When someone mentions Darjeeling, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Is the eye-soothing greenery of the tea estates or the majestic views of the snow-capped Kanchenjungha? If you are a foodie like me, Darjeeling for you will be synonymous with yummy thukpas, juicy momos, and refreshing Darjeeling tea. And since you seek a toothsome experience, you must dine at the best restaurants in Darjeeling.
Wondering which ones are the top restaurants in the heart of the enchanting city? Where will you get the finest quality of Darjeeling tea? Which restaurant serves the most sumptuous English breakfast? Here’s your guide to having a delightful vacay in the Queen of Hills.
A nostalgist’s recommendations on the best restaurants in Darjeeling
My love affair with Darjeeling began in 2007. Since then, being reunited with this distant paramour at least twice a year has become a habit. The hill town has everything a nature lover needs to have a rejuvenating vacation.
But being a food enthusiast, my trips are incomplete without memorable dining experiences. It involves spending hours pondering on what to savor and where to eat.
After exploring everything from crowded street food joints to high-end restaurants Darjeeling, I have finally found some places that serve the most soul-satisfying food. So, when you are ravenous after visiting monasteries and other touristy places, which restaurants in Darjeeling should you dine at?
Glenary’s
Glenary’s is one of the restaurants in Darjeeling which preserves the old-world charm of India from a century ago. This white colonial building is something your eyes cannot miss. I never fail to be here no matter how short my trip is. Situated at a stone’s throw distance from Darjeeling Mall, its rich history is bound to attract you.
The café and bakery are situated on the ground floor, while Glenary’s Restaurant is on the first floor. As you enter the cafe, you will be transported to the bygone era.
I vividly remember how awe-struck I was when I first stepped into the restaurant in 2017. The open terrace, the smell of baked snacks, and floral decorations make this a lovely place to enjoy your breakfast.
The basement of Glenary’s features the Buzz Bar with a modern pub. The seating area is so well-decorated and lively that you won’t feel like bidding adieu to the place.
As far as the multicuisine restaurant is concerned, its uniqueness lies in its Victorian-style architecture. It also has an outdoor setting from where you can sip hot coffee and gaze at the mesmerizing Kanchenjungha.
Why is a trip to Darjeeling incomplete without exploring Glenary’s?
I can give you an exhaustive list of reasons to keep returning to Glenary’s. The live music, the beautiful décor, the scenic views, and the palatable non-vegetarian continental food are only a few of them.
The dreamy entrance has become famous on Instagram and you have to click a picture for your gram. Live music in the evening adds to the grandeur of the restaurant.
What to eat
The breakfast menu at Glenary’s Bakery and Café has everything from burgers to pizzas to pies. There’s a bar with an exquisite collection of foreign and Indian liquors.
Glenary’s serves a plethora of Indian, Continental, Italian, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Non-vegetarian dishes. However, their specialty is in Tandoor, Chinese, and Continental delights.
Pork Steak, Roasted Chicken, Beef Steak, Grilled Chicken, and Pork Roast are the mouth-watering dishes I recommend.
Location
Nehru Road, Near Chowk Tower, Chowk Bazaar, Darjeeling- 734101.
Timings
9:00 am to 9:30 pm
Keventer’s
Keventer’s is among the heritage restaurants in Darjeeling and has been satiating the tastebuds of people since 1991. This café is all about serene views of the Kanchenjungha and locally sourced, freshly baked food prepared with love.
It is a two-storey building, with outdoor and indoor seating on the top floor. The ground floor comprises the takeaway centre where you’ll find rare edibles like chicken and fish pickles.
Why should you visit?
Other than its fresh sausages and sandwiches, Keventer’s has served a lot of legends like Satyajit Ray, Anurag Basu, and Ranvir Kapoor. This café’s rooftop section is where Ileana D’ Cruz was relishing her breakfast when Barfi came searching for her.
When to visit?
Keventer’s opens at 9:00 am and you must go early as space is a constraint. The best time to visit is in the morning as the chances of getting clear skies are higher.
What to order
The perfect way to start your lazy days in Darjeeling is by relishing a warm English breakfast and aromatic Darjeeling tea. And what better place to do that than at Keventers which offers mesmerizing views of the mighty Kanchenjungha?
Their egg toast, pork salamis, and hot chocolate are some of my favorites. There is a plethora of options for chicken and pork lovers.
Location
Shop No. 1, Club Side, Nehru Road, Darjeeling- 734101
Timings
8:00 am- 6:30 pm
Café House
Darjeeling has its own version of the iconic Coffee House of Kolkata. Nestled amongst misty mountains, Café House will offer you an experience of a lifetime with its mouth-watering snacks and home-brewed coffee. It is one of the newly opened Darjeeling restaurants, but can compete with the famed ones.
Reasons to visit Café House
I stumbled upon Café House while watching a spectacular sunrise from the Observatory Hill View Point. And now it has secured a permanent place in my heart with its quirky décor, amazing collection of books, and interesting menu. Want more reasons to check this place out?
None of the restaurants in Darjeeling can offer you a better panoramic view of the sky-kissing Himalayan peaks. You can spend quality time with friends while enjoying fried stuff at Café House and watching magnificent sunsets.
Must-try items
The first thing that you must do when in Café House is relax, rejuvenate, and refresh yourself with a big cup of coffee. The Chocolate Cappuccino or Café Latte with their Cookie’s Platter is what I prefer.
White sauce pasta, kit-kat shake, Basa fish cutlet, crispy cheese potato, and grilled chicken sandwich are some of the dishes I tasted and loved.
