Top Restaurants in Dharamsala
Where to Eat in Dharamsala: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Serenely spiritual Dharamsala is home to the largest Tibetan temple outside of Tibet. It’s known for its religious iconography and is the monastery of the Dalai Lama, who holds public lectures a few times a year. Once you’ve restored your spiritual energy, enjoy a picturesque stroll to Bhagsu Waterfall or climb the hill to Triund to bask in stunning views of the Himalayas.
Things to do in Dharamsala
1. Green Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By Natasha L
This hotel was a great little find! The view from our room was so beautiful over the Mountains! It definitely needs some love and attention but who cares with a morning view like we had! They gave us the choice of rooms which was awesome and were friendly and attentive from the start! The food there was so so good and the Momos were amazing!!!!! To top it off the view from the restaurant was just as pretty as from our balcony. Good wifi. We had a great fan but no air con. The location was perfect, just in the centre but not enough that you're bombarded with crowds and traffic! Literally a 1/2min walk to the great craziness of McLeod and 10min slow walk to the Dalai lamas temple, we extended our stay for 4 nights as we loved it that much!
2. Jimmy's Italian Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 686 reviews
Jimmy's Italian kitchen is a family run restaurant serving Italian food since 2001..since it's a family run restaurant we feel elated that our cakes; bread;pasta and pizza sauce are all homemade. We mostly use local products in our kitchen..
Reviewed By sachin90 - Mumbai, India
Had heard a lot about this place .. no complaints .. two of these places in mcleod.. one is the bakery and the second is the actual restaurant .. bakery serves limited options.. visit the main restaurant which is next to nicks italian kitchen.. would.prefer jimmys over nicks.. do try the tibetian tea which is amul.butter mixed with milk.. was taken by surprize as it did taste really good.. pizzas and pastas are out of the world..do not miss out on the delicious cheesecakes and amazingly fresh fruit juices .. a must visit .. highly recommended !!!
3. Lung Ta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By echowa - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Authentic Japanese food.Since 2014 always had great food here.Met great friends.Long hours spent with beautiful long conversations with coffee.Extremely hospitable,courteous and warm owner and staff.Smiling charming ladies at the stitching school at the back.Cute Japanese babies playing with adorable dogs.Great harmony.
4. Nick's Italian Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 562 reviews
Reviewed By KishoreJ - Bangalore, India
Pretty good view from the restaurant, nice Italian food, lot of Desert options. Try the Momos. Lot of choice for breakfast too.
5. Snow Lion Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 326 reviews
Reviewed By Samber2 - Nottingham, United Kingdom
We arrived early in McLeod Ganj (around 07:00) and struggled to find anywhere open until we came across this place, and I’m glad that we did. We had hot chocolate which was delicious and warming, and French toast with real maple syrup which was also very tasty! The coffee menu looking amazing as well, unfortunately we couldn’t go back to try them as the cafe was closed for Losar. I would recommend a visit!
6. Tibet Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 731 reviews
Reviewed By Tanu A
Reviews have made this place overhyped!! Staff is not at all welcoming, no sense of hospitality. Person there snatched the menu from our table saying that you are done with the order. Waitress there was serving the plates and the same guy snatched the food from her hands...!!
I do not know how is this resturant still in business at a tourist place where people come from different regions and they will be representing their own culture behaving like this.
Zero hospitality, no sense to talk, rude staff!!
This resturant should be closed upon this non sense behaviour!
7. Peace Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By Debajyoti B - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
After Reading all the wonderful reviews, I had marked this place for visit before travelling to McLeod Ganj.
Finally, I came here on a Saturday evening with my family.
The restaurant is a bit difficult to find since there's only one small sign that is visible from the street. However, the first person I asked, could point me to it. 'It's famous here!' - I thought as I entered.
The restaurant is small bit very clean. Our hostess quickly showed us to our table. This was our first time in a Tibetan restaurant. So, she helped us choose our food. We ordered Thukpa and Noodles soup with mixed vegetables and Tofu.
They did not take much time to prepare food. All this while we enjoyed the homely ambience of the cafe. Some other tables were occupied and some of the visitors were foreign tourists.
Anyway, when the food arrived, we found them awesome. They tasted fresh, full of falvours and in geneous portions. We seriously could not believe we could eat that much! Yet we did.
Great experience. It wrapped up our day a Dharamshala worderfully. I shall definitely recommend Peace Cafe to all.
8. Carpe Diem
Overall Ratings
4 based on 287 reviews
Reviewed By thewanderlust_mak - New Delhi, India
A small cafe with a rooftop Terrace having soothing ambience and serving delicious food makes it a great choice for a sunday brunch.. Ordered cold coffee which turned out to be heavenly.. Then had chicken and mushroom enchiladas.. It tasted good, a bit different than what you usually get.. Great service, polite staff and amazing music made it a perfect brunch scene :)
9. Common Ground Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Common Ground Cafe is a social Enterprise that serves not only a fusion of authentic Tibetan and Chinese cuisine, but also as a gathering point and events venue for the Dharamsala community. We hope to serve you soon!
Reviewed By chetan_apa - Bengaluru, India
This cafe is very near to the main square towards the road leading to Dharamkot. After we noticed that it is almost always occupied by visitors, we also decided to give it a go and we were not disappointed. We had some Indian starter and Chinese main course and both were decent. The place has nice Seating arrangement and the host is very cordial. It was pleasant experience overall, a good place to have a relaxed afternoon lunch.
10. Illiterati
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
Reviewed By remingtonh2016
Had a great lunch at Illiterati. Ordered the Chicken Schnitzel and the Tuna Melt Sandwich as well as a very unique Kahwah tea.
Ambience: Cafe was quiet and had great decor. Had balcony seats which provided cafe goers with an opportunity to eat and enjoy the view of the Mountains. Cafe had lots of books to read as well. Could stay there to read for hours.
Food: Was fresh and good, Schnitzel was fried nicely and fries were not soggy nor were too salty. Really enjoyed their signature garlic sauce (i think it is a must try). Similarly the tuna melts was great, bread was toasted nicely and bread fillings were generous.
Service: Fast and friendly, food did not take a long time to come.
Overall a great place to relax away from the bustle of the main square. Would recommend this place for the view as well as the wide variety of books available. A must try when in Mcgleod!
