It was a January cold snap in Berlin when I discovered The Butterfly Lovers, a highly recommended vegan restaurant in Mitte. Having lived in London for years, I’ve been spoiled for choice for vegan Chinese options – think Tofu Vegan – so my standards were high.
The temperatures were below zero, and every step through the icy snow-filled streets felt precarious. The trudge was worth it. From outside, the large windows glowed warmly, giving a glimpse of the calm, wooden interior. Inside, the space is cosy and modern, the soft light making the wooden tables and subtle décor feel immediately inviting. The restaurant opened in 2021, making it a well-established spot in the thriving Mitte plant-based scene.
The Butterfly Lovers is a highly-regarded vegan Chinese restaurant in Berlin, known for its creative plant-based takes on traditional dishes like Sichuan chicken and sweet & sour duck. The menu promises bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and beautiful presentation.
I arrived early, and a few diners were already scattered around. When offered a choice of seat, I went for the invisible solo diner option and picked a stool at a table for two. A kindly waiter came over almost immediately and suggested I might prefer a table for four with one of the more comfortable chairs. Hell yes!
For my starter, I had the wontons in sweet chilli soy sauce, filled with what tasted like minced smoked tofu, and they were beautiful. I was worried it wouldn’t be enough, but it was perfect, particularly in the context of the next dish. My main was the Szechuan tofu pot, which genuinely surprised me with its inventiveness. It was spicy without ever being overwhelming, with a mix of different tofus – including tofu knots, my first time seeing them in a restaurant. Some had unravelled into something resembling noodles, and it took me a moment to work out what I was eating, but the slightly chewy texture was unmistakable. The portion was enormous, so as voracious as my appetite normally is, even I was defeated.
The gentle jazz, service, and cosy setting made for a relaxed eating experience. I’d recommend booking ahead, as it gets very busy, but arriving at a quieter time, as I did, lets you savour the food at your own pace.
I lingered over a cappuccino before leaving, a rare pause in Berlin’s usual fast-food pace. Stepping back into the winter slush, I was already plotting a return visit in a season when the outdoor terrace might be an equally appealing option.
Bardo Burner 