Best Restaurant in Shimla
Are you a foodie and looking for the Best Places to Eat in Shimla Mall Road? Then you need to read this before you plan your holiday to this enchanting hill station. Located in the hills of Himachal Pradesh and gateway to the Manali-Leh-Ladakh, this hill station was once the Summer capital of India during the British Raj.
Built by the British, Shimla has a mix of colonial and Pahadi culture. And the food in the city is also a blend of these influences, leading to a mix of world cuisine available across cafes, hole-in-the-wall eateries, elegant fine dining restaurants and happening pubs & breweries perfect for a night out. Right from the architecture to the food to the culture of Shimla, everything boasts of its rich heritage.
Here are some of the iconic places and Best Places to Eat in Shimla that you must visit when in Shimla, especially if you are a food aficionado.
Cafe Simla Times
All day Dining Terrace Cafe and Bar. With a casual, warm and friendly ambience, this is the perfect place to just chill when in Shimla. Enjoy the stone oven-fired pizzas, world cuisine platters, thick shakes, freshly brewed beer and soak in the magnificent views of the hills all around and Shimla's top attractions. Watching the sunset from here while listening to Shimla's top live bands is a treat.
The cafe has been rated as one of Himachal's most Instagrammable spots, and with the vintage car outside and ceiling adorned with art depicting Shimla's legendary heritage, this is a must-visit cafe. The cafe gets its name from Shimla's first ever publication - The Simla Times - and the menu is a blend of Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai, Lebanese and Mexican
Shimla's first Gelato & Dessert Cafe
Step into Shimla’s first gelato and dessert café designed like a vintage train — inspired by the UNESCO World Heritage Kalka–Shimla Railway. Tucked into the heart of Mall Road, Beyond Gelato isn’t just a café — it’s a must-visit dessert destination. Designed like a train bogie with retro-inspired aesthetics, this one-of-a-kind kiosk serves up a curated menu of authentic gelato, handcrafted desserts, signature sundaes, and speciality coffee — all layered with Instagram-worthy indulgence.
Whether you’re a tourist exploring Shimla’s charm or a local on a dessert trail, this is your next sweet escape. From Brownie Bombshells to Tropical Mango Madness, our sundaes combine layered gelato, sauces, toppings, and texture in every bite. Think dessert meets theatre served in scoop-sized joy.
Crafted for indulgence, our desserts include cheesecakes, warm brownies, puddings, and more — each one perfect for a post-meal treat or evening date. We’re Shimla’s first café serving 100% Arabica, single estate coffee — blended into layered frappes, hot cappuccinos, cold brews, and boozy shakes. Come for the gelato. Stay for the experience. Your ticket to Shimla’s sweetest ride is waiting.
Skybar Cocktails and Shisha:
When in the hills, you can't miss a rooftop restaurant and bar with a breathtaking view. And Skybar is just the place! The beautiful bar perched atop a hill for adults only is ideal for a romantic date. The only Rooftop restaurant in Shimla, serving herbal hookah and hot wintry cocktails - it's the ideal place for drinks and dinner under the stars.
Try the spiked milkshakes and hot mountain special cocktails if you are feeling adventurous, or else stick to the classic cocktails and sip away to views of the city that will definitely make your jaw drop.
Visit this bar in Shimla for the magic hour and sip the sunset special or after dark - it is a different scene from hour to hour thanks to the fading sun's light and the flickering cityscape. This will certainly turn out to be the high point of your trip.
So if you want to go Rooftop restaurants in Shimla, Skybar Cocktails and Shisha is the best option for you.
Eighteen71 Cookhouse and Bar:
Deriving its name from the year the estate was established, it's a beautiful fine dining restaurant with a plush and modern feel. Cuisine ranges from Pan Indian - a mix of Mughali, Chettinad, Goan, Rajasthani, etc and Oriental - Chinese, Malay, Burmese and Thai.
Starting with lavish buffet breakfasts early morning, this all-day dining restaurant has classic flavours with a contemporary twist. Perfect for a cozy candlelight dinner, this is one restaurant you shouldn't miss.
To reach, you can just search for "Best Places to Eat in Shimla" anywhere in the city, and our team would be ecstatic to host you!
Shimla Brewing Company:
Shimla's newest nightlife address - this is a quintessential party place. This pub, brewery and nightclub in Shimla is the newest addition to the collection of best bars in Shimla. The iconic Himachali monkey of Shimla welcomes you into this one-of-a-kind Brewpub and nightclub with a 34-foot-long bar and the most magical panoramic views of the hills.
Beers are brewed fresh in-house by leading Master brewers with Belgian and German ingredients. And the first of a kind across India - this pub has 'hanging in the air' hammock seating where you can enjoy a mug of chilled beer with magical 180° views of the hills. Open till midnight and with special DJ nights - this is the perfect place to party!