Location
15, Hermitage Road, near Raj Bhavan Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
Timings
7:00 am- 8:00 pm
Kunga Restaurant
Run by an amiable family of locals, Kunga is one of the must-visit restaurants in Darjeeling. The place is neither big nor lavish, but its food will leave you craving for more. The food is not just edible but comes in sufficient quantity.
The small eatery has a cozy ambience adorned with Buddhist motifs and Tibetan scrolls. You will get the most authentic preparations of local dishes here and welcoming hosts.
What to order
As foreigners frequent this restaurant, it serves a variety of Tibetan and Chinese delights. And when I’m in Darjeeling, thukpa is my comfort food. Luckily, Kunga’s Tibetan delicacies, soups, and steamed momos are legendary. This is where I had the best gyathuk and Tibetan meat pies of my life. If you are a pork lover, their pork items taste heavenly.
Location
51, Gandhi Road, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, West Bengal- 734101
Timings
10:30 am- 6:00 pm
Ara By Bellevue
There is a limited number of gastropub-style restaurants in Darjeeling, and Ara by Bellevue is one of them. Run and owned by the Pulgers, it is an awesome place situated in the heart of Darjeeling Mall.
The courteous staff, wooden floors, and great ambience will instantly make you feel at home here. You will gladly spend hours here exchanging stories with strangers from different parts of the world.
Reasons to visit
What I liked the most about Ara By Bellevue is their reasonable pricing of food in terms of quantity and quality. Live music to soothe your senses is a bonus of dining here. Young people throng this place and you’ll have unlimited fun dancing with them.
Must-have dishes
The restaurant has an elaborate menu where you will find a lot of Chinese, North Indian, and Continental options.
It is one of those few restaurants where you will get plenty of vegan and vegetarian dishes on the menu. You can also choose from a range of mocktails, cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages to complement your meal.
Location
Nehru Road, Mall Road, Chowrasta, Darjeeling- 734101
Timings
12:00 pm- 10:00 pm
Darjeeling House
Exhausted after long walks and a shopping spree at Mahakal Market and Mall Market? You can head straight to Darjeeling House in Chauk Bazaar. Set in Ramada Darjeeling, minimalist interior and yummy food are what define Darjeeling House.
Why should you visit?
Darjeeling House is the only restaurant where you’ll get savory Mediterranean food. I often find myself here as it is among the Darjeeling restaurants close to the Mall. The ambience of the place makes it ideal for people traveling to Darjeeling with kids.
What to Eat
Darjeeling House is a multi-cuisine restaurant that excels in Asian, North Indian, Mediterranean, and European flavors. The buffet breakfast spread is extravagant with its croissants, morning buns, buttery and flakey English tea cakes, and cinnamon coffee cakes.
When I think of Darjeeling House, I feel tempted to relish their flavorful and soft Poached Fish again. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll fall in love with their chocolate waffles. They serve it with vanilla ice cream, Irish Cream Espresso, and strawberry jelly.
Location
2-3 Aukland Villa, Gandhi Road, Chauk Bazaar
Timings
8:00 am- 10:00 pm
Tom and Jerry’s
Darjeeling has several hidden gems and Tom and Jerry’s is such a place. It is among those restaurants in Darjeeling where you will make memories you can cherish for a lifetime.
It’s a small establishment that most tourists don’t know about. And that’s what preserves its originality and makes it worth visiting.
What to Eat
Here you’ll find a lot of yummy Vegan and Vegetarian options to recharge yourself during your trip. It is one of my go-to places in Darjeeling to relish a satiating breakfast. Their pancakes with banana and honey, Blue Tea, freshly prepared burgers, and omelet toast are extremely satisfying.
Location
Dr. Zakir Hussain Road, close to Sp Bungalow, West Bengal- 734101
The Junction
Looking for vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Darjeeling to eat a variety of cuisines? The Junction promises a fine dining experience at an affordable price.
Decently priced food, good portions, and appetizing meals are three reasons to visit The Junction. It is a spacious restaurant with comfortable seating and sophisticated décor.
What to try
I have eaten at The Junctions on multiple occasions, especially during my stay at the Summit Hotel. They serve Indian, International, Asian, Chinese, and Fast Food. I tried a lot of dishes from the a-la-carte menu like chili garlic noodles, pan-fried noodles, and crispy potatoes.
Location
H.D Lama Road Daroga Bazaar, located at walking distance from Darjeeling’s Chowrasta
Parting Thoughts
Today’s Darjeeling boasts of KFC and CCD, but the beauty and ambience of Darjeeling best restaurants like Keventer’s and Glenary’s are unparallel.
For me, there is no greater peace than finding a quiet spot in an open-air restaurant and lazing around. Hogging on sausages and poached eggs is more fun when the warm sun and the crisp air caress you.
Frequently Asked Questions on Restaurants in Darjeeling
1. What is the famous noodles from Darjeeling?
The famous noodle soup of Darjeeling is thukpa. You will find it in the leading restaurants as well as the roadside stalls. It’s a warm noodle soup that has lots of veggies, chicken, minimum spices, and noodles.
2. What is Darjeeling famous food?
Being a hill station, the famous food available at the best restaurants Darjeeling includes traditional Nepali and Tibetan dishes. The Lepchas, Sherpas, and Khampas residing there eat Chaang, Sael Rotis, Nepali Thali, Thukpa, Shaphalay, and Momos.
3. How much does food cost in Darjeeling?
How much you pay per meal depends on where and what you eat in Darjeeling. Food expenses at the popular Darjeeling restaurants will be between Rs 1000- 2000 per person. If you eat local food, you won’t be paying more than Rs 500 a day. Thalis at street food joints can be as cheap as Rs. 100.
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