Another rainy day in Berlin. We decided to warm our souls by visiting a place I always wanted to go - the Tajik tea room. Set in a palatial building close to Unter den Linden, this tea room was a gift to the East German government by the Soviets in the 1970s; it is decorated with original Russian art work; the wooden ceiling is beautifully carved and oriental cushions and carpets are spread over the floor.
We took of our shoes and got comfortable on the soft cushions at one of the low tables; the menu offers over 30 teas and Russian fare like borscht and blini. While the winds were howling outside, we indulged in a Russian tea ceremony (7,50 euros per person); the ceremony kicked off with a shot of ice cold vodka; after that cookies, raisins soaked in rum, different kinds of sugar, and candied lemon peel were served. The centerpiece of the ceremony was the Russian samovar with hot water, which had a small pot with strong black tea on its top. We sweetened our tea with raspberry jam and ate fruit confections, which melted away with each sip of the hot beverage.
It's the perfect way to spend a dreary afternoon, and I can't wait to come back in winter, when Russian fairy tales will be read every Monday at 6 p.m.
If You Go:
- Tadschikische Teestube, Am Festungsgraben 1 (1st floor), 10117 Berlin
- Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 5 p.m. - midnight; weekends noon - midnight
(Photo Birge Amondson, licensed to about.com)
Thanks for this tip — the Tea Room sounds fascinating, and memorably unique! it’s great that this has been preserved. I hope to visit it on my next trip to Berlin!