Blink and you’ll miss it – and what a shame that would be. This little pocket of London, sandwiched between the rows of shops lining Neubaugasse is one the few worthwhile products that resulted from the 90 years of English colonisation in India – a curry and sandwich bar.
No advertising is necessary for this place (actually, we don’t know why we’re even writing about it) as its commitment to simple but flavoursome curries and supremely composed sandwiches speaks for itself. Elefant & Castle’s owner Silvia agrees, “I never advertise, it’s just not my style.”
This lunch spot is always highly frequented by a range of clientele from office slaves, students to shoppers straying from Mahü and in winter you’ll struggle to find a spot inside (We would suggest that that’s a good sign of a quality). But takeaway is possible and during summer they have a delightful garden out front.
The curries change weekly, are made fresh daily and are each named after a film. I have the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ – a coconut milk based curry comprised of chicken and dates simmered in the homemade curry paste made on site. Phil opts for the vegetarian ‘Green Card’ made up of mint, coriander, sweet potatoes, zucchini and fennel. While the curries are mildly spiced catering for our pussy western palates, if you like it spicy, you can add to your hearts content the chili available at the counter.
Silvia tells us that they have whipped up over 100 different curries in the last year. In this world in which we are overwhelmed with choices, we both enjoy the limited choice on the menu.
While desert seems extravagant for lunch, we’d suggest you live extravagantly – Silvia hands us a beautifully spiced Indian butter toffee, Laddu, which she had been making upon our arrival. Who would have thought its simple ingredients of flour and sugar could taste so good!
We’re sure that you, as were we, are dying to know how the British concept of the curry and sandwich lunch bar was imported into this sweet narrow pocket of Vienna. Silvia explains:
“Elefant & Castle started in 2007, when a young English student called Elli opened it up between going to uni and doing homework. I joined the team in 2009, but was cooking at a Persian place at the same time. The audience here at the deli grew bigger and bigger over time, until Elli asked me if I wanted to take over. To me, it felt like the shop chose me, much rather than I had chosen the shop – so I agreed.”
While our conversation has halted due to the Panna cotta with poppyseed and raspberry desert Silvia has put in front of us, before we know it, she’s already back in the kitchen, chatting to two new customers. Phil and I smile at each other in the common understanding – these people are about to be made just as happy as we are. This place is the perfect break to any day.
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