Dharamsala's 10 Best Restaurants And Local Eats

Dharamsala is home to 10,000 Tibetans and their exiled leader, so, unsurprisingly, there are dozens of Tibetan restaurants. One of the best is the simply named Tibet Kitchen, which offers a wide variety of all the dishes typical to the country: steamed vegetable dumplings, called momos; soupy noodles, called thukpa; and golden fried baby corn. The waiters are patient as guests ponder over the menu and are quick to serve the food once the order has been made.
Tibet Kitchen, Jogiwara Road, House 1, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, India, 01892 221980

What Namghal Café is best at is rather specific; vegetarian pizza. If you prefer your pizza covered in peperoni and sausages then you may be disappointed, but this restaurant is worth a visit even if you’re not enticed by the food. It is set within the Dalai Lama’s temple and most of the waiters are volunteers from a school for Tibetan Refugee children. Lounge on the sunny roof terrace and admire the view or flick through the Buddhist books on offer in the cosy interior.
Namgyal Café, Nowrojee Road, Dharamsala, India

If books are what you’re looking for, then check out the tranquil, idyllically-positioned café Illiterati. Owned by a charming Belgian, this place has a big balcony with spectacular views over Dharamsala’s rolling green hills. It doubles up as a library and has neat shelves of books, used and new, which can be borrowed or bought. It is elegantly furnished with polished wood, wide windows and a piano at one corner. The owner or his guests often play a tune on the piano as others read and eat. The food is fresh and mostly appealing to those with European tastes, ranging from tomato soup to pizza, lasagna and fresh salads. The teas and coffees are excellent. An ideal place for a lazy, literary brunch.
Café Illiterati, Lower Jogibara Rd, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India, 9736479352

You get what you’re promised in this casual two-storey restaurant: chicken tandoori, yellow dahl, vegetable biryani and aloo gobi, all heavy with Indian spice and sold for less than £3 a plate. The upper deck is full of plant life and simple wooden tables with open walls in good weather.
The Taste of India, Dharamkot road, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj, India, 9736083878

The little Peace Café is a great place to enjoy a plate of stir-fried noodles amongst chattering monks. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity suggested in the restaurant’s title, relax whilst taking in breathtaking views and watching Indian life pass by. Peace Café is also a good breakfast pit stop offering masala tea, fresh juices and deliciously steamed Tibetan bread.
Peace Café, Main Mall, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India.

Combining views of snow-capped mountains with excellent Italian food, Nick’s Italian Kitchen can’t fail to impress. The huge, open terrace looks out over the Himalayan foothills and the menu offers classic Italian specialities such as cannelloni, pizza, spaghetti, gnocchi and risotto. Star dishes include the lasagne and aptly christened ‘pizza everything’.
Nick’s Italian Kitchen, Bhagsu Road, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India