India's favourite mountainous destination is undoubtedly Himachal. The resplendent beauty and the alluring charm of this state has everyone coming back for more. What makes it so chill-worthy? It has to be the uber-cool cafes that Himachal bears. Want to know the list of cafes with great food and good spaces?
Check out this list to find out the best cafes to hang in Himachal!
1. Illiterati, Dharamshala
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Books with a view? Illiterati is a cafe like no other. Flanked by popular photographers, backpackers, and avid readers, people just love to revel with a book or a camera overlooking a spellbinding mountainscape. Plush interiors, an intellectual crowd, the food at its best and a view, unlike the rest. What more would you want in Dharamshala?
Address: Anubhav Apartments, Jogiwara Road, Jogiara Village, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala Cost for Two: INR 800 for two people (approx.) Recommended Dishes & Drinks: Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Pasta, Lemonade, Burgers, Chicken Schnitzel, Tea
2. The Lazy Dog, Manali
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International cuisines, beautiful interiors, an old-world charm, and a riverside seating, there's nothing that you can't like about this cafe. The suspended lamps and the bamboo furnishings set a very lazy but cosy mood at dusk. The cafe is literally nestled amidst the gigantic mountains and the running river makes for a unique view from the cafe. Food is just indescribable. The hammocks, bean bags and wooden chairs at the small terrace at the back add to the laid back vibe of the cafe making it completely chill-worthy!
Address: Manu Temple Rd, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh Cost for Two: INR 800 for two people (approx.) Recommended Dishes & Drinks: Cocktails, White Sauce Pasta, Chicken Salad, Prawn Sushi, Pad Thai Noodle, Mixed Sauce Pasta, Fish
3. Wake & Bake, Shimla
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Cafe Wake & Bake is a place with breathtaking views and satiating food choices. The awe-inspiring walls filled with 3D art is the perfect add-on to the cozy space housed in Wake and Bake. The vibrant yellow windows have a charm of their own and the Townhall view overlooking the cafe is just what you need along with your dose of a piping hot beverage. Read a book, gorge on your meals and chill away at this amazing little space!
Address: The Mall, 34/1, Mall Rd, Middle Bazar, The Mall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh Cost for Two: INR 800 for two people (approx.) Recommended Dishes & Drinks: Coffee, Waffles, Pizza, Apple Pie, White Sauce Pasta, Carrot Cake, Salad
4. Stone Garden Cafe, Kasol
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Stone Garden Cafe is a cafe specializing in Israeli food and great music. Extremely popular amidst foreigners and experimental locals, the visitors keep coming back for more. The Live music, peppy ambience and offbeat food attract a great footfall of Kasol making it a pretty popular hangout spot. We can say it's one of the most popular chill spots of the mountainscapes. The quirky paintings embellishing the walls will have you gawking at them all the time. Jam and drink away at this super cool cafe!
Address: Manikaran Rd, Kasol Cost for Two: INR 600 Recommended Dishes & Drinks: Shakshuka with Pitta, Indian cuisine, coffee, tea.
5. Sunshine Cafe, Manali
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A not so exotic cafe with its look, Sunshine cafe goes over the top with nothing but it's food options. If you have a sweet tooth, this is just the right place for you. Its burgers are heavenly and the dessert options will leave you with a sugar rush. The cafe is pretty simple with basic furniture for seating and a bluish-green theme, but its food rivals some of the best cafes in Manali. A hidden gem in old Manali, you can't afford to miss out hanging in this cosy-breezy cafe!
Address: Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh Cost for Two: INR 650 for two people (approx.) Recommended Dishes & Drinks: Hot Chocolate, Milky Bar Parathas, Burgers
6. Freedom cafe, Vashisht, Kullu
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Freedom cafe is one with the ethereal views. An outdoor seating overlooking a magnificent mountainscape is exactly what your dining view should look like in Himachal. And what about a piping hot delish meal? Freedom cafe has food that will have you salivating before you dig in. The beverages are just a perfect accompanist to the chilly weather and the dishes are oh-so-scrumptious. From breakfast to a later night dinner, Freedom cafe is all welcome at any time.
Address: Leh Manali Highway, Vashist, Himachal Pradesh Cost for Two: INR 400 for two people (approx.) Recommended Dishes & Drinks: Coffee, Masala Chai, Sandwiches, omelet, fruit salad, burgers.
