Terrassen Cafe
Terrassen Café is a vegan restaurant that originated in Hyderabad, India, and later relocated near Auroville, in Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu. Established in 2015 by Dhanesh Sharma, it is considered one of the city’s first fully vegan cafés.[1][2]
History
Terrassen Café began as a food truck in Hyderabad in 2015 before transitioning into a café space.[3] An early profile in *The Hindu* in 2016 described it as a no-frills eatery serving a vegan spread.[1]
The café later relocated within Hyderabad, moving to Banjara Hills and then Film Nagar, where it hosted events and expanded its offerings.[4]
In 2024, Terrassen Café announced a relocation to Auroville Road, Kuilapalayam, near Auroville, Puducherry.[5] It is also listed in independent directories such as HappyCow as a vegan café in Kuilapalayam.[6]
Menu and concept
The café serves a fully vegan menu featuring Indian and international dishes such as pizzas, biryanis, dairy-free shakes, and kombucha.[4] During Ramadan, it introduced a vegan version of haleem made with jackfruit, lentils, and almond milk.[7]
The café has also been recognised for its sustainability practices, such as using glass and paper packaging, clay handis instead of plastic containers, and furnishings sourced from demolition sites.[8]
Community and cultural events
Terrassen Café has hosted cultural and community gatherings, including "The Lost Land" in 2023, an event highlighting Sindhi cuisine and heritage.[9] It has also supported LGBTQ+ inclusion, with coverage in *Gaylaxy Magazine* and *Indulge Express* highlighting its role in providing safe and inclusive spaces.[10][11]
Reception
The café has been covered by multiple national and regional publications:
- *The Hindu* profiled its menu and operations in 2016 and 2018.[1][12]
- *Elle India* listed it among India’s notable vegan restaurants.[2]
- *The Times of India* mentioned it among the eateries contributing to Hyderabad being named India’s “Most Vegan-Friendly City” in 2019.[13]
- *Ayuvé* and *Indica* documented its growth from a food truck to a café.[3][4]
- *Telangana Today* highlighted its vegan take on haleem.[7]
- *New Indian Express* covered both its sustainability measures and cultural events.[8][9]
Challenges
In April 2023, the café reported vandalism, including utilities being cut off and access blocked, during a dispute with another tenant. The incident was covered by local media including *Siasat* and *Newsmeter*.[14][15]
Media coverage
- The Hindu profiled the café in 2016 and 2018.[1][12]
- Elle India listed it among vegan restaurants.[2]
- Times of India mentioned it when Hyderabad was named “Most Vegan-Friendly City 2019”.[13]
- New Indian Express covered sustainability and cultural events.[8][9]
- Indulge Express and Gaylaxy highlighted inclusivity and Pride events.[11][10]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (27 February 2016). "Once upon a vegan". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "World Vegan Day: 8 Restaurants & Cafes That Serve Delicious Vegan Food". Elle India. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "From Food Truck to Terrassen Café: A Success Story". Ayuvé. 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "From Food Truck to Café: Terrassen Café Comes a Long Way". Indica. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ "Terrassen Café: A Decade of Vegan Innovation, Now in Auroville Road, Pondicherry". Terrassen Café. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2025.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Vegan restaurants in Kuilapalayam – HappyCow". HappyCow. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Try vegan haleem at Terrassen Café this Ramzan". Telangana Today. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "A bite of nature". The New Indian Express. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Tracing the Sindhi heritage of Hyderabad". The New Indian Express. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Hyderabad hosts India's first-ever Bi Pan Pride Fest". Gaylaxy Magazine. 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Cafes in Hyderabad are working towards ensuring that the Pride community enjoys food, music, privacy". Indulge Express. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Hyderabad's vegan eatery Terrassen Café introduces home-style favourites in its new address". The Hindu. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Hurray! Hyderabad is India's 'Most Vegan-Friendly City 2019'". The Times of India. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ "Hyderabad: Terrassen Cafe vandalised; blames Good Seeds Living". Siasat. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ "No electricity, no water: Hyderabad's vegan café Terrassen vandalised". Newsmeter. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
External links
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