These Are 15 Cafes That You Simply Can’t Miss in McLeodganj

Whenever they want to beat the summer heat of the Indian plains, McLeodganj is one of the first towns they head to. It's quaint colonial ambience and the beautiful mountains surrounding it make it a perfect vacation or weekend getaway spot.

What surprised me most though was when my friends returned from a vacation there and told me about its reputation as a foodie’s paradise. That I really didn’t expect. After all, it isn’t exactly a bustling hub like Bangalore, I thought. My friends quickly disabused me of the notion.

Thanks to its relaxed, hippie vibe, McLeodganj gets a lot of visitors each year looking to get away from it all. The locals have understood that such vast masses need feeding and have risen to the challenge beautifully.

At ShoutLo, we are going to take a look at the-

15 cafes in Mcleodganj that you must visit:

Woeser Bakery

Looking for the best carrot cake in all of the town? Head straight to Woeser Bakery in the basement of the Black Magic Restaurant. You can enjoy a cup of cappuccino, a chocolate-dipped cherry and some well-earned peace and quiet. Add in a friendly owner and some awesome brownies and the Woeser Bakery becomes the perfect place to relax with friends.

Illiterati Books & Coffee

Go to Illiterati for two things – the views and the books. If you, like me, are a bookworm and love mountains, this is the perfect place for you. You can have their famous coffee, relax with a book, look up occasionally at some stunning vistas and enjoy the occasional piano music. Don’t miss out on the burgers and the amazing Italian food.

Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen

What can you expect here? Well…Italian! But not just any Italian – here you will find some of the tastiest pasta and pizzas you’ve ever had. Wrap up your meal with the chocolate mousse and you’ll thank us. The prices are surprisingly low too, so it’s no wonder people keep coming back again and again.

Seed Café

Do you want some good live music and delectable dessert to go with it in the evening? Head straight to the Seed Café. Actually, head straight to it in the daytime too for some stunning views of the mountains. The café is famous for its sandwiches, pancakes and pasta.

Tibet Kitchen

When in McLeodganj, you need to at least taste some Tibetan cuisine and the best place to do that is the Tibet Kitchen. Its popularity can be assessed by the fact that it has a lounge and three floors which are always packed. Make sure that you try the steamed momos. The portions are more than enough for those with big appetites.

Crepe Pancake Hut

You could say that the Crepe Pancake Hut is the quintessential McLeodganj eatery. It has the relaxed vibe that everyone comes to this hill station for. Low tables, cushions on the ground and books in the shelves ensure that you can take a load off, relax and sip their mint tea while enjoying some great pancakes.

Moonpeak Espresso

This is the tiny yet adorable café in the hills – the perfect place to enjoy your lazy holiday with a cup of what is perhaps the best coffee in McLeodganj. The food here is good too; plus, there is free Wi-Fi. What more could you want?

Namgyal Café

The wood-fired pizzas in this café have to be tried to be believed. You can find the café in the Om Hotel located on Nowrojee Road. The ambience is fun and the pastas and sandwiches delicious. In addition, there are books. Need we say more?

McLlo Café

If you don’t want to cut your evening short too early, head straight to McLlo Café – well-known for staying open late. The cuisine is from all over the world and you can enjoy it with some good music and chilled beer.

Lobsang’s Four Season Café

This little café is proof positive that the best things in life come in small packages. The cuisine is both Tibetan and Italian and the momos here are to die for. It’s well-known enough that it is usually quite crowded but you won’t regret waiting for a table here.

Carpe Diem

This particular café has a rooftop, where you can sit and relax with some hot ginger lemon tea and a few friends on a chilly evening. Their menu is fairly varied with Italian, Indian, Mexican, Thai and Chinese dishes. Try out the Nutella crepes for a truly delicious experience.

Khaana Nirvana

This one is for the vegans who generally find it difficult to get the right kind of food on a vacation. The food here is not only fresh but also organic and free from preservatives. In addition, the ambience is calm and peaceful.

Shiva Café

Anyone who has ever been to McLeodganj has raved about this place and rightfully so. A place with a really strong hippie vibe, Shiva Café is very relaxed and has some great munchies on offer. In particular, you won’t want to leave without tasting the Maggi. The views are nothing to sneeze at either.

Peace Café

If you want to feel the warm fuzzies, Peace Café is where you want to head. A family-run enterprise, the café always serves hot food. You can enjoy butter tea and fresh Tibetan bread, both of which will really give you a warm feeling.

The Clay Oven

Delicious tea, hot momos and the mountains – that is what this place promises and that is what it delivers. You’ll find the café in the main square of McLeodganj. The ambience is warm and the dumplings are steaming so be sure to stop by and sample them.

Have we missed out anything? Do let us know in the comments section.