I Love Food
Wherever I travel, I make it a priority to find the best places to eat and try as many local dishes as possible. It's lists like this one that have guided me to great eateries on past trips, so I have decided to start compiling my own lists of cafes and restaurants that I have enjoyed, to pass on the favour, and savour the memories!
About Dharamkot
Dharamkot is a cute little hippie village just north of Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh. There are no roads, with just one pathway connecting Lower and Upper Dharamkot, dotted with shops and restaurants. The village is certainly very touristy, and falls directly on the 'hummus trail'.
This is a route through India that young Israelis travel after they have finished their military service. When we were there in September 2022 we were the only non-Israeli people in the entire place, so you can expect menu items of hummus and falafel in almost all establishments.
If you're interested in the best hikes in Dharamkot, and how to incorporate Dharamkot into a wider Himachal Pradesh itinerary, check out my article: The Highlights of Himachal Pradesh.
About the food scene in Dharamkot
Because everything is geared towards foreigners, it's difficult to find street food, dhabas, and cheap eats. I did however find some lovely places to enjoy food and spend time between hikes, and here are my favourites...
The best places to eat in Dharamkot
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Moonlight Café
Best for: ATMOSPHERE
The Moonlight Cafe was without a doubt one of the best places to eat in Dharamkot , and actually my favourite spot. The service was exceptional, the two lads running the place were so welcoming and attentive.
Good service in restaurants isn't that common in India, so I was delighted with how things were run here. This is the type of place you can go for a bite and spend the rest of the night playing cards and listening to their wicked playlist.
I loved the Tibetan dishes like Momo's and Thupka, and if you fancy a break from local cuisine, their Chicken Schnitzel is excellent.
Khanabadosh
Best for: INDIAN DISHES & VIEWS
This restaurant is a little out of the way, in lower Dharamkot tucked down a small path off of the main walkway. It has great views of the mountains and really nice arty decor. I loved the South Indian dishes, their Masala dosa in particular!
Lama Bakery
Best for: SANDWICHES
What a gem!
Lama Bakery doesn't look like much from the outside, you could easily walk straight past it, but don't do that, because it truly deserves its spot as one of the best places to eat in Dharamkot! (The queues out front said it all!) The grilled cheese and olive baguette was delicious, as well as their apple pie. (Apples grow locally here!)
This may be the closest you'll get to street food in Dharamkot, and definitely, a place you can visit multiple times.
Not sure what to pack for your trip to Fiji? Check out the I Dream of Mangoes article:
Open Heart Cafe
Best for: COFFEE & SERVICE
I have made several trips to India over the last decade, and this year is the first time that 'coffee-machine' style coffees have been readily available. That being said, they're not always great, but I was really impressed with my cappuccino at Open Heart Cafe.
This place is always bustling, with benches facing outwards, so it's the perfect spot to work on your laptop, with gorgeous views of the village and mountains.
The Birdhouse Cakery
Best for: SWEET TOOTHS
Okay so I won't lie, I never made it to the Birdhouse Cakery. They are closed between 2pm and 4pm each day and also on Wednesdays, and I always seemed to be walking past at the wrong time. However it always smelt amazing, and word on the street is that they serve the best baked goods in the village, which makes it one of the best places to eat in Dharamkot.
This picture was taken the day we escaped from Vipassana - treating ourselves to a pretty decent 'Pasta Alfredo' and a few beers. Some places serve beers off-menu, meaning they do not have an alcohol license, so your bill may say something like 'Good Times'!
Thank you for reading my post on the best places to eat in Dharamkot. If you enjoyed the read please consider subscribing to my blog where I post articles once every 1-2 weeks about my current travels.
If you're planning a trip to India check out my blog post on Everything you need to know before you go!
Looking for inspiration for a Himachal Pradesh itinerary? Read my article on the Highlights of Himachal for ideas and advice!
Happy Travels
xxx
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