The Cafes I Loved in Rishikesh

By the Ganges and with a vibrant mix of backpackers, yoga practitioners and spiritual seekers, the holy town of Rishikesh is a blend of many things and people. It gained popularity when the Beatles band stayed here and has been attracting hippie crowd ever since. Its crowning as the yoga capital of the world has further made it popular on the tourism map. With people from world over frolicking to this holy place, Rishikesh has over the years witnessed a surge in the number of restaurants and cafes to cater to the requirements of the travellers. From South Indian to Chinese to Continental, there is no dearth of options to satiate your hunger. However, almost all the restaurants serve vegetarian cuisine with a few of them serving eggs. Meat and alcohol aren’t served anywhere across the town. Though Rishikesh doesn't boast of a cafe culture like in Mcleodganj, it definitely has some awesome places to eat.

Here is a list of cafes and restaurants in Rishikesh that I loved.

Little Buddha Café:

Situated across Lakhman Jhula and facing the Ganges, Little Buddha Café is the most popular café in Rishikesh and is a favourite with travellers. The place mostly serves continental fare, has a lovely ambience, free wifi and plays nice music. It is on the first floor and offers lovely views of river Ganga.

Chatsang:

Located opposite Little Buddha café, Chatsang has lovely interiors with art work splashed on its walls. The menu has some innovative dishes which are blend of Indian and continental fare. The cut fruits bowl with honey is delicious and so are their smoothies. This is an ideal place to read a book as you enjoy the food.

Ganga Beach café:

Nestled by the Ganges and next to Lakhshman Jhula, the café has a nice terrace area and the views from here are magnificent. The menu is mostly continental cuisine and their lassis are well recommended. This is an ideal place to see the Ganga flow nonchalantly as you relish some crepes and sandwiches.

Tattv Café:

Located near Tapovan, and away from the crowds, Tattv Café has both indoor and outdoor seating. They serve a wide range of continental dishes and their desserts such as brownies and chocolate balls are absolutely a must try.

Café Moksh:

Cross Lakshman Jhula and take the left that leads you on the less crowded road to Café Moksh. This is a great place to enjoy some jamming sessions with delicious continental food. Its low floor seating and lighting adds to the charm of the place.

Chotiwala:

Chotiwala is one of the most popular restaurants in Rishikesh and is located in Swargashram near Ram Jhula . Though they are known for their North Indian cuisine, they also serve South Indian and Continental fare. This is a fine dine place and has been functional since late 1950’s. Their paranthas and lassi are a must try.

Madras Café:

It predominantly served South Indian cuisine when it opened in 1960’s and was the first choice for idlis, dosas and filter coffee in those days. Though the menu has changed over the years with North Indian and continental cuisine being added, Madras Café is still the best bet to have some crispy dosas and coffee in Rishikesh. It is located near Ram Jhula.

Apart from these, Rishikesh has quite a few popular and well recommended places to eat such as Beatles café, Freedom café, Ramana’s Organic café, German Bakery, Bistro Nirvana etc.

A Food Trail through Amritsar

As much as it is well known for its culture, music and bhangra, Punjabi cuisine too is popular world over. The holy land of Amritsar is undoubtedly the best place to dip into the delicious Punjabi flavours. A walk through its colourful and vibrant streets would take you to some of the best restaurants, dhabas and lassi shops which are nestled amidst the bazaars. From kulcha to lassi to jalebi to amritsari fish, the city is a gastronomical delight, making it tough for the food lovers to choose from a wide range of dishes offered at the numerous eateries in the city. It is not without a reason that Amritsar is often referred as the food capital of Punjab. Here is a list of must visit places in Amritsar to satiate the taste buds of the ever hungry souls.

Kulwant Singh Kulchian Wale:

Located on a narrow street near the Golden temple, the place offers one of the best Kulchas (flat bread) in the city. With a huge dollop of butter and chole (white chickpeas) to go with it, the Kulchas are absolutely mouth watering. An ideal place for breakfast and lunch, they offer a range of Kulchas such as Alu Kulcha, Gobi Kulcha, Paneer Kulcha and a few more.

Gurdasram Jalebiwala:

Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, a visit to the Gurdasram Jalebiwala would be a sheer delight. While jalebis are crispy, the gulab jamuns are yum and are sure to leave you with a sweet tooth if you don’t have one as yet. Made from pure ghee, these are the only two dishes that are prepared at this popular sweet shop.  This is located near Jallianwala bagh and Golden temple.

