Mcleod Ganj in the suburbs of Dharamshala is most popular around the globe for being the seat of Tibetan Administration in exile. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama had come here after the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959.
Tibetans have a stronghold over the town, with mixed influences from other communities such as local Himachalis, Nepalese, and foreign expats. This truly reflects in their food culture. McLeod Ganj hosts restaurants and cafes that serve world cuisine and culinary specialties to satiate a traveler’s appetite for variety in food.
So, here’s listing the top 5 cafes and eateries in the town you must try during one of your visits:-
Let’s look at some of the best food retreats in McLeod Ganj: –
Tibet Kitchen
Located at Jogiwara Road, House #1 , Tibet Kitchen is famous for its Momos (Veg and Mutton) as starters, then Thukpa and a couple of other Tibetan dishes (including ice noodles).
The menu here also offers traditional Chinese Hunan dishes along with Bhutanese cuisines, with the Bhutanese mutton being a favorite of the visitors. The food is authentic and they give you all kinds of sauces to make it according to your taste.
Lung Ta
Lung Ta is also located on the Jogiwara Road and serves fresh piping hot Japanese vegetarian food. Ideal for light meals with the vegetarian sushi and okonomiyaki as its most popular dishes. The agedashi tofu (fried tofu in soya based sauce) is another delight offered at the place. The authentic food taste and quantity charged for its price will make a visit to this place worth every penny.
Sangye’s Kitchen
It is located near the Tashi Choeling Monastary on the Jogiwara Road and serves momos, thukpas, butter tea, tingmo, khapsey and its unique chocolate dumplings. The chef here also gives lessons to cook authentic Tibetan dishes. Chocolate momo fillings are the most famous exports of the place.
Nick’s Italian Kitchen
Nick’s Italian Kitchen is located on top the Kunga Guest House on the Bhagsu Road, which leads towards the Bhagsunag Waterfalls. It lies less than 100 meters from the main square and has a large terrace overlooking the valley below with views of the Himalayan foothills. Canelloni, veg pizza, chocolate mousse with honey ginger lemon tea are some of its famous dishes. Pizzas and cakes dominate its menu with beverages such as coffee and masala chai popular with guests.
Chocolate Log
Chocolate Log is known for its cakes and pies and is also situated on the Jogiwara Road. It is located close to the Mcleod Ganj market and serves splendid and unique pies and bakery items. The “Black Magic” chocolate cake is known to leave its consumers lost for words and the chocolate brownie available here is said to be the best in whole of Dharamshala. Mango shakes and Iced coffees are another of its popular items on the menu list.
Wooser Bakery
Hidden away downstairs in the basement of a flashy building with a nightclub on the upper floor, this tiny little cafe has great chocolates, tea, pastries, and a small, but delicious selection of food. It is located on the Jogiwara Road, below the Black Magic restaurant. The menu is dominated with the coffees, cakes and deserts all of whom have plenty to offer for those not interested in trying out the local or Tibetan cuisines. The carrot cake and the chocolate cake are its star attractions.
Snow Lion Restaurant
Located opposite to the McLeodGanj Hospital on the Jogiwara Road, the restaurant sports great interiors. The various coffee flavors offered here bring a wonderful ambience to the place and is a nice place to sit back and relax. The chocolate crunch and tofu momos along with the Apple pie, Banana pie and other fruit pie’s are the most popular with visitors along with the numerous flavors of coffee available here.
Numerous other eating joints are spread across the McLeod Ganj market and in its vicinities leaving you with plenty of options to choose from.
An engineer by qualification but a writer by choice.
