Ursprung

Creative Vegan Dining at Ursprung: A Calm Escape Below Dussmann KulturKaufhaus

December 2023 Update: A vegan business lunch for €15—starter, main course, 0.35L water, and a specialty coffee included—is a solid deal, especially if you add a glass of wine or beer to round it out. Available Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 2:30 PM at Ursprung, the stylish vegan restaurant tucked into the basement of Dussmann on Friedrichstraße 90.

I enjoyed the meal: a creamy pumpkin soup (which could’ve used a bit more spice) and a baked apple with salad featuring crisp chicory—nicely done. I always appreciate vegan dishes that don’t try to imitate meat-based classics. Just a heads-up: the service has never been particularly fast in my experience, so plan accordingly. Full details are on the restaurant’s website.

May 2023 Note: Vegan food in the Dussmann basement? Ursprung delivers both original plant-based creations and vegan takes on familiar dishes. I tried the Niçoise salad with vegan egg and tuna alternatives—both impressively close to the original yet still distinctive and flavorful. The salad was fresh and crisp, with nicely done beans. The only letdown was the rather subtle dressing. At €9, the portion was decent, but not entirely filling. The €15 lunch menu adds much more value with a complete meal.

There’s also a small fridge on the counter stocked with kombucha cans—though that doesn’t exactly scream „sustainable.“ The interior is tastefully designed and feels upscale. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 7 PM.