Best Dishes, Restaurants and Hot Spots To Eat And Drink In Shimla

Situated in Himachal Pradesh, India, Shimla is the perfect spot for a high-spirited holiday or even some work. This article will help you find the best shops, eateries and local hot spots to experience!

Eateries in Shimla

Himachali Rasoi-

As funny as it may sound, being in Shimla and finding local cuisine can be a very tough ask for a traveler. With the popularization and promotion of international themed cafes in Shimla, the local food took the back seat and slowly vanished from the visible area.

This makes the effort of a revival of the Himachali cuisine all the more necessary and impressive made by the Himachali Rasoi. A welcome change for travelers who have probably seen enough of cafes in Shimla that carry an international taste palate.

Ashiana

Located in a fanciful circular building, with its majestic interiors will remind you of The British Era. The ambiance is great with a stunning view of the Ridge. There is also an open terrace, where you can enjoy your meal while basking in the afternoon sun. The food is absolutely delicious especially the Indian cuisine.

Indian Coffee House

This place has been in Shimla for decades and is quite popular especially among the locals. The ambience of this restaurant is truly one of kind in Shimla. The chattering people and old rustic seats will take back to your city life. The food is great and it’s by far the cheapest place to eat in Shimla.

Baljee’s

Baljee’s is one the oldest and most reputed places in town. This place is famous for its Indian Cuisine and Desserts and it never fails to delight you. It’s a wonderful family restaurant with quick service and welcoming interiors.

Wake & Bake

It’s a quaint little place located right opposite the Town Hall. The place is quite lively and you’ll find a lot of youngsters around. This place is quite famous for its Coffee and Pizzas.

Hideout Cafe

Situated in the heart of Shimla, this cafe has become one the best in town. The ambience is great and the food is tasty and flavoursome. You’ll mostly see a lot of youngsters in here with a couple of foreign tourists as well.

Cafe Simla Times

It is impossible to skip this place, if you are headed to Shimla. Cafe Simla Times is one of the most loved cafes in Shimla, not only for its quirky ambience, good food and beverages but also for its enticing valley view, which makes this place a must visit. From decadent Tiramisu to tasteful wood fire pizzas to continental and Indian platters, the multi-cuisine menu has something for every palate. The live performances and artistic ambience and the vibrant Ambassador car makes this cafe the soul of Shimla.

Café Sol

When there's too many of you Ponder over what to order under the cheerful ambience of an orange and yellow semi-circular ceiling that casts a warm glow on everything. This is the place to head to when you are in a group with different tastes–the menu at the city's most popular café has something for everyone!

We do hope that you all know an incredibly exciting way to explore this little gem of a town, so mouse around and book some Shimla Manali tour packages for yourself

What To Eat In Shimla

Popular vegetarian dishes of Shimla include kaddu ka khatta, guchhi matter and sepu vadi. You should definitely try the traditional vegetarian dessert prepared with sweet rice is mittha.

The other mid day meal during festive season is Dham, served on leaf plates or Epattalsi. As far as the menu of this concerned, it includes rice, a curd based dish, curry, mustard based raita, pulses and sweets.

The famous recipes of Shimla are Indra (made of urad dal),Baadi/Ghaunda, and Bada/Poldu.

Specialities you should try:

Kangri Cuisine: Khatta with rice, Madra with rice. At religious places, called dhams and at the homes of locals you will get this.

Mash daal(commonly known as askali daal) is made with split black lentils. This special heart-warming daal is made after soaking the legumes overnight, pressure-cooking it and then simmering it in a heavy-bottomed pan along with a saute of fine onions, ginger, garlic shallow fried in warm mustard oil. Sounds lovely? You can try out this special dish with naan or sidu.

Sidu is the popular fresh Shimla bread made of yeast-kneaded wheat, mashed boiled green peas, roasted nuts, and paneer. It is a mouth-watering bread variety and is an out-and-out Himachal dish. Sidu is usually paired with Mash daal, ghee, and pudina/dhania chutney.

Madra is a traditional delicacy from the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. This dish is rich in nutritional and cultural values and is a part of every festive event in Shimla. Madras made of soaked chickpeas or veggies, prepared in warm oil and different seasonings such as cloves, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander powder.

Babru is another tasty delicacy of Shimla and is a Himachal version of the popular North Indian kachoris. Babruis made by stuffing soaked and groundeddaal paste to kneaded dough patties, which are then rolled and deep-fried. These hot deep fried kachoris are then served with tamarind chutney. Do not miss the street-version of Babru at the Mall Road.

Dhaam is a complete meal that comes with a wholesome promise of taste and nutrition. In Shimla, this traditional spread consists of dal, rajma, rice, curd, boor kiKadiand is complemented with home-madegur (jaggery). With every plate, Dhaam promises a variety of tastes and is a must-serve for celebrations and festivals in Shimla. During special occasions, Dhaam is prepared by special chefs known as botis.

After all these vegetarian delicacies, let us focus a bit on the non-vegetarian wonders of Shimla food.

Thupka is a noodle soup of Tibetan origin and is prepared with a variety of fresh vegetables such as tomato, onions, spring onions, string beans, carrot, and chopped cabbage, with steamed meat pieces. Boiled noodles are also added to this meal which is prepared hot with ginger garlic paste, chili, and regional sauces. And interestingly, Thupka without meat is served as veg Thupka.

ChhaGosht is a must-have for mutton or lamb meat lovers. This dish is made with seasoned lamb meat marinated and prepared in a sauce of gram flour, yogurt, and spices.

Where to Drink In Shimla

Sixteen 69 Lounge Bar

This is the most happening bar in Shimla. An in-house bar of the Marina Hotel, situated on Mall Road, this bar is a perfect place for party animals with celebrity DJs. Along with awesome songs, they also offer the finest liquor with the ambiance. For an ideal nightlife in Shimla, head over to Sixteen 69 Lounge Bar and let this place enthrall your vacation!

Location: Hotel Marina, Mall Rd, Bemloi, Shimla

Timings: Closes 11 PM

Himani Bar & Restaurant

Another lovely place to explore the nightlife of Shimla is the Himani Bar. Besides having amazing music, it also serves a wide array of drinks with amazing tasty meals from Mughlai and Indian cuisines. The Himani bar promises you a peaceful yet lively evening in Shimla.

Location: Stairs, Middle Bazar, The Mall, Shimla

Timings: Closes 10:45 pm

The Pub

Looking for a place to enjoy the best brews in Shimla? This popular outlet at Ritz is the venue for many relaxed evenings. Go all out and try out the amazing cocktail and mocktails on the menu. The Foot tapping music and ambiance make up a vibrant and peppy experience.

Location: Ritz Cineplex, Shimla Timings: Closes 9 PM

Rendezvous Bar And Restaurant

Looking for a place to unwind and relax after a day of sightseeing? Rendezvous Bar offers a variety of refreshing drinks to choose from. The professional bartenders provide amazing concoctions with delicious and crunchy appetizers. Grab your favorite drink and enjoy the dazzling ambiance of this electrifying bar!

Location: Scandal Point, The Mall, Shimla.

Timings: Closes 11:00 pm

Devicos Bar

Devicos Bar is an ideal bar cum restaurant for a large number of groups to enjoy the city nightlife. With moderate pricing, this place is a delight for budget travelers to enjoy delicious eateries and favorite drinks.

Location: 5, Mall Rd, Vijaya Bank, The Mall, Shimla Timings: Closes 11:00 pm