by Mcleodganj, which is just an hour’s drive away from Dharamsala, is one of the best places on Earth. The Dalai Lama himself lives in Mcleodganj and other Buddhist temples are also located in the area.
Unfortunately, though Mcleodganj has become quite popular with tourists, there aren’t a lot of options for restaurants — this isn’t a problem for locals who know where to go.
If you are planning to visit the area, make sure you visit the following places:
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Shangrila Vegetarian Restaurant, Mcleodganj
It’s a bit of a trek to get to Shangrila but it’s worth the trouble, especially if you are vegetarian. The restaurant has been in business for years and the food is still pretty good. You can also try the Tibetan bread and pickles (which taste surprisingly similar to French fries).
To reach this place, follow this direction:
Address: Jogiwara Rd, Mcleodganj, Dharamshals
Timings: 7:00AM – 8:30PM
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Nick’s Italian Kitchen, Mcleodganj
Mcleodganj’s best pizzas and pasta are available at Nick’s Italian Kitchen. This place is ideal for lunch as the pizzas cost just Rs. 500! The restaurant is small but you can sit outside and enjoy the air — and if you like cheap Italian food, this place is perfect.
Address: Bhagsunag Rd, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: 7:30AM – 9:00PM
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Moonpeak, Mcleodganj
Moonpeak, a Tibetan restaurant and guest house, has great views of Dhauladhar range. It also has rooms for overnight visitors. The restaurant is located along the main road in Mcleodganj.
Address: Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: 7:00AM – 9:00PM
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Taste of Tibet, Mcleodganj
Taste of Tibet is another good option if you are looking for vegetarian food and the servings are quite big so be prepared to spend a lot of time eating here! It’s located in the main market area and is easily accessible.
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Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen, Mcleodganj
Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen is another great Italian eatery in Mcleodganj. It’s a small place that has a good ambience and serves decent food but the prices are too high for what you get.
Address: McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: 9:00AM – 10:00 PM
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Green Hotel Restaurant, Mcleodganj
If you have time to spare and want a decent meal, then Green Hotel Restaurant is a great place for you. It’s located close to the main market area and serves great food (particularly if you are hungry after a big breakfast).
Address: McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: 9:00AM – 10:00 PM
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Carpe Diem, Mcleodganj
Carpe Diem is a Tibetan restaurant that serves Tibetan food and Italian food. The ambience is great and the food is pretty good. You can try the spaghetti, pizza and pasta that are served here.
Address: Jogiwara Rd, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: 10:00AM – 10:30PM
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Lung-Ta Japanese Restaurant, Mcleodganj
Lung-Ta is another option if you are looking for good Japanese food — it’s actually rated as the best Japanese restaurant in the area. They have really great sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes.
Address: McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: 12:00PM – 2:30PM, 5:30PM –8:30PM
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Clay Oven, Mcleodganj
If you are looking for Tibetan food, then Clay Oven is one of the best places to go. It serves Tibetan dishes and is located close to the main market area, which means that it’s easily accessible once you get down there.
Address: Tipa Road Near lhasa hotel , Main Square, Distt, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: 9:00AM – 10:00 PM
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KhanaNirvana, Mcleodganj
Located on the main strip, the restaurant has great ambience and serves really good food. They have a big menu with several vegetarian options (like ‘Carrot halwa’ that you should try out).
Address: Temple Rd, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Timings: 10:00AM – 11:00PM
7 Street Foods In Mcleodganj – You Must Try
- Momos
- Bok Choy Soup
- Tibetan Breads
- Thukpa
- KimBap
- Thenthuk
- Yak Cheese Slice
Why is Mcleodganj famous ?
Mcleodganj is an important tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh. This place is popular because of the main attraction – the Dalai Lama, who lives there in exile. Apart from him, this place has several other temples and monasteries that attract tourists. Mcleodganj became a big deal when it was discovered by travelers world over after the Dalai Lama arrived here.
Mcleodganj is also very famous for Tibetan cuisine. The food in this place is quite simple and the use of spices is minimal. A lot of tourists find this type of food to be mouth-watering and have many a time ordered it over there (especially during food festivals).
How to reach Mcleodganj ?
By car: From Chandigarh, take National Highway Nangal road towards Dharamsala.
By bus: From Chandigarh, take a bus to Amritsar and then take a taxi to Mcleodganj. You can also take a bus from Delhi to Dharamsala.
By train: The nearest railway station is Pathankot. From there, you can either hire a taxi or rent a car to reach here. It’s about an hour’s drive from the station (the route is well-managed).
By air: The nearest airport is Palampur. From here, it’s a 40-minute drive to reach Mcleodganj.
In Summary
Mcleodganj is a must-visit spot if you are headed to Himachal Pradesh, especially if you are an outdoorsy traveler and want to experience the mountains. You can also stay here, especially if you are a religious person and want to experience the culture of this place.
Mcleodganj is a great place and is definitely worth your time. It’s a small town that offers great sights, nice food and beautiful views.
