: the Indian restaurant Amrit.
We first went there when we were living near Nollendorfplatz. It was close to our home, so we decided to give it a try — and it quickly became a place we returned to again and again.
I’ve always loved Indian food. When I was working in Hanzomon, Tokyo, I often had lunch at the many Indian restaurants near my office. So when I mentioned how much I was craving a rich butter chicken again, my daughter said she wanted to try it too — and that’s how we discovered Amrit.
The butter chicken here is truly special — the sauce is rich and creamy, and it pairs perfectly with freshly baked naan. It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to order seconds. And don’t skip the lassi — its gentle sweetness and refreshing flavor balance the spices beautifully.
The restaurant also has a terrace, which makes dining even more enjoyable on sunny days. The service is quick and efficient too, which is another reason we love coming here.
The last time we visited was at their Friedrichstraße location. As always, my daughter went for her favorite butter chicken, while I chose a mild, vegetable-based vegan curry. With its delicate spice and comforting flavor, it was the perfect meal to savor together.
One more thing that really stood out that day was the price. My daughter, who lives in Paris, was amazed that a lunch curry cost only €8–9. In Paris, it’s now normal for lunch to cost well over €10. “It’s incredible that you can eat something this delicious for such a price!” she said, delighted. I used to think Berlin was getting expensive — but clearly, Paris is on another level.
Of course, we can’t eat out every day. And that’s why I decided to make a version we could enjoy at home — which eventually led to the creation of my own butter chicken recipe. 😊 If you’d like to enjoy a butter chicken inspired by our meals at Amrit, take a look at my recipe here 👉 Rich & Creamy Butter Chicken Curry