7. Jim Morrison Cafe, Kasol
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If you like spending hours without being poked, Jim Morrison cafe is the right place to head to. The food at dirt cheap prices, a literal artsy vibe, eclectic but pleasant surroundings and a place to lay down with WiFi, it is the ultimate chill zone of Kasol. with an amalgam of nature, music and amazing food, nothing can go wrong with this one. With an outdoor chair seating and an indoor floor seating, you can pick the right place to sit. It's rustic, reminisces Jim Morrison's music and it also has an amazing view of the little downtown.
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A high-end cafe amidst the picturesque hills of Manali. An alfresco seating, all things wooden and a green carpet all around, the class and poise of this cafe are unparalleled. European cuisine dominates the menu here and visitors don't really get a reason to complain as everything is pitch-perfect. Even though it is nestled in a hotel, it is frequented by outsiders. Good food, great ambience and positive surroundings of The Johnson's cafe make for the best hang-out spot with your friends and family. Oh and if you're looking for something posh, this one's perfect.
Address: Circuit House Road, Siyal, Kullu, Manali Cost for Two: INR 1,500 for two people (approx.) Recommended Dishes & Drinks: Fish, Margherita Pizza, Burgers, Wine, French Fries, Hot Chocolate, Chicken Pepper Steak, trout, apple crumble with custard.
9. Cafe Evergreen, Manali
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Cafe Evergreen is one of the most popular cafes of Kasol which serves mouth-watering Israeli, Chinese, Mexican, Iranian, Indian and multi-cuisine food. Visiting here is like a ritual and one of the top things to do in Kasol. You will also get an incredible view of the mountains from the outdoor seating. The multi-coloured hues of the cafe through the colourful drapes emit a vibrant vibe to the cafe. It is basically the best of two worlds- food with a view. You will be leaving this cafe with a little pang of separation in your heart and a desire to revisit soon.
Address: Manu Temple Rd, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh Cost for Two: INR 600 for two people (approx.) Recommended Dishes & Drinks: Momos, Pizza, French Fries, omelette, burgers, sundae
10. Cafe Shimla Times, Shimla
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Cafe Shimla Times welcomes you into a typical hilly home ambience. You're greeted by an old Fiat as soon as you step foot into the vicinity of the cafe. Distressed tables, ceilings with beautiful murals, books and an incredible panorama of the city will keep you gripped to the gorgeousness of everything this cafe has to offer. Just hang and chill with some delectable food options (mostly international cuisines). You just can't miss out on this one.
Address: Hotel Willow Banks, Mall Rd, near Tourist lift, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh Cost for Two: INR 1,500 for two people (approx.) Recommended Dishes & Drinks: Pizza, Pasta, Cocktails, Beer, Burgers, Hot Chocolate, Apple Crumble
11. Shiva Cafe, Dharamshala
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Mcleodganj proudly boasts of this cafe as it is literally a place where everyone has to head to when in Mcleodganj. You might take spirituality and worship as the theme of the cafe, but that's just at face value. Shiva, Buddha, and other deities brave the walls but by heart, this cafe bears a total hippie vibe. There's nothing like revelling in this very rustic and charming little hippie place, located right in the heart of Bhagsunag falls. Chill, jam, talk, read and do whatever over your meal, you're certainly not going to be disappointed. If you haven't been to this cafe, then you've missed out on the best of Mcleodganj!
Address: Near Bhagsunag WaterFall, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176219 Cost for two: INR 500 Recommended drinks and dishes: Maggi, Pancakes, Ginger honey lemon, Hot Chocolate, Pasta, Pizzas, Noodles.
12. Cafe 1947, Manali
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Indian Independence and an Italian affair, Cafe 1947 is a rustic cafe located in the quiet Lanes of Old Manali. The tranquillity of the area compliments the very riverside seating where the walk of the waters and the silence of the mountains are the soulful audibles that you get to hear, here. Other than this, jam sessions, live gigs, and a happening bar add onto the charm of this place. People love visiting as well as revisiting Cafe 1947 for its hospitality and food options. Definitely a great hang-out spot of Manali.
Address: Near Nehru Kund, Leh Manali Highway Vpo Bahang, Dist, Manali, Himachal Pradesh Cost for two: INR 1500 Recommended drinks and dishes: Pizza, Burgers, Bruschetta, Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Tiramisu
Now you know the best places to chill in. What keeps you from heading here? Are there any other cafes that should fit in this list? Let us know in the comments below!
