VEG’D

Starting as a ‘pop-up’ in a tiny sub-rented kitchen in Berlin Neukölln in May 2019, gourmet plant-based restaurant VEG’D quickly became a go-to vegan hangout spot and food blogger’s dream.

It became so popular that founder, professional DJ Andre Com, took one of the biggest “risks of his life” by opening VEG'D’s own restaurant in Friedrichshain in September 2019.

VEGCRAVER chats with Andre about finding another purpose outside of music, the vegan scene in Berlin, and how opening a restaurant pushed him to his limits.

How long have you been vegan and what inspired you to make the transition?

I went vegan on January 1, 2019 after having been vegetarian for most of 2018. I’d had a somewhat bad conscience about eating meat, but kind of closed my eyes to it before.

On a trip to India I became good friends with a vegan and got inspired to go vegetarian for a week - from there on I rarely ate meat again.

What inspired you to launch VEG'D?

I was looking to start a new business next to my DJ career. As I’m very passionate about food and restaurants. By opening my own place I could combine my passion with a business and do my small part in making our world a kinder and greener place.

What at times felt like unbearable stress, turned into excitement, a feeling of purpose, and the potential to create something amazing.

What's been your biggest challenge running a fully vegan business?

The ingredients we use are still quite rare, and therefore expensive. Plus, in Germany we have relatively high expenses for staff, while customers are also price-sensitive. So it’s a challenge to make ends meet while also giving our guests good value for money.

Where do you get your menu inspiration from?

It’s a mix of food we’d love to eat ourselves and checking out what other restaurants are doing, especially those more established. Plus we speak with our customers a lot, give them samples of new dishes we’d like to introduce, and do Instagram surveys.

What are your thoughts on the current vegan landscape in Berlin & Germany in general?

I think it’s an exciting development! We can really see more and more people getting interested in plant-based alternatives. There are both completely new vegan places opening, as well as non-vegan places adding vegan options to their menu.

What are your future plans for VEG’D?

We’re in talks to a potential partner to eventually open more VEG’D restaurants which would likely happen in 2021.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Very difficult question as I love them all! But I’ll say the „Beyond Deluxe". It’s so juicy, flavorful and rich; it’s really one of the best burgers I have ever eaten, regardless if they were vegan or not. 🤤

For burger spam that will have you drooling while thinking “is that really vegan?!”, browse VEG’D menu of gourmet soul food on VEGCRAVER.