Opened in 1988, the German Bakery in Pune’s posh Koregaon Park neighborhood remains a beloved meet-up spot for tourists and residents alike who drop by for the continental delicacies and convivial conversation, and a welcoming-to-all atmosphere.
A German Bakery in Pune, India?
The first German Bakery was started at Goa’s Anjuna Beach. A German traveler named Woody Klaus noticed that visiting Europeans did not like the bread baked in India, so he started making German bread and other continental delicacies that became a hit among foreign nationals in Goa. Seeing the popularity of the products, a local businessman, Dyanesh Kharose, invited Klaus to set up a German Bakery in Pune in 1988.
The casual café is a mainstay in a neighborhood sprinkled with historic mansions, tree-laden lanes and vintage bungalows from the British era that have been converted into cozy guest hotels and international chains, such as Westin, also have a presence in the viniity. For more than three decades, the German Bakery has been popular among college-going youth and international visitors who come for monthly retreats at the nearby Osho Meditation Resort, popular with visitors to Pune.Â
In February 2010, the bakery was shut down after a terrorist bomb blast claimed 17 lives and shook the community. The bakery was revived in 2013 under the fresh ownership of a Pune-based businessman, Mr. Kunal Udane, and remains an iconic place to meet and eat, and is an integral part of the culinary culture of Koregaon Park.
The German Bakery’s eclectic décor is part of its charm
A Culinary Icon & Good Conversation
The hospitable and relaxed ambiance of the bakery is as big a draw as the outstanding food. Thanks to Pune’s reputation for good weather, outdoor seating, an unusual sight for Indians, is part of the German Bakery appeal, bringing the European culture of alfresco dining to the city. Foreign nationals often feel at home at the German Bakery thanks to the familiar continental dishes, snacks, and bread they remember from their native lands. On any given day guests can order risotto, fish n’ chips, German sausage omelette, Spanish omelette, flakey croissants, tiramisu, chicken stroganoff, as well as German and Italian cookies, breads, pastries, coffee and tea. Order at the counter and baked goods in the display case practically tease you with their buttery good looks.
Indoors, walls and glass are painted with images of The Buddha and rock music icons like Jim Morrison. A caricatured owl is the logo of German Bakery and outdoors, it seems as if the nocturnal bird overlooks patrons day and night as they enjoy fine food and good company. Dishes are all carefully prepared and artistically presented, brought to tables where it’s not uncommon to see Pune residents sharing tables with foreign nationals and having a good chat, adding to the sense of community that has become a hallmark of the German Bakery.
A Sense of Community in Pune
Whether you’ve arrived in Pune for business or have taken the journey from Mumbai for the day, a stop at German Bakery is a must for the smorgasbord of cuisine offered. It’s also the right place to settle before or after a stroll amidst the greenery of the adjacent 12-acre Osho Teerth Park.
Besides the great food, a highlight of this beloved Koregaon Park eatery is the camaraderie and welcoming environment. You’ll often see friends and family sitting down for a chat and patrons that return again and again to relive memories of the good old days when they spent hours discussing college life and blues, the latest trending fashions, meditation techniques, trance music, and philosophy over slices of freshly made blueberry cake or scoops of frozen hot chocolate.
Make sure to take a stroll in serene Osho Teerth ParkÂ
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German Bakery
292, N Main Road, Ragvilas Society
Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra
411001, India
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BeSeeingYou In:Â Pune, India.
Good to Know:Â Â Pune is known as the cultural capital of Maharashtra.
WOW! Factor: Â The variety of continental and local snacks available every day.
Tip: Pune is 160 kilometres from Mumbai and well connected by train and road.Â
Author Bio: Shraddha C Sankulkar
