The Best Restaurants In Shimla

Despite looking shiny and new, The Devicos is one of the city’s most historic eateries, whilst simultaneously offering a nighttime ambiance you won’t find anywhere else in Shimla. Its modest exterior gives way to a Rajasthani-designed interior décor, distinctly reminiscent of Shimla’s European roots. A family restaurant by day, The Devicos completely transforms after the sun goes down: a modern, sleek bar with a premium selection of whiskeys and vodkas, the upbeat chatter of Shimla’s college crowd, and the neon lights of a Western nightclub.

Locals will tell you that Qilaa is the place to go if you want a cozy twist on the themed restaurant. With soul-warming multicultural comfort food and a subtle Arab-style ambiance, it’s perfect for relaxing with a good book or chilling with good company. Dark orange curtains separate dining areas, which are simple yet elegant. The menu has almost every cuisine on the Asian continent, but is best known for its falafel and chai tea. Qilaa encompasses leisure and luxury all at once.

Seventh Heaven is for the couple who want a lavishly romantic fine dining experience without spending a small fortune on a plate of appetizers. Located on the seventh floor of the highly-rated Hotel Combermere in the heart of Shimla, Seventh Heaven offers an enchanting view of the Shimla mountaintops that will leave you captivated before your meal even arrives. The extensive multi-cultural menu can be enjoyed on an outdoor terrace as well, which has a fire to keep you and your significant other warm throughout the night.

Cecil is a premier culinary experience found at Shimla’s famous Oberoi Luxury Hotel and Resort. At a dizzying 7,000 feet above sea level, Cecil offers a unique bird’s eye view of the majestic Himachali landscape. The restaurant is often referred to by visitors as a crown jewel because of its exotic, expensive menu. So as you treat yourself to a tantalizing selection of Thai curries and freshly baked Indian breads, remember to also drink in the dark mahogany wall panelling, the antique chandeliers and the old-world charm of Cecil.

Indian Coffee House, not to be confused with the South Indian chain restaurant of the same name, is another hole-in-the-wall gem that you should certainly seek out in the maze of Shimla. Locals flock to it for the artfully blended flavors of the South Indian-style filter coffee, it’s the smoothest, most authentic filter coffee you will find in Shimla. Drink it slowly as you sit back and take in Shimla’s spied breezes, lush hilltop stations and foggy mountains.

When you’re craving a taste of true Himachali cuisine, look no further than Ashiana & Goofa, a beloved fixture in Shimla’s Lower Bazaar that hasn’t changed its menu in years. Himachali cuisine traditionally accompanies its luscious, creamy tomato-based gravy with soft, steam-filled breads. Ashiana & Goofa incredible dishes are favorites with locals and tourists alike, who especially love coming here for late lunch outings. At such affordable prices and with spectacular views of the mountain base, Ashiana & Goofa is the definition of culinary authenticity in Shimla.

The Wake & Bake Café is a cultural masterpiece in that, given its historically rich surroundings, seems anachronistically ahead of its time. With a distinctly laid back vibe caught somewhere between bohemian and upscale rustic, it’s the only restaurant in Shimla that offers bona fide French crêpes, Lebanese hummus, and South Indian pancakes. Hand-painted branches and vines cover the walls, contrasting with the charming oak tables and natural lighting. Wake & Bake is the preferred gathering place of Shimla’s youthful crowd, but you’re guaranteed to find folks of all ages enjoying breakfast here.

Honey Hut is more than just a convenient stop in The Mall where you can get your daily sweet fix. It’s an immensely enjoyable experience centered around a uniquely Himachali product: pure honey, cultivated locally by the hut’s own veteran beekeepers. Not only is every edible delicacy in the restaurant flavored or sweetened with genuine Shimla honey, the adjoined shop also sells homemade, honey-infused artisan soaps, lip balms, and chocolate. Honey Hut is best known for its milky coffee topped generously with honey, served all day and all night.

Spars Lodge is an escape from the ordinary. With round-the-clock service and talented executive chefs, Spars Lodge is the homely version of a five-star resort. Though it’s a few kilometers past Scandal Point, the State Museum is within driving distance and the hillside views are as lovely as ever. The star of the menu is the trout: locally caught and always fresh, the way it is served rotates so often that you’ll never eat it the same way twice.

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