India’s First Igloo Cafe Comes Up In Gulmarg And We Can’t Wait To Have Coffee Here

by Sanjana Shenoy
India’s First Igloo Cafe Comes Up In Gulmarg And We Can’t Wait To Have Coffee Here

Experiencing snowfall, building a snowman and staying in an igloo, are 3 things that have made to most of our bucket lists. Now, to fulfil your bucket lists you don’t have to go all the way to Switzerland. Just head north to Gulmarg in Kashmir. Gulmarg now houses India’s first and Asia’s biggest Igloo Cafe. Nestle in this igloo cafe like an eskimo and enjoy a cup of hot coffee and chicken tikka. Here’s what you must brace yourself for.

igloo cafe gulmarg
Picture Credits: AFP

Igloo Cafe In Gulmarg Gives People One More Reason To Visit The Valley

Kolahoi Green Group of Hotels and Resorts has set up India’s first Igloo Cafe. Spanning 22 feet wide and 12.5 feet high from the inside, this igloo can welcome 16 people at a time for lunch, dinner or tea. Infact, the owner claims that this igloo can enter the Limca Book of Records for being Asia’s biggest igloo. According to Deccan Chronicle, hotelier Waseem Shah built this igloo to create a new experience for both tourists and locals in Gulmarg

Also Read: Gulmarg To Promote Adventure Tourism By Introducing Skiing Courses

igloo cafe gulmarg
Picture Credits: AFP

The concept of igloo cafes has been in Finland, Canada and Switzerland since time immemorial. But in India, it’s still novel. Waseem Shah first got this idea of building an igloo cafe, when he built one at his home in Srinagar. On witnessing the excitement around it, he decided to build an igloo cafe outside his hotel in Gulmarg. He stated to India Today, “It took us around 15 days to build this Igloo and we used around 300 days in terms of the labour. The tables and the benches are all made of ice. We are using some seating for comfort also. It has now come up nicely and we are ready to serve our guests in the Igloo. It is going to be an experience in itself.”

Also Read: Manali Welcomes Tourists For A Cosy Igloo Stay Amid Pandemic

igloo cafe gulmarg
Picture Credits: AFP

Traditional Kashmiri Decor, Hot Beverages & Delicious Food Attract People Here

The igloo cafe has traditional decor. Each snow slab has a sheepskin rug on it to ensure the comfort of guests. There are also small side tables made of snow to hold the accent lighting, Kashmiri artwork and hand-engraved Kashmiri copper Samovar placed inside.

Also Read: PM Modi Urges Indians To Buy Kashmiri Saffron & Make It Popular Globally

igloo cafe gulmarg
Picture Credits: Kashmir Observer

Waseem Shah threw more light on the menu to Deccan Chronicle. He revealed “We have kept a small igloo menu which includes serving the guest with a welcome hot drink like kehwa and appetizers including chicken of mutton tikka to be followed by such a formal vegetarian or non-vegetarian meal that we can serve quickly. A guest can stay inside the café for about one hour or till he or she can put up with the cold.” Now that you know about this igloo cafe, visit Gulmarg to make all your snow-capped dreams, a reality. That was about the igloo cafe, Inda’s first igloo hotel is situated in Manali, check it out below.