Best Cafes in Dharamshala

In Dharamshala, Dharmkot, Mcleodganj, and Bhagsu, you’ll find no shortage of cafes with pretty views, bakeries, and good restaurants. Sipping on a hot cup of coffee or tea with a slice of cake while gazing at the Dhauladhar range—it’s perfect, isn’t it? During my extended stay, I had the pleasure of visiting several cafes, and here’s my honest review of the experience.

I might have not done justice with photos in this blog because sometimes my partner and I were almost halfway through our meal when we realised we should take some. Sometimes I didn’t take any pictures at all, and other times we’d start eating something before I remembered to snap a photo. My partner understood the situation and would gently smile, pausing for me to quickly take a picture. Sometimes they turned out well, and other times not so much, but I didn’t want him to keep waiting for the photo. So please bear with us as there may be some good and not-so-good photos 🙂

Tibet Kitchen, Mcleodganj

If you’re longing for momos, thukpa, or any other traditional Tibetan delicacy, this place is a definite must-visit. During my visit, I ate momos, and they certainly lived up to all my expectations. The service was prompt and friendly, adding to the overall enjoyable dining experience. With both low seating and dining tables available.

Here’s the Google Maps link – Tibet Kitchen

Morgan’s Place, Dharmkot

They serve thin-crust pizzas, pastas, and refreshing fresh juices. During my visit, I tried their thin-crust pizza and fresh juice, and both were delicious.

The best thing about Morgan’s Place is its beautiful setting. You can see Dharmkot and the big mountains from there, which makes it a really pretty spot. When I arrived, the restaurant was empty, but after about 15 minutes, it got busy with lots of people. Some of them were smoking, drinking alcohol, and the place was filled with smoke which wasn’t so nice. The cafe also need to work on maintenance, it would be even better if the place can be kept cleaner and nicer. But overall, Morgan’s Place is still a lovely place to relax and enjoy a meal in the peaceful surroundings of Dharmkot.

Google Maps Link – Morgan’s Place, Dharmkot

1740 Bakery, Dharamshala

Its along Fatehpur road, and Nidhi – the owner of the cafe, has curated a cozy and inviting atmosphere. She’s made small but thoughtful touches, like swapping out sugar paper pouches for a glass jar filled with jaggery and brown sugar. I’ve sampled their blueberry cake slice, sandwich, and cold coffee—all of which were delightful. We were so enamored with the cake slice that we ordered another, even as we were still savoring the first half. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t finish the slice, but Nidhi kindly packed it up for us to take home.

Their menu has a variety of offerings, from sourdough bread to cookies and even vada pav. You can explore their menu through the link below. I also purchased some bread and cookies, and both were quite enjoyable.

You should definitely add this cafe to your list of must-visit places.

Google Maps Link – 1740 Bakery Dharamshala

I wanted to surprise my partner, and Nidhi promptly responded to my idea by preparing a custom cake for us. We cut the cake while traveling from Dharamshala to Mashobra.

Dakini House Mcleodganj

Fresh juices, great views, and freshly baked pizzas.

Khanabadosh Cafe – CoWork, Food & Movies, Dharamkot

Khanabadosh Cafe is nestled along a narrow path in Dharmkot, offering a blend of North Indian and South Indian cuisine. The highlight, however, is undoubtedly the beautiful view that accompanies your meal – a perfect backdrop for relaxation.

During our visit, we were treated to a unique experience – an ongoing paint workshop accompanied by live guitar music, complemented by the soothing sounds of chirping birds in the background. It was a tranquil atmosphere that allowed me to quietly enjoy my meal and delve into a good book. While I appreciated the ambiance and overall vibe of the cafe, I found the food to be somewhat lacking.

We opted for a masala dosa and a veg sandwich. Unfortunately, the turmeric in the potato masala was undercooked, detracting from the dish’s overall appeal. On the bright side, the sambar and chutney accompanying the dosa were quite flavorful. As for the sandwich, it was overloaded with onions, and the other ingredients seemed to be haphazardly arranged outside the bread, resulting in a somewhat disjointed eating experience.

