Ostro

«Ostro» at 53B Karl Marx Street is a family café serving Indian and vegetarian cuisine. Raj Singh runs the kitchen, while Galia Singh handles the administrative side. The place is located in a basement, but it's easy to find: there's a tree growing right by the entrance, and inside, the walls are covered with psychedelic paintings based on Indian mythology, created by Kazan graffiti artist Bozik. Already on the stairs, you catch the scent of spices, which sets the tone for the whole visit. The menu features authentic dishes from Raj's homeland. Chicken biryani is rice with vegetables and chicken; chicken masala is chicken in sauce with rice; palak paneer is cubes of cottage cheese in spinach sauce; there's also a soup with chicken and coconut milk. You won't find the meat that's typical for Tatarstan here: beef isn't cooked in India, so the menu focuses on chicken, vegetables, and vegetarian dishes. One thing to keep in mind: the spice level of a dish needs to be requested in advance. If you're trying Asian cuisine for the first time, it's better to start with the mildest option and gradually get used to the taste of real Indian spices. The average bill at the café ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles.