Bombastic, German Bakery

German Bakery, Pune

The Basics - Small and swanky, light and mostly healthy food, young and old both fine here. nothing great about the food, it's more about the experience.

The Address - North Main Road, Koregaon Park, near O Hotel. 

The Verdict - A must for a backpacker on the Koregaon Park backpacking trail. 

German Bakery has a long history, starting from 1987 when this humble place was called Chit Chat, and is one that is etched in a lot of Poonaites hearts. The bakery re-opened its doors to its patrons early this year and has no signs of the Pune blasts, unlike other cafes like Leopolds' in Mumbai. 

German Bakery is no longer the cheap, communal eating place it used to be. It's swanky now, and the self-service counter has disappeared. It's painted green and white with cute pictures painted across the wall. The waiters are well trained now but slow and disorganized. You feel like you're in a restaurant that is still a café. 

Although they did their best to erase the horrible blasts we are still reminded of it with the security checks at the entrance and the no-laptops policy. German Bakery was and still is a hangout spot for all the Osho guys and college kids. It was known for its open smoking culture and welcoming nature. 

Story goes that a young German lad, craving for some of his home food, introduced an array of German dishes and breads, causing the managers to officially change Chit Chat to German Bakery. Ever since, this little place has been drawing in the crowds and is today synonymous to the city's lifestyle. 

As it was pouring cats and dogs the day I went, we ate inside. We ordered the bacon and cheese burg with extra bacon on the side and mushroom risotto. While the quantities were small, the buns were soft, the bacon crispy and the risotto fluffy. The extra bacon was hardly "extra" and was a waste of the Rs. 70. Finally we picked up a dozen of cookies and finished off our meal in sweet dessert style. The cookies were soft on the inside and crisp on the outside, melting in our mouths. The food was just about average and overpriced. If you're one to head out solely for the food, this isn't the place for you. 

Yet, I'd go to say that German Bakery is a must visit if you're in Pune. It has a history of its own and it is known for its light and healthy snacks. It's breakfast menu is popular among its patrons. It is a must for every Pune backpackers trail and it is common to see Osho Ashram followers and visitors here. I go here more for the chatty atmosphere than for the food itself. 

Now, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy my meal here. I did, but it still had an eerie feel about it. Or maybe it was just me. I did after all, follow the news of the bombings very closely. 

What's hot - Bacon and cheese burger

What's not - Lamb and jalapeno burger.

Your Foodista