Kesar Da Dhaba:

When you are extremely hungry after strolling through the lanes and attractions of Amritsar, do head to Kesar Da Dhaba. Located in the old part of the city, the dhaba is quite a popular place and has been running for more than 100 years. Do not underestimate the place due to its location in a narrow alley. Kesar Da Dhaba serves awesome vegetarian fare and is known for its rich delicious thalis and desserts.

Gian Di Lassi:

This iconic place located near Hathi gate offers one of the best Lassis (sweet yogurt) in Amritsar. A sweet drink, Lassi can be had anytime during the day and most people in Amritsar begin their day with a glass of Lassi. Gian Di Lassi offers large glasses of Lassi topped with sufficient amount of malai (cream). One has to literally scoop and have the lassi rather than drink it.

Brothers Dhaba:

Quite a popular place on GT Road and not far from Golden temple, Brothers Dhaba serves a variety of North Indian dishes apart from South Indian cuisine.  Though the restaurant is popular for Sarson ka Saag and Makke di Roti, their Kulchas, Bhaturas and Paranthas are also well recommended.  

Beera Chicken House:

For meat lovers, Beera Chicken house on Majitha road is the place to relish some chicken dishes. The place is a favourite with chicken lovers and their specialties such as Tandoori chicken, and Roasted chicken are lip smacking delicious. These can be had with Nans or as an entrée. The fish fry too is well recommended.

A-One Kulfa:

While we have all heard and had Kulfi, Kulfa is a dessert which you might not have got your hands on if you haven’t been to Amritsar. A blend of Rabri, Falooda, Kulfi, Phirni, cream and lot more, Kulfa is a delightful mix of many desserts. A-One Kulfa, a small store on Queens’s road call themselves an expert in Kulfa and they are undoubtedly right. The dessert is delicious and quite filling that one could easily have a plate or two as a meal.

Giani Tea Stall:

Fairly big for a tea stall, the place is popular for its tea, masala tea and pakoras. They definitely serve one of the best masala chai in Amritsar. Located on Cooper road, the stall has been functional for more than 60 years.

Guru Ka Langar:

When in Amritsar it is recommended to have langar at least once at the Golden temple. Free food is provided to everyone throughout the day which are prepared and served by volunteers. Though it is a simple one with roti, dal and a sweet, the meal is unlimited and is followed by a glass of tea. The experience of having a meal from the world’s largest free kitchen is definitely a memorable one.

Amritsar does have quite a lot of eateries and few more of the popular ones are Kanha sweets, Makhan da Dhaba and Ahuja’s milk bhandar.

8 Must Visit Cafes in Mcleodganj

McLeodganj also referred as Little Lhasa or Upper Dharamshala exudes the vibrancy of a hippie land with its mix of travellers, Buddhist monks, adventure lovers and numerous cafes. Being a popular backpacking destination, Mcleodganj has a variety of cafes and cuisines on offer.  From Continental to South Indian to Tibetan, all cuisines are available across this Buddhist mountain town.

1. The Clay Oven

Situated in the main square, The Clay Oven serves delicious fried dumplings. While the interiors of the cafe are well done and cosy, the outdoor seating area too is nice. It’s an ideal place to sip hot tea, relish cakes and see the world go by.

2. Tibet Kitchen

Though there are numerous Tibetan restaurants in Mcleodganj, Tibet Kitchen is undoubtedly the best place to have authentic Tibetan cuisine. Situated near the main square, this restaurant is known for its momos, thukpas, thenthuks  and other Tibetan delicacies.

3. Namgyal Café

Namgyal Café is probably one of the best places to relish wood fried pizzas in this hill town. They also serve delicious tofu curry with rice, sandwiches and pastas. The colourful café is within Om Hotel on Nowrojee road and is a bit difficult to locate.

4. Illiterati Books and Café

Apart from delicious continental fare, this café offers a wide range of books and amazing views of the surrounding mountains. The café is tucked away from the hustle bustle of Mcleodganj on one end of Jogiwara road. Owned by a Belgian couple, the café is quite popular and is ideal for a lazy brunch.

5. Jimmy’s Bakery and Café

Known for their pizzas, pastas, waffles and pancakes, Jimmy’s Bakery and Café is located at the start of Dharamkot road. Apart from their lip smacking Italian cuisines, their brownie with ice cream sunday is absolutely delicious and quite filling.

6. Tibet Quality Bakery

This nice little shop on Jogiwara road near the post office offers lovely desserts such as Tibetan nut bars, yak muffins, chocolate balls, rum balls and yak rolls. They are reasonably priced and an ideal take away place in Mcleodganj.

7. The Chocolate Log

Located along the Jogiwara road, this confectionary and coffee shop is well known for its chocolate spreads as the name suggests. The quiet place is run by a couple and has a beautiful setting which serves delicious chocolate cakes, brownies and hot chocolate, apart from some nice continental fare.

8. Morgan’s Place

Located in Dharamkot, Morgan’s Place is a couple of kilometers from Mcleodganj and a short walk away. The place serves the most scrumptious thin crust pizzas in Dharamkot and also offers lovely views of the surrounding mountains. Their lasagnas are also well recommended.

Woeser bakery, Nick’s Italian Kitchen and Crepe Pancake Hut are some of the other popular cafes in Mcleodganj. Street food is also easily available along the narrow alleyways of this town.

Places to Visit and Things to Experience along Malvan coast

Nestled in the southern strip of Maharashtra, Malvan coast is known for its long sandy beaches, glorious sea forts, numerous water sport activities and the delicious Malvani cuisine. The narrow roads of Malvan lined with tall swaying trees, laidback air and small houses on either side portray the perfect picture of a typical coastal town.  Beyond the trees, the powdery sands welcome you to the numerous beaches along this shoreline. While in Malvan, stroll around, take a boat ride, go scuba diving, visit the forts and head back to the aroma of Malvani cuisine wafting from the nearby restaurant. Spread over long stretches, Malvan coast does have quite a few beautiful beaches and prominent forts to explore.

Sindhudurg fort

This mid 17^th century fort seems like a huge ship bobbing in the waters when seen from the Malvan beach. Built on Kurte island by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to counter the attacks from European colonizers and Siddhis of Janjira, Sindhudurg fort is undoubtedly the symbol of the glorious Maratha empire. Spread over 48 acres, the tall fortifications and the strong bastions of this majestic fort houses three temples and is home to 18 families who are believed to be the descendants of the Maratha warriors. A walk around the ramparts of its outer walls offer magnificent views of the blue sea and the waves thrashing onto the walls. Near the entrance of the fort are the imprints of the hands and feet of Shivaji Mharaj preserved in dry lime. There are boats that drop you to Sindhudurg at frequent intervals from Malvan beach and they give you an hour to explore the fort.

Rock garden

Rock garden is probably the most sought after place in Malvan to enjoy the setting sun. This neatly maintained garden offers the evening walkers an ideal place to stroll. However, what brings people here are an array of rocks that extend into the sea beyond the garden. It is an ideal place to catch gorgeous sunsets and enjoy the waters thrashing onto the flat bed of rocks. Perch on top of any protruding rock and watch the sky change colours as the sun goes down.

Chiwla beach

Despite the commercialization, the most popular beach in Malvan has held on to its charm. The long arc shaped beach with coconut trees in the backdrop, a few colourful fishing boats and the azure sea encapsulates its visitors and is well recommended for an early morning stroll.

Kolamb beach

Located a couple of kilometers away from Malvan, Kolamb beach is away from the highlights of Malvan. Apart from the local fishermen, a few bobbing boats and kids playing around, you are highly unlikely to see any visitors. The waves are pretty strong here and there is a sudden slope in the sands as you wade into the waters. The rocky outcrops to the right of the beach offer a beautiful frame against the blue sea.

Sarjekot fort and Talashil beach

Past a few villages and numerous mango orchards, the narrow road leads to the crumbled Sarjekot fort where all that remains are a few stone walls. Totally in ruins, this can hardly be called a fort anymore. However, a walk through the insides of the fort leads to the mouth of Gad river where it joins the Arabian sea. Apart from the Sarjekot jetty and the colourful boats, the fort offers nice views of the serene Talashil beach across the river.

Wayari beach

As you ride down the narrow road that leads to Tarkarli, Wayari beach pops up without a cue.  Also referred as Wayari Bhootnath beach, it isn’t quite a popular one and that keeps it away from the crowds. All that you can spot here are boats shored up, locals strolling around or a game of beach cricket.

