Longing for a soul-satiating trip to the lap of the Himalayas? If you happen to be a hardcore mountain lover, you might have already planned one. Speaking about the hill stations, it’s not only the scenic beauty that captivates us. Gorging on some comfort food inside a cafe right on the heart of the rugged terrains also seems magical. Relatable? Here are 7 cosy Himalayan cafes that you must visit when its safe to travel to enjoy your meal with a mesmerizing view.

1. Gulshan Books Cafe, Kashmir

Gulshan Books is a pretty book cafe tucked away in the middle of Srinagar’s serene Dal Lake that has more than 80,000 books across diverse genres which took it to the Limca Book Of Records 2018. Ringed by the stunning mountains, this bookstore-cum-cafe is the first-of-its-kind in Srinagar, that can be reached only by taking a Shikara. With wooden bookshelves, quaint Kashmiri furnishings and marvellous floorings, the decor of this porch-style cafe will leave you utterly spellbound. The cafe spells out some soul-quenching coffee varieties, delish snacks and exotic shakes. If you have got a sweet tooth, you should definitely try the Chocochip Cookies out here. What’s more, the place also offers free Wi-fi services.

2. Lal Tibba Binocular And Cafe, Mussorie

The mind-blowing view of the mountains from Lal Tibba can leave anybody spellbound. People start visiting this cafe atop Mussorie since early morning. The cafe has an indoor and open roof sitting arrangement which is mostly covered with snow. You might just get the feeling of being inside an ice age movie. They have installed a binocular on the rooftop so that travellers can take a closer look of the Red Sunrise (that’s why the name Laal Tibba).

3. Rinchen Cafeteria, Ladakh

Did you know that the highest cafeteria in the world is in India’s Ladakh? And it definitely deserves a visit after all this is over. Perched at an elevation of 18,380 feet at Khardung la, Ladakh, this quaint cafe is unlike any other. Wearing those warm jackets and relishing Maggi while eyeing upon the snow-capped Himalayas is a different feeling altogether. A few tables, chairs, prayer flags, curtains and lamps, define its humble, heart-warming interiors. Also, there’s also a small souvenir shop, along with a temple near the café.

Also Read: Darjeeling Has The Most Beautiful Cafes That Offer Music, Food And Books!

4. Shiva Cafe, McLeodGanj

This hut-shaped cafe in McLeodGanj overlooks a pool and has the magnificent Bhagsu Nag Fall in its proximity. The tranquil aura of the place, which soothing music playing in the background, will take you by a trance for sure. The food joint is famous for Tibetian dishes, pizzas and pancakes.

The interiors of the cafe are decked with many intriguing paintings. The outer walls feature graffiti of Lord Shiva, Lord Buddha and more. Tourists visiting here go hiking in the nearby mountains too.

5.The Jungle Bar, Gangtok

This pretty cafe-cum-bar in Sikkim will let you sip your favourite beer by the mountains, along with some lip-smacking tandoori dishes. The wooden interiors will let you experience Sikkim in its raw form.

The cafe serves a wide array of dishes across diverse cuisines like Mexican, Italian, Continental, Chinese and North Indian.

6. Bistro Nirvana, Rishikesh

If there’s one cafe right out of the fairytales, it is Bistro Nirvana in Rishikesh. There’s something magical about the ambience of this place. The quirky open-air space, the chalkboards, the wooden interiors, the pretty cushions, the surrounding tree trunks, everything about the place seems to tell a beautiful story. The cafe has already opened up with social distancing measures.

7. Cafe 1947, Manali

Manali is every mountain enthusiast’s paradise. And a comfort food with its marvellous mountains in the backdrop is like a treat from heaven. Cafe 1947 is one of the iconic cafes of Manali where you can sit with a hot chocolate or a sparkling wine and soothe your eyes with the picturesque view of the Himalayas. It offers some amazing desserts too, like Blueberry Cheesecake with Icecream and Classic Tiramisu.

Also Read: Run To These Budget Hostels In Himachal And Live In The Mountains Under ₹699

We can already see the spark in your eyes! So keep your plans ready, and once all the travel bans are lifted, just flee away. Meanwhile, here are 10 snowy hill stations to visit in North India: