Restaurants in Western Himachal Pradesh
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McLlo Restaurant
Crowded nightly and justifiably popular, this big place above the noisy bus stand area serves a mind-boggling menu of Indian, Chinese and international fare, including pizzas and pasta. It’s also one of the best places to enjoy an icy cold beer (Rs100), and it has cider and wines.
reviewed
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Oogo’s Cafe Italiano
This cute hole-in-the-wall place serves up mainly Italian fare, but with a few surprises – waffles, baked potatoes, intriguing pasta dishes like ‘chicken vodka’ and even grilled lamb chops. The atmosphere is warm and busy and there are tempting desserts, as well as a bookshelf full of reading material.
reviewed
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Lung Ta
The set menu changes daily at this popular, nonprofit, vegetarian Japanese restaurant. Food and ambience are authentic and many Japanese travellers come here for a taste of home.
reviewed
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Moonpeak Espresso
A little bit of Seattle, transported to India. Come for excellent coffee, cakes, imaginative sandwiches and dishes like poached chicken with mango, lime and coriander sauce.
reviewed
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Namgyal Cafe
Located at Namgyal Gompa (part of the Tsuglagkhang Complex), and this cafe serves cakes and vegetarian food. It also provides vocational training for refugees.
reviewed
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Chocolate Log
One of McLeod’s original cake shops and still setting a high standard for sweets, coffee and freshly baked cakes.
reviewed
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Taste of India
This tiny place has just five tables and is often full with diners savouring North Indian veg and nonveg curries and tandoori chicken.
reviewed
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Cafe Ravi View
In a circular hut overlooking the Ravi River, this Himachal Pradesh Tourist Development Corporation-run snack house is worth a visit as much for the icy-cold beers and outdoor terrace as for the food. Still, it serves a good range of Indian and Chinese veg food – including dosas and bargain veg thalis (Rs40).
reviewed
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Jagan Restaurant
It’s nothing flash but Jagan offers the tasty Chamba speciality chamba madhra (kidney beans with curd and ghee) for Rs65, plus a good selection of veg curries and chicken dishes. The top-floor Madhusala Bar is a no-frills place to have a beer and gaze over the town through glassless windows.
reviewed
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Andey’s Midtown Restaurant
Dharamsala’s best restaurant is a busy family place serving a big range of Indian, Chinese and continental veg and nonveg fare. Come for kebabs, rich curries, burgers and a fine veg or nonveg thali. The bar at the back has horse saddles for seats, so you know they take their drinking seriously.
reviewed
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Park View Restaurant
With its low ceiling and rickety furniture, tiny 1st-floor Park View is like eating in someone’s attic. The veg and nonveg food is highly rated – order some jheera (cumin) rice and curd and a copper pail of dhal on the side, or chicken cooked seven ways (including lemon chicken).
reviewed
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Cafe Boom Boom
Although a bit of a hike below McLeod, this remarkable cafe is well worth a visit. Beautifully designed, it boasts a mosaic tile floor, elaborate carved furniture, huge balcony with views and a mellow, slightly eccentric atmosphere. Gourmet pizza, focaccia and delicious cakes and coffee.
reviewed
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Chaurasi Hotel & Restaurant
The derelict-looking timber-and-brick place teetering on the temple road is actually a good-value hotel with generous-sized rooms offering soaring views over the valley, especially from the top-floor room with balcony. The multicuisine restaurant here is Bharmour’s best.
reviewed
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Kwality Restaurant
Regarded as Dalhousie’s best independent restaurant, Kwality shows some style in its decor, with solid wooden furniture and comfy cream chairs. The extensive veg and nonveg menu covers Indian and Chinese as well as burgers, pizza and sizzlers.
reviewed
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Nick’s Italian Kitchen
At Kunga Guesthouse, Nick’s has been serving up tasty vegetarian pizzas, pasta and gnocchi for years. Follow up with heavenly desserts like chocolate brownies with hot chocolate sauce. Eat inside by candlelight or out on the terrace.
reviewed
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Khana Nirvana
Above Stitches of Tibet, this community cafe is a relaxed hang-out serving healthy vegetarian breakfasts, soups and salad, pita sandwiches, burritos and organic tea. There’s local entertainment most nights.
reviewed
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Napoli
Situated a short walk down from Gandhi Chowk, Napoli has no Italian food but there are well-prepared Indian and Chinese favourites here, as well as offbeat dishes such as ‘chicken Mexican’.
reviewed
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Peace Cafe
This cosy little cafe is always full of monks chatting and dining, and tasty Tibetan momos, chow chow (stir-fried noodles with vegetables or meat) and thukpa.
reviewed
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Pema Thang Pizzeria
Inside the Pema Thang Guest House, this vegetarian Italian place does good pizzas cooked in a real wood-fired oven. Drop by to book a table in advance for the evening.
reviewed
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Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen
Jimmy’s is a well-established Italian place with a new location upstairs opposite the chorten. Authentic pizzas with real pepperoni, and a good range of pasta dishes.
reviewed
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Ashoka Restaurant
This stylish timber-lined restaurant serves reliable Indian veg and nonveg dishes such as mutton korma and chicken masala. Upstairs is a rather cramped roof terrace.
reviewed
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Cafe Dalhousie
This little cafe beneath Hotel Dalhousie has a blackboard menu with everything from cheap dosas and other South Indian snacks, to Indian and Chinese dishes.
reviewed
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Tsongkha
A simple but popular Tibetan restaurant with a great rooftop terrace looking out over the chorten and valley, plus an indoor dining room for chilly days.
reviewed
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French Café
For crepes and coffee made the French way, try this small café near Taste of India. The owner does magic shows some evenings.
reviewed
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Ashoka International Restaurant
Bhagsu’s best Indian and Chinese food is served in a smart dining room with a choice of floor cushions or normal tables.
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