Mussoorie was created by British officials as an escape from the hot central plains. This attractive hill station has been a favorite destination for those who adore the mountains. Its Raj-era architecture and spectacular views are continuing to attract travelers. The lovely hill town has many cozy cafés that offer delicious food.
Here are ten of the best and most popular cafés in Mussoorie for your next mountain holiday.
1. The Criterion Café
The Criterion Café is known for its cozy and rustic ambiance, with wooden interiors and a fireplace that keep the place warm during cold days. The café has a large open-air balcony that offers beautiful views of the Doon Valley and the Himalayas. The place is perfect for a quiet and romantic dinner or for a family lunch with a relaxed atmosphere where people can hang out and enjoy the classic soft rock music that is playing.
Some of the café's most popular dishes are the aglio olio pasta, the thin-crust peri peri pizza, and the pasta with white sauce. The atmosphere and the food are both great, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
Address: The Mall Road, Mussoorie
Timings: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Price for two: INR 800
2. Café By The Way
Located on Mall Road, Café ByThe Way is known for its excellent coffee, pizza, shakes, and subs, as well as its friendly service and pleasant ambiance. It is famous for its Irish coffee, garlic cheese bread, and chicken sandwiches, as well as its tangerine walls and framed rock band posters. Its hot chocolate, hazelnut lattes, and herb fries are all top sellers.
Everything in the café, from the paintings to the lights to the tissue-note scribbles, adds to the charm. Curly fries seasoned with herbs, iced lemon tea, and a green apple cooler are also available. You can kill time with some of the delightful and adorable dogs that are chilling there, and even play some Uno or Ludo or simply read a book.
Address: 1, South End House, Gajendra Building, The Mall Road
Timings: 12 p.m.–10 p.m.
Price for two: INR 450
3. Café de Tavern
Café de Tavern is well-known for its warm welcome, tasty drinks, and impressive stone facade adorned with ornate carvings. You can watch as your pizza is prepared in the open, live kitchen. Citrus Sangria, a tasty and refreshing cocktail, and Desi Kukadi Bowl, a local cocktail with a spicy kick, are both popular choices
Cold brew coffee, Camels Back waffles, and a four-cheese pizza are just a few of the must-try items on the menu, all of which are named after landmarks and residents of Mussoorie. As a final course, a Swiss roll is highly recommended.
Address: Ground Floor, near Random, The Mall Road
Timings: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Price for two: INR 800
4. Café Young
It's one of the town's newer, livelier cafes, and it has a great vibe, a cozy atmosphere, and friendly staff. The owners are extremely warm and welcoming, and the food, especially the pizza and desserts, is delicious. The café might be hard to find at first, but once you know where to look, you won't have any trouble finding it again.
Their top-level glass cabin is the perfect place to gather with friends, a steaming mug, and an arsenal of stories to tell. The Yoko Sizzler, Lasagna, Fish and Chips, Greek Salad, and Chicken Cheese Nuggets are all must-orders. Wash it all down with a cup of their delicious hot chocolate, which is just the right amount of sweet.
Address: 4, London House, 1st Floor, The Mall, Chamba-Mussoorie Road
Timings: 9:51 a.m.–11 p.m.
Price for two: INR 800
5. Café Ivy
Café Ivy, a favorite among Bollywood stars, is a great place to people-watch from their balcony as the sun goes down in the charming neighborhood of Landour. Lucky Ali, Kailash Kher, Sunil Shetty, Tiger Shroff, and Sunil Gavaskar are just some of the celebrities who have been spotted at this café. Pasta, hot chocolate, waffles, pizza, and coffee are just some of Café Ivy's most well-known offerings. The chicken sausage, mango banana smoothie, and creamy chicken toast are just a few of their must-try items.
Address: Devdar Woods Sisters Bazaar, Landour, Mussoorie
Timings: 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Price for two: INR 1000
6. The Charleville Bookstore & Café
The Charleville Bookstore & Café is a popular bookstore and café located in Mussoorie, a hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, just across the street from the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. The café combines a love of books with a love of good food, with soothing jazz or instrumental music in the background. The Charleville Bookstore & Café is famous for its wide collection of books, where one can buy books and sink into a cozy chair to read them while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Although primarily a bookstore, there's also a great café with burgers and sandwiches right next to it. Pancakes with real maple syrup and a Cuban sandwich, please! Also, their cinnamon coffee and authentic Monte Cristo sandwich are to die for.
Address: Velridge Building, near SBI Bank, LBSNAA, Mussoorie
Timings: 9 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Price for two: INR 600
7. The Mudcup Café
Near the start of Landour, at the end of a charming, narrow lane, is where you'll find the Mudcup Café. The Mudcup Café is a wonderful spot for a cup of coffee or tea thanks to its warm and friendly ambiance and is the perfect place to hang out with friends or family and relax.
White walls with black graffiti art make for a striking exterior at this café. The café's interior is warm and colonial, with a wooden floor and an arched hallway. Their English breakfast, as well as their decadent hot chocolate and velvety veg alfredo pasta, are both excellent.
Address: Clairmount Cantt., Landour
Timings: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Price for two: INR 800
8. Chick Chocolate Café
One of the oldest and most well-known cafes in Mussoorie is the Chick Chocolate Café, which can be found on Mall Road. In the warm weather, patrons can relax outside and enjoy the shop's tasty treats while taking in the picturesque views of Christ Church. Their Irish coffee, rum, and margaritas, in addition to their chocolate fudge, waffles, and ice cream, are fan favorites. When hunger strikes, stop by their café for some walnut pie, apple pie, oreo pie, or one of their woodfire pizzas.
Address: F34H+4FP, The Mall Road
Timings: 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Price for two: INR 800
9. Landour Bakehouse
You might run into author Ruskin Bond at Café Bakehouse, which is located in Landour and is probably the most Instagrammed establishment in all of Mussoorie thanks to its proximity to the author's home. This café, nestled amongst rustling pines and panoramic mountain views, prepares delicious traditional English fare. Customers can sample anything from savory chicken sandwiches to tapas and fruitcakes. They have a delicious lemon pie and excellent homemade biscuits.
Address: Sisters Bazaar, Landour
Timings: 8 a.m.–7:50 p.m.
Price for two: INR 600
10. Anil’s Café
Since it is the most popular place to eat in Char Dukan, Anil's Café is often simply referred to as the Char Dukan Café. The café's famous parathas, waffles, and pancakes have always attracted sightseers and boarding school students. The café also serves an interesting take on Maggi that you shouldn't pass up. The restaurant is also well known for its freshly prepared Wai Wai noodles, which come topped with cheese and eggs. Given how busy the café usually is, you might have to wait a while for your order.
Address: F36W+F37, Chardukhan, Near SBI Bank, Landour
Timings: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Price for two: INR 600
So, if you’re planning a trip to Mussoorie, make sure to check out these cafes and soak up the unique atmosphere of this charming town.