Tarkarli

Tarakarli has over the years gained popularity on the tourist map and receives hordes of visitors during holidays and weekends. The beach here was once considered the most serene on the Malvan coast. The beach now is quite commercialized and offers numerous water sport activities for the visitors. Tarkarli is also a popular scuba diving location and is also home to the only marine sanctuary in Maharashtra.

Devbag beach

Further south of Tarkarli, the winding narrow road goes past numerous fishing hamlets and Karli river to Devbag beach. The narrow strip of land ends at this beach known for its heap of white sands and beautiful sunsets. The Karli river joins the sea here and across the river is the secluded Bhogwe beach. Very few visitors head to this beach and that makes it an ideal place for people who love leisurely walks and solitude moments.

Vijaydurg fort

A two hour drive to the north of Malvan takes you to the prominent Vijaydurg fort. Built in the 12^th century during the times of Shilahar dynasty, this impregnable fort was referred as the Eastern Gibralter. The fort was later fortified further by Chatrapati Shivaji who built the tall walls and numerous bastions. The ramparts of the fort offer majestic vistas of Vijaydurg beach, the blue sea and the waves crashing onto the strong walls. The fort houses four fresh water wells, banyan trees, temples and ammunition rooms apart from cannons and cannon balls.

Devgad fort and beach

Devgad is primarily known for its innumerable mango orchards and are lined with shops selling the king the fruits during the months of summer. Also popular is the Devgad fort which presently constitutes of just the outer walls. A climb up the walls offers panoramic views of the sea. The fort also houses a temple and a 20^th century light house. Located en-route the fort is the pristine cove shaped Devgad beach flanked by casuarinas and windmills.

Taramumbari beach

Located near Devgad, Tara Mumbri is a beautiful beach tucked away from the crowds. The rocky beach is known for the presence of phosphorescence which is visible as the sun sets. Numerous windmills can be spotted on the hills in the backdrop. The beach is situated at the mouth of a river with Mithmumbari beach across it.

Kunkeshwar

This coastal town is known for its popular Shiva temple that attracts numerous devotees during the festivities of Shivaratri. The temple with its colourfully painted tower is located by the beach atop a small cliff. Despite being a neat and serene one, the beach doesn’t get many visitors as even the pilgrims don’t seem quite keen on getting into its waters. That definitely makes a big reason to head to this idyllic hamlet.

Beaches of Tondivali, Munge and Talbegad

The stretch between Malvan and Kunkeshwar is home to some of the most serene beaches along this coast. Tondivali beach has a long sandy stretch with casuarinas in its background. All that you might spot here are a few fishing boats on the shore. Munge beach has a beautiful backwater near it which accentuates the charm of the place. Talbegad beach is probably the prettiest of the lot with an endless stretch of sand and swaying trees in the backdrop.

Water Sports

The beach at Malvan offers numerous water sport activities such as parasailing, banana rides, jet ski rides etc. There are numerous operators who conduct these near the Malvan beach. While Tarkarli is popular for its scuba diving locations, Malvan too offers something similar near Sindhudurg fort. Though the operators claim this to be scuba diving, they take you to a depth of only 15 feet and the prices are alarmingly much lesser than what it is at Trakarli, which offers actual scuba diving. However, if you wish to just have a glimpse of the underwater world, the one at Malvan is a good option.

Malvani cuisine

After clambering over forts, strolls on the beaches and water sports, all that you would want is some delicious food to relish. The delectable Malvani cuisine is easily available across the small restaurants in and around the beach and on the roads that lead to it. Thalis are available with various fish combos such as seer fish, king fish, pomfret, butter fish etc. A popular Malvani dish is Kombdi Vade which has Vade (made of rice flour and lentils), chicken curry and solkhadi. Though more of a Konkani dish, Ghavne which is similar to a Neer dosa is a delicious pick for breakfast.

Mangoes of Devgad

While returning from Malvan, take home a box of ripe Alphonso mangoes. Locally known as Hapus, they are widely available across the shops in Devgad and by the road side too. Mangoes are usually available only during the months from March to July.

Location:

Malvan is located in the southern coast of Maharashtra, very close to Goa border. The closest airport is at Dabolim (128 Kms) and the nearest rail head is in Sindhudurg (28 Kms). There are frequent buses from Malvan to other towns such as Sindhudurg, Kudal, Sawantwadi etc.