Just have a good time in the hills, partying and enjoying the Shimla Brewing Company way.
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Where Memorable Dining Meets the Hills: Discover Shimla's Most Scenic Culinary Experience
A trip to Shimla feels incomplete unless you actually taste its lively food vibe. Whether you’re planning a family vacation , a romantic detour, or simply a weekend escape, choosing the best Restaurant in Shimla really makes the whole thing more unforgettable, in a small but noticeable way. From local comfort bites to international dishes, the entire dining scene here has a little something for every taste, so you end up lingering longer than you expected .
A Dining Experience Beyond Great Food
The charm of dining in Shimla isn’t only about tasty food, it is more like this whole thing that just sticks with you. You get that panoramic mountain view, nice weather, and those calm , elegant interiors all together, and somehow every meal feels like a small experience rather than just a quick stop. Most travelers who search for the Best places to eat in Shimla usually end up choosing restaurants where hospitality is top level, and the surroundings are truly breathtaking, like you’re in a setting that quiets everything down.
Rooftop Dining with Panoramic Views
Honestly nothing comes close to the feeling of savouring your own go-to meal while the Himalayan scenery, is just sitting there in the background. In the more well-known Rooftop Restaurants in Shimla, you can inhale that sharp mountain air, catch those dreamy sunsets, and then browse menus that seem carefully stitched together, for the most part. Be it breakfast or lunch or dinner, rooftop dining becomes this small graceful timeout from the bustling, noisy streets below.
Conveniently Located Near Mall Road
One of the biggest pluses about eating around the city’s main attractions is just pure convenience, and honestly it feels almost unreal how handy it is. People who look for the Best Restaurants in Shimla Mall Road usually also like the idea that getting there is, you know, way easier after shopping or those little sightseeing pauses. When a restaurant lands right in the central zone, travellers can dig into tasty meals without having to go too far, from the very heart of the city, like literally. It feels a bit smoother more in sync, as if everything is close enough, even when it drifts toward being slightly predictable from time to time.
Flavours That Celebrate Every Occasion
From authentic Himachal specialities to Indian, Asian, and Continental favourites, the Best places to eat in Shimla seem to cover all tastes; it really does, which works for a lot of people. In the same way, the Best places to eat in Shimla are often praised for menus that are carefully shaped, warm service , and a welcoming ambience that feels right for families, couples, and even business travellers, comfortably.
If you’re after a meal moment you’ll still think about, with stunning views, top notch hospitality , and genuinely remarkable food, then looking up the Best Restaurants in Shimla Mall Road the popular Rooftop Restaurants in Shimla really seems like one of those things you should slot into your travel itinerary. Every single bite ends up feeling like a small celebration of Shimla’s timeless allure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out Eighteen71 or Café Simla Times right at our hotel. We’ve got everything from spicy Indian curries to wood-fired pizzas. It’s widely considered the Best Restaurant in Shimla because you don't have to choose just one cuisine; everyone in your group finds something they actually like.
Yes, our rooftop is a local favorite. You can sit outside, grab a drink, and look over the whole valley. It’s easily one of the top Rooftop Restaurants in Shimla if you want to see the sunset while you eat without a bunch of buildings blocking your view.
Café Simla Times is your best bet on the Mall. It’s got a laid-back, artsy vibe, and it’s right where the action is. For travelers looking for the Best Places to Eat in Shimla Mall, it’s the go-to spot for coffee, shakes, and quick bites.
Our open-air deck is perfect for that. It’s quiet, the lighting is dim, and the mountain air feels great. Among Rooftop Restaurants in Shimla, ours stands out because it combines a high-end bar menu with a view that actually lives up to the hype.
Eighteen71 has plenty of big tables and a massive menu. if you’re searching for the Best Restaurants in Shimla Mall that can handle a noisy family dinner, this is it. the staff is used to kids and large groups, so you won’t feel out of place.
We are literally on the Mall Road, so you won't have to hike up any steep hills to find us. After you’re done shopping, you can just walk in. It’s one of the most convenient and Best Places to Eat in Shimla.
Eighteen71 is a bit more sophisticated, while the café is totally casual. We aim to be the Best Restaurants in Shimla Mall by offering two different moods in one building. You can dress up for dinner or just show up in your trekking gear.
Not really. We’re one of the Best Places to Eat in Shimla because we’re relaxed. Whether you’re coming from a long walk or a fancy event, you’ll fit in. Just come as you are and enjoy the food, no stiff dress codes here.
Of course. Most of our diners are actually walk-ins from the street. If you're hunting for the Best Restaurants in Shimla Mall, just head toward the hotel entrance. You don’t need a room key to grab a table or a drink at the bar.
It’s the combo of the Mall Road location and the rooftop view. Most places give you one or the other, but we give you both. For anyone looking for the Best Restaurants in Shimla Mall, the convenience and the quality of our kitchen make us a top pick.
