Must try Cafes & Restaurants in Mcleodganj and Dharamkot

Cafes and Restaurants in Mcleodganj and Dharamkot strike a different vibe with delicious food, and even amazing views. So much so that I could do here only to sip coffee, have thukpa and eat momos!

Hilltowns in India are a paradise in their own sense for many things – panoramic views, adventure activities, snow, and many more.

While the food in these hill towns is catered to the tourists it ends up being almost the same served in the city – Dosa, Pav Bhaji, Punjabi sabji, etc. Thankfully Mcleodganj does it differently with baked goodies and Tibetian food items.

Places to visit in Mcleodganj also include exploring restaurants in Mcleodganj.

Restaurants in Mcleodganj and Dharamkot

Since Mcleodganj and Dharamkot attract a lot of international tourists for yoga and spiritual retreats the palate has a lot of influence on continental dishes. Being a spiritual town, there are many cafes and restaurants offering vegan menus in addition to vegetarian options. The chilled-out hippie vibes combined with food options are such that Mcleodganj and Dharamkot could easily be on a food tourism map! Since I am a vegetarian myself, all of the dishes I tried were vegetarian. 

Moonlight Cafe, Dharamkot

As I was staying in Dharamkot and having heard so much about Moonlight cafe, I wanted to try their food. Unfortunately, it so happened that I could only try their Bhagsu cake during my return to Dharamkot. Bhagsu cake is a crunchy pie crust, layered with sticky caramel toffee sauce and topped with dark chocolate or white chocolate. I had this cake in Moonlight Cafe in Dharamkot and it was yummy.

It offers one of the best breakfast in Mcleodganj and it opens as early as 7 am!

Lung Ta

This was a lucky find on one of the many walks around Mcleodganj town. The cafe tucked in the side lanes is a hidden treasure. It is a vegetarian Japanese restaurant that serves super unique food. Japanese vegetarian food was a surprise for me but I was blown away by the varieties they offered and how perfect each dish was. Lung Ta is one of the best veg restaurants in Mcleodganj.

The cafe is run by a Japanese lady who has a fixed menu for each weekday. They serve Sushi and Savour Omurice every Tuesday & Friday. 

The prices are super cheap and a hearty meal for four of us friends cost us less than INR 800!

Tip: They take dinner orders till 8:30 pm

Woeser Bakery, Mcleodganj

If you are craving a warm cake on those chilly days in Mcleodganj, Woeser bakery is the answer for you. They specialize in carrot cakes and a perfectly-brewed cappuccino which is soul food for winters. Though a humble bakery in the basement of a restaurant, everyone swears by it for delicious desserts.

Another highlight of this bakery is chocolate desserts and chocolate-dipped cherry cappuccino. According to me, it is the best bakery in Mcleodganj, especially for carrot cakes.

Illiterati Books & Coffee

Books, coffee, and mountains – are the three things which make a place awesome. At Illiterati, this holds true. Panoramic views of the Dhauladhars while sipping that hot coffee and reading a book from their in-house library is what vacation dreams are made of. The Italian cuisine is particularly amazing.

A place run of Belgian origin person, the cafe is extremely cosy with lovely decor and serves good food and coffee. Sometimes they have live band performances where the local bands play over the weekends and sometimes they even host a reading session. Check out their Instagram page for updates on upcoming events and performances.

Tibet Kitchen, Mcleodganj

I just have to visit a restaurant named Tibet Kitchen if it is located in a hill town. Why? Because they generally offer the most authentic Tibetian cuisine. The Tibet Kitchen is one of the must visit restaurants in McLeodganj and Dharamkot. With three floors and a lounge, this place is almost always full. From succulent momos to the perfectly made thukpa, this place is a mecca of good food. 

Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen, Mcleodganj

Make some time to visit a cage that serves perfect Italian food in the middle of Mcleodganj. Known for its rightly done pizzas and delicious pasta, Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen has lived up to the fame over the many years since it opened. Fans keep coming back to taste the little Italian heaven and it always lives up to its promise. Jimmy’s is the must-visit restaurant in Mcleodganj and Dharamkot. 

But don’t think that with fame it becomes pricey but it is very affordable. With rustic furniture, quotes, quirky signs, and posters of Hollywood films, the cafe decor is very inviting. The food is delicious, authentic, and prepared fresh. No wonder it is one of the best cafes in Mcleodganj for many years now. 

Recommended: Pasta, baked potatoes, and cheesecake.

Carpe Diem

Sitting on the rooftop of this cafe with friends on a winter day while sipping hot lemon ginger tea is a great feeling. Their extensive menu offers everything from Indian, Italian, Chinese to Mexican and Thai. The ambiance and the food make it an experience to remember. Their tacos and Nutella crepes are a must-try.

Moonpeak Espresso

Walk into this place for a cup of freshly brewed coffee when you are tired from all the walking you will do for shopping. Good tasting coffee, free Wi-Fi, and a relaxing ambience. Small place yet cosy. Their banana cake and cappuccino both tasted good.

Khaana Nirvana

Khaana Nirvana is a safe haven for vegans. It serves the freshest, organic, and vegan food which is delicious and makes the visitor’s favorite. The place has a calm vibe where you can enjoy your vegan meal in peace. Their steaming apple cider can really warm you up from the inside.

Namgyal Cafe, Mcleodganj

A local told us about the most authentic wood-fired pizza place and took us to Namgyal Cafe. The locals say that Namgyal serves the best pizza in Mcleodganj. It is really hard to find on your own but the wood-fired aroma actually lead us there and of course the local friends. We ordered their special pizza (spinach and garlic) and 2 others along with margarita pizza. It took 45 minutes to arrive but the quantity and taste was oh-so-yummy! And they were economical too. You’ll forget pizza huts and dominoes after going here. They were authentic, crisp, and tasty. Must try!

The cafe has outdoor and indoor sitting. Since we went for dinner and it was super chilly we decided to stay indoors. But if you are visiting during the day, the cafe offers lovely views of the hills

Their wood-fire thin crust Pizzas are huge in size and are loaded with generous portions of veggies and herbs. They also serve sandwiches, waffles, pancakes, pasta and bakery products.

Shiva Cafe, Bhagsu Falls

Shiva Cafe at the top of Bhagsu waterfall is extremely popular and you just cannot go to Bhagsu and not visit Shiva Cafe and post Instagram stories about it. But be patient to get a seat here, especially in the afternoons and weekends. Most people visit this place for the serenity it has to offer. Shiva Cafe offers the typical Himachal Pradesh backpacker food – Maggi and momos! 

Momos in Mcleodganj

While many restaurants in Mcleodganj and Dharamkot offer good momos it is difficult to decide which offers the best momos in Mcleodganj. Momos are Tibetan dumplings that are usually stuffed with pork, chicken, or veggies. They are served with red chilli chutney. I tried momos in Trek N Dine in Dharamkot and a couple of street vendors (vegetarian versions) and all were great. For momos, the entire town is an experiment and you can find the best ones right outside your hotel!

Sustainable tips for restaurants in Mcleodganj and Dharamkot

• Avoid using disposable cutlery which is served by the restaurants – plastic straws, plastic forks, and spoons. Carry a reusable spoon if possible.

Have you tried any of these restaurants in Mcleodganj & Dharamkot? Which one is your favourite? Tell me in the comments below.

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