The snow-covered awe-inspiring mountain peaks, you can not take your eyes from, are the hallmark of Manali. Whether you would like to escape the summer heat or would like to feel the bliss of cold snow, visiting this hill station always offers exquisite joy. Apart from relishing the never-ending charm of this place, one can not ignore stomach growling when you are hungry on your trip. As this is a hilly area so one can not expect cafes and eateries frequently on their journey. To sort things out for you, we are providing a list of the top 7 cafes where you can stop by on your trip to Manali.
- Cafe 1947: This is indeed the best café on your Manali Tour. Located near to Beas River where bright yet tiny trinkets create an attractive ambience. The vibe of this place is so that you will be coming back here every time you happen to visit Manali. Cafe 1947 is a quaint and cosy cafe residing in the Old Manali area. Both indoor and outdoor sitting options are available here. If you would like to enjoy the surreal views of mountains then you can pick a seat near the window. Here, in terms of food, the best continental cuisines of Manali are offered. Cold beer and shisha are also offered at this cafe, available in the best quality. Live music of the place can make your evening memorable.
- Location: On the way to Manu Temple, Old Manali
- Must-try dishes: Pizzas, Pasta and Burgers
- Timings: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM every day & 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM only on Wednesday2. Johnson’s Cafe: Nestled against a scenic backdrop of snow-laden mountains, this captivating Manali cafe has one of the best ambiences in Manali. Apart from indoor, it also provides the facility to dine outside. The view of a lush green floral garden seems to be greeting you in the daytime. If you are an evening person then you will find a dimly lit space with a bonfire welcoming you. Rustic wooden furniture and retro music album poster highlights make the interior of Johnson’s Cafe classic. The menu is limited, however, it has some of the best European classics. The prices in this cafe are slightly higher than others in the locality.
- Location: Circuit House Road
- Must-try dishes: Trout fish
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM3. Drifter’s Cafe: To take care of your breakfast woes, this cafe is like a hidden gem residing in Old Manali. A local band facility, to play some Hindi and English classics in the evening, is also available. The lovely interior, tasty food and board games to kill time – Drifter’s Cafe has everything to make your day better. Visiting this place during the peak season to experience the pleasant warmth is recommended. An isolated bar menu is open for all the cocktail fanatics. All in all, this cosy place can bring you total joy & amusement that you might be expecting from a cafe.
- Location: Manu Temple Road, Old Manali
- Must-try dishes: Pizza, Egg Benedict, Chicken Stroganoff, Trout
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM4. Born Free Cafe: This cafe offers the best live music experience. The ambience of this place is what your tiring soul needs after you have done enough sightseeing. This cafe also provides room facility, if you want to rent a room on your trip then the same can be realized here. This cafe also offers the typical hippie vibe of old Manali. Beautiful graffiti on the wall will surely be a plus point for a hip hop lover. This cafe offers various types of cuisines ranging from American to Himachali.
- Location: Old Manali Bridge
- Must-try dishes: Pasta, Hummus
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM5. Kilta Cafe: To taste one of the best coffees in Himachal Pradesh, this cafe is the best place. The blissful aroma of coffee can attract you to this cafe if you are travelling nearby. Apart from hand-brewed coffee that is prepared by some of the nicest people, some delectable desserts are also available. You can buy some mocha for your home as roasted coffee are also available here. If you are near Nagar road, visiting this place is a must for you.
- Kilta Cafe Location: Near Nagar Road, VPO Aleo, Manali
- Must-try dishes: Coffee, Cakes, Cookies
- Timings: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM6. Casa Bella Vista: This is indeed the best place for Italian food. You can order a variety of pizzas here. The alfresco seating of this place and viewing location are another highlighting features of this cafe. The view of the hill is very clear and is in the line of sight. In the late evening, the sound of the river flowing is truly soul-pleasing. Striking decor and a lip-smacking Italian menu can make your Manali trip memorable.
- Casa Bella Vista Location: Near Log Huts Road, Off the Old Manali Road
- Must-try dishes: Pizza, Ravioli, Cheese Cake
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM7. People Art Cafe & Lounge: This cafe is located opposite the Lazy Dog Cafe, another good option, but why are we giving this priority is because of the music and hookah addition. You can taste the cousins of around 5 countries here. This cafe has the capacity to serve many different kinds of flavours on your palate. On one hand, the amazing meal will delight your taste buds, on the other, the hookah is a present for hookah lovers.
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- Location: Manali Road, Old Manali
- Must-Try: Pad Thai Noodles, Sushi, Burgers
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM