Thrilling adventure activities, picture-perfect scenic views, vibrant monasteries, and exciting cafés, that’s exactly how a trip to Mcleodganj would be described. A quaint suburb of Dharamshala snuggled in the Himalayas, Mcleodganj is a beautiful place to visit for all kinds of travelers. Popularly referred to as “Little Lhasa” and “India’s Mini-Tibet” because of its large Tibetan population, this town offers unique experiences in everything, be it food or local sightseeing.
Amongst other activities to do in the mountains, one that you simply cannot miss out on is café hopping. After all, your taste buds too, are on vacation and they ought to get the best of it all! Here’s a list of some of the best cafés in Mcleodganj, where the delicacies served up are as unique as the name of the town. Keep reading further and you’ll know what not to miss out on when planning your itinerary!
Illiterati Café
If books are your second love after food, this place is nothing less than a paradise for you. Also known as Illiterati Books & Coffee, this café has everything to make you want to visit it time and again. You can enjoy their scrumptious Italian delicacies while exploring their brilliant collection of books from all over the world.
Even if you aren’t really a bookworm, enjoying the stunning mountain views while sipping on some delicious hot chocolate will make your visit to this café totally worthwhile. It offers the perfect combination of good food, lively vibes, and an appealing ambiance (both indoors and out!) Isn’t that all you want?
Café Specialties: Chicken Schnitzel, Pepperoni Pizza, Ravioli, Mint Lemonade
Price For Two: INR 400 – INR 800 (Approx)
Location: Jogiwara Road, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Timings: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on all days.
Shiva Café
Before you already start painting a picture of the café in your head just by looking at the name, let’s tell you what this café is actually all about. It’s among the most famous and best cafés in Mcleodganj that’s frequented by foreign travelers from all over. With chill vibes and breathtaking views, this place holds a hippie atmosphere. (We know where your mind could be drifting now, but this place has much more to offer!)
The ambiance of the café is serene and welcoming and their menu has many good dishes to choose from. You can also enjoy the musical vibes of the café while munching on their delicious momos or a hot bowl of their famous Maggi.
Café Specialties: Farmhouse Pizza, Maggi, Ginger Honey Lemon, Hot Coffee, Pancakes
Price For Two: INR 400 – INR 600 (Approx)
Location: Near Bhagsunag Waterfall, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Timings: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on all days.
Nick’s Italian Kitchen
If you have a sweet tooth and cannot resist gorging on some lip-smacking desserts, a visit to Nick’s Italian Kitchen is a must when in Mcleodganj. From carrot cakes and muffins to waffles and banoffee pies, your stomach will be full but your heart won’t – such are their delicious desserts. This, of course, is their speciality, but Nick’s Italian Kitchen also serves some impressive pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and salads to balance your savory cravings. No wonder it’s one of the best cafés in Mcleodganj!
Adding to it are the perks of free Wi-Fi and the stunning views of the Dhauladhar range from its outdoor seating space. The café is the most lively in the evenings, so make sure to reach early or reserve a spot if you’re visiting it during peak times.
Café Specialties: Banoffee Pie, Chocolate Mousse Cake, Spinach Momos, Pancakes
Price For Two: INR 350 – INR 550 (Approx)
Location: Bhagsunag Road, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Timings: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM on all days.
Moonlight Café
Looking for a soothing place to just chill and unwind? Head over to the Moonlight Café in Dharamkot. It has a wonderful ambience and a fair variety of dishes to enjoy with the splendid view. Sipping on a hot cup of coffee or the famous ginger lemon honey tea is what even the locals would recommend to try out at the Moonlight Café. It has a warm and welcoming vibe which is just perfect when you need a break from the bustling city life. Pair a cup of their ginger tea with their famous Bhagsu cake and that’s sure to leave you asking for more.
Café Specialties: Bhagsu Cake, Ginger Lemon Honey Tea, Nutella Pancake
Price For Two: INR 400 – INR 600 (Approx)
Location: Dharamkot, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Timings: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM on all days.
Carpe Diem Café
Indian, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Continental – you name it and this café has it all. The tantalizing aroma of the wood-fired pizzas is enough to make you drool even before the dish is at your table! Whether you’re a morning person who enjoys a hearty breakfast or a night owl for whom dinner has to be on point, this café can satisfy all your hunger pangs.
The rustic setting of the café offers a welcoming vibe to everyone who wishes to enjoy a meal by themselves. The convenient location, artsy ambience, and scenic landscape of this café are also perfect to spice up your social media game with a story or post! All these things combined with the lip-smacking food easily make this place one of the best cafés in Mcleodganj.
Café Specialties: Wood Oven Pizza, Spaghetti Pasta, Cheese Omelette
Price For Two: INR 500 – INR 700 (Approx)
Location: Jogiwara Road, Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Timings: 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM on all days.
Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen
The name of this café stands up to the expectations and doesn’t disappoint Italian food lovers. From pastas and pizzas to lasagna and cheesecakes, you can go crazy with the variety of options offered at this café. The ambiance is pretty with walls painted and decorated with framed pictures that take you on a little tour to Italy.
What’s even better is that Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen leaves you with a wholesome experience without burning a hole in your pockets. Just make sure to save some space in your stomach for their amazing desserts. Their chocolate mousse and lemon cheesecake are to die for and no food lover would ever want to miss out on them!
Café Specialties: Grilled Sicilian Chicken, Pepperoni Pizza, Chocolate Mousse, Cheesecake
Price For Two: INR 500 – INR 700 (Approx)
Location: Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Timings: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on all days.
Namgyal Café
Located near Dalai Lama’s Temple complex, Namgyal Café will be loved by all pizza lovers. The authentic wood-fired pizzas found at this café are truly one-of-its-kind and are worth having at least once when in Mcleodganj. Not just pizzas, but the café also offers a good range of sandwiches and pastas to keep all foodies hooked.
This café has a fun and colorful ambiance that’s soothing to your souls. If you want to keep yourself occupied while munching on their delicious dishes, you can also grab a book from their vast collection of fictional and spiritual books. Visiting the café in the evening is a beautiful experience as enjoying the sunset while sipping on your ginger tea is sure to transport you to another world.
Café Specialties: Roquefort Pizza, Chilli Tofu, Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
Price For Two: INR 350 – INR 500 (Approx)
Location: Temple Road, Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Timings: 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM on all days.
Lobsang’s Four Seasons Café
If there’s one meal you cannot miss munching on in the mountains, it has to be the momos. And if there’s one place in Mcleodganj that serves mouth-watering momos, it’s the Lobsang’s Four Seasons Café. Don’t just go by the appearance of this quaint little café, because it’s almost always full of localites and tourists who can’t resist the delicious Italian and Tibetan dishes. When you do finally manage to grab a table at this café, the sumptuous meals will make it all worth the wait! A visit to this café will also give you a peek into Tibetan history and culture.
Café Specialties: Chicken Chow Mein, Veg Kothe, Soutsemen, Momos, Mix Thukpa
Price For Two: INR 400 – INR 600 (Approx)
Location: Jogiwara Road, Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh 176219
Timings: 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM on all days.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a foodie or not, you’ll definitely agree with the fact that no trip will ever be complete without experiencing the authentic culinary dishes of a place. Checking out these best cafés in Mcleodganj certainly needs to be on your bucket list. Especially when you’re planning a trip in the mountains, treating your tastebuds to the local specialties is an experience not worth leaving behind.
If you’re looking for a fellow foodie or some company to enhance your travel experience, make sure to hop onto our goSTOPS Mcleodganj hostel. Like-minded travelers, adventure stories, and loads of entertainment options at the hostel are sure to leave you with a wholesome experience!
FAQs
What Is Mcleodganj Famous For?
Known to be the home of the 14th Dalai Lama, Mcleodganj is famous for its beautiful monasteries, trekking trails, mesmerizing scenery, and not to forget – a number of quaint little cafés. From sightseeing and adventure activities to spiritual places and cultural institutions, there’s a lot to explore and enjoy in Mcleodganj. Café hopping and shopping for unique items are also things that Mcleodganj is famous for.
What Should I Buy From Mcleodganj?
Like other activities, shopping in Mcleodganj also has its own charm. The Mcleodganj Central Square, Kotwali Bazaar, and Jogiwara Road are some of the most popular shopping joints in the district. You can buy the classic Himalayan handicrafts, wooden carvings, and Thangka tapestry paintings from the Mcleodganj Central Square area and go for souvenir shopping to the Jogiwara Road. Mcleodganj is also famous for its Tibetan carpets, rugs, and exotic sculptures that you can shop for in the street shops of Kotwali Bazaar.
How Do I Get To Shiva Café Mcleodganj?
Shiva Café is located near the Bhagsu Falls in Mcleodganj. You can take a taxi or a bus to reach the Mcleodganj market point and from there on, you’ll have to trek your way up to the Bhagsu falls and the Shiva Café.
How Far Is Dharamkot From Mcleodganj?
The bohemian town of Dharamkot is just about 2 km away from Mcleodganj. You can hike your way up there amidst the beautiful scenery or even hire a taxi to go uphill.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Mcleodganj?
Mcleodganj is one of those scenic destinations that can be visited all year round. The summer months from March to June are the best time to visit Mcleodganj if you’ve planned an itinerary full of sightseeing and trekking trips. For a romantic getaway amidst the scenic snowfall, the months from November to February are a good time to visit Mcleodganj.
How Many Days Are Enough For Mcleodganj?
Mcleodganj is a small town near Dharamshala that can be explored well enough in a 2-3 days trip. You can also extend your stay if you wish to spend more time enjoying the weather and nature over there.
