Mela

On Crellestraße in Schöneberg, Mela serves North Indian cuisine with a clear focus: fresh ingredients, high-quality spices, and a tandoor oven from which the skewers emerge. Coupled with warm service, this makes the unassuming restaurant one of the city's most reliable Indian addresses.

North Indian Cuisine on Crellestraße in Schöneberg

“Mela” means “festival” or “gathering” in Sanskrit, and that’s exactly how every guest should feel here. The Indian restaurant is located on Crellestraße in Berlin-Schöneberg, making it part of a quieter, almost village-like neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle. From the outside, Mela intentionally appears unassuming, and the interior also keeps its distance from the usual Bollywood style. Nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, the space feels pleasantly grounded. The dishes originate from the northern part of India.

Mela: Tandoor, Thali and Fresh Sauces

At Mela, emphasis is placed on Indian tradition, high-quality spices, and fresh ingredients. The traditional North Indian cuisine relies on the tandoor, a clay oven built into the ground and heated with charcoal, in which meat, fish, and poultry are cooked on metal skewers over embers. If you can’t decide, opt for the Thali: three different dishes are served on one plate with salad and rice. In addition, chicken, lamb, and fish dishes are available, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The food is served fresh with homemade sauces, and cooked without glutamate. Mela is also worthwhile for families: children are warmly welcome, and there’s a large playground next to the restaurant.