Overall, while Khanabadosh Cafe offers a serene setting and a variety of food options, my dining experience fell short of expectations. It’s possible that our visit was an isolated incident, so I encourage you to give it a try and share your own experience with me.

Google Maps Link – Khanabadosh Cafe – CoWork, Food & Movies

Jimmy’s Tibeten Cuisine – McLeodGanj

Jimmy’s Asian, Italian, and Tibetan can be found in the market of Mcleodganj. They’re known for their impressive food and it’s presentation. During my visit to Asian Kitchen, we ordered a pulpy mango shake and a veg platter. While I enjoyed the spring rolls, I found the momos to be overly oily, and the fries dipped in honey were too sweet for my liking. The mango shake had an artificial mango flavouring, with only a few actual mango slices in it.

On the flip side, our fellow travellers thoroughly enjoyed their non-vegetarian meals at both establishments. They also shared good reviews for the dishes served at Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen.

Google Maps Link – Jimmy’s Asian Kitchen – McLeodGanj

German Bakery, Bhagsu

They offer plenty of options for non-vegetarian dishes, but their selection for vegetarians is a bit limited. Despite that, I decided to visit with the hope of indulging in a slice of cake. However, on the day of my visit, they had only one eggless dessert available – Bhagsu special slice and it was good. It is a mix of biscuits, honey, chocolate, and caramel. I’ve heard great things about their cakes – they’re supposed to be fresh and delicious, so if you don’t mind eggs, it’s worth giving them a try.

Alternatively, there’s another bakery called Old German Bakery that is also known for its sourdough bread and fresh cakes. I’ve heard positive reviews about their food from people.

Google Maps Link – German Bakery

TREK & DINE, Dharmkot

We decided to trek from Mcleodganj to Dharmkot just to try out this place everyone was talking about. But if hiking uphill isn’t your thing, you can always grab a cab from Mcleodganj instead. The vibes of the cafe were amazing – with people enjoying food and live guitar music.

The cafe is not a small one – it has two floor. I ordered the pesto pasta and a fresh fruit drink, both of which were pretty good. The only downside was that the garlic on the garlic bread wasn’t cooked properly. Other than that, it was a great experience.

I feel like I struggle with handling food when it’s undercooked. 😉 🙂

Google Maps Link – Trek & Dine

Punjabi Tadka – Pure Vegetarian Dhaba, Bhagsu

If you’re are craving homely Indian food, look no further than Punjabi Tadka Dhaba. Located near Bhagsu temple, dhaba offers exactly what you’re looking for – ghar k jaisa khana (food like home-cooked food). During our visit to Bhagsu temple, we stumbled upon this dhaba, and it turned out to be a good find.

My partner and I were impressed by the simplicity and heartiness of the food. It was just what we needed—light on the stomach yet incredibly satisfying. What’s more, the dhaba happily accommodated our request for minimal oil cooking and customization, ensuring that our meals were tailored to our preferences. In fact, we enjoyed the food so much that we ended up dining here for both brunch and dinner two days in a row.

And the best part? It’s budget-friendly, making it the perfect option for those planning an extended stay in the area. Plus, we were so impressed by our experience that we took it upon ourselves to add this place to Google Maps – because great food deserves to be shared!

Google Maps Link – Punjabi Tadka – Pure Vegetarian Dhaba, Bhagsu

Eating dal chawal at the Triund top was one of my favourite.

Having morning tea on the hotel balcony.

Others

These are the cafes I had on my list to visit, but unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance this time around. Perhaps I’ll check them out during my next trip, or if you’ve already been there, I’d love to hear your reviews!

• Old German Bakery
• Bodhi Greens – The Organic Vegan Café by Chef Varun
• The Bird House Cakery – Carrot cake
• Woeser Bakery – vegan options, gluten free
• Skol Culture
• La Vita Cafe
• Shiva Cafe – Hike and sip lemon tea 🙂

I hope you found some inspiration for cafes to explore in Dharamshala. If you have any queries or need further information, feel free to ask in the comments below—I’m here to help!