Offering an extensive menu of traditional Indian cuisine, this vegetarian restaurant brings in a diverse crowd, from longtime locals to first-time visitors looking for a break from traditional dining options.
The Cosmic Café was originally opened by Praven Sachdev in 1995, who handcrafted most of the menu. Before that, it was just a two-story structure, wrapped with a wooden porch, belonging to Sachdev’s friend Kumar Pallana. Sachdev would often visit for tea, and one day, Paleena told Sachdev he wanted to move to Hollywood to pursue acting. He suggested Sachdev take over the little house and cafe in Oak Lawn.
In its early days, Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson frequented Cosmic Cafe in Oak Lawn and even casted Pallana in three of their movies: “Bottle Rocket,” “Rushmore” and “The Royal Tenenbaums” before he died at the age of 94 in 2013.
In 2021, locals were heartbroken when Sachdev closed down the Cafe to retire in Colombia.
After nearly five years of being closed, The Cosmic Cafe is back with nearly the same menu, and is now run by new owners, Deepak Chalise and his wife, Sunita Chalise.
Sheri Van Court, a longtime frequenter of the cafe and professor of communications at Dallas College, said that she wants to go back because she used to go all the time. Van Court has been going to the Cosmic Cafe since it opened, and plans on returning for the Buddha’s Delight, one of her favorite dishes.
Excitement erupted on Reddit, where users connected over their shared excitement about Cosmic Cafe’s soft opening, with many people saying it was their first date spot. One Redditor under the username SharkShepperd said that their wife and them had gone nearly 20 years ago, ending with, “We’d also love to take the kids there one day soon if their reopening is true.”
Both the restaurant’s interior and exterior are far from ordinary. As you drive up to the cafe, you are met with hand-painted murals illustrating indian culture. Filled with every color you can imagine, the interior has more than the eye can see. The soft lighting creates a calm, almost meditative space. Currently, the upstairs is reserved for occasional mediations and private events.
The menu features a wide variety of Indian inspired dishes, and is famously known for its Buddha Delight Dish, which includes Curried vegetables of the day, one samosa and a cup of dahl, which is dried, split lentils, peas and beans, served with rice, pappadam and naan. Naan is your spoon and is characterized by a light and fluffy texture and golden-brown spots from the baking process. Another popular dish is the I Hate Eggplant, which consists of spicy eggplant, bell peppers and onions sauteed with garlic, fresh basil and mozzarella cheese folded in naan.
The portion sizes are generous, making it a practical option for students looking to get full without overspending. To quench your sweet tooth, the cafe also offers an expansive dessert menu. The rice pudding has a smooth, creamy taste that soothes the stomach like a warm blanket on a cold day. Rice pudding(Kheer is a traditional dish and is believed to have been first created at the Lord Jagannath Temple in Odisha, India approximately 2,000 years ago.
The service is typically quick and efficient, while still giving you enough time to soak up the atmosphere and explore. Staff members maintain a relaxed, but attentive approach, matching the restaurant’s overall vibe. As more people become aware of the soft opening, expect to see bigger crowds, especially at peak times on weekends.
While the restaurant’s unique décor and menu may not appeal to everyone, its commitment to flavorful, plant-based food and a welcoming atmosphere makes it a standout dining option. For Cosmic Cafe, it’s more than sharing food; it’s sharing their culture and spreading love throughout Dallas. Namaste.
