Himachali dishes to try
- Siddu: a soft, steamed wheat bun filled with ground walnut, poppy seed or lentil paste, served with ghee or chutney. A Kullu valley speciality, good on a cold morning.
- Trout: rainbow and brown trout from the cold rivers and farms of the Kullu valley, usually grilled or fried with simple spices.
- Dham: the festive meal of Himachal, cooked by traditional cooks and served on leaf plates at weddings and festivals, with rice, dal, rajma, madra (chickpeas in yoghurt) and a sweet rice.
- Babru and aktori: a deep-fried black-gram bread and a buckwheat pancake, both regional snacks.
- Local apples, apple juice and dry fruit in season, from the orchards around Manali.
Tibetan food
Manali has a long-established Tibetan community, and Tibetan food is everywhere, from the stalls near the monasteries to small family restaurants. Steamed or fried momos, thukpa (noodle soup), thenthuk (hand-pulled noodle soup), shapale (fried meat pies) and butter tea are the staples. On a cold evening, a bowl of thukpa is hard to beat.
Old Manali's café scene
Old Manali's lanes are lined with cafés, many in old wooden houses with terraces over the Manalsu stream or the apple orchards. Menus run from Israeli and Italian dishes to wood-fired pizza, fresh trout, bakery cakes and good coffee, and many have live music in season. It's relaxed, inexpensive by city standards, and the place most backpackers spend their evenings.
Some cafés close or shorten their hours from December to February, and the scene is at its liveliest from April to June and September to November. Cafés change hands often, so ask locally which are open rather than relying on old lists.
Mall Road and the town centre
Around Mall Road you'll find vegetarian thali restaurants, North Indian family restaurants, sweet shops, Tibetan eateries and the street stalls selling corn on the cob, momos and hot drinks in the evening. It's the easiest place for families who want familiar food and a choice of places within walking distance.
For pure vegetarian and Jain meals, the centre has the widest choice; tell restaurants your requirements, as many will adapt.
Eating on day trips
On the road to Solang and the Atal Tunnel, small dhabas serve Maggi noodles, parathas, rajma rice and tea; they're simple but welcome on a snow day. At Marhi, below Rohtang, a row of dhabas is the usual breakfast stop. On the Lahaul side at Sissu, choice is limited in deep winter, so carry snacks and water.
On the highway to and from Delhi or Chandigarh, there are dhabas and restaurants at the usual stops around Kiratpur, Bilaspur, Sundernagar and Mandi. Your driver will know the clean, reliable ones.
Food tips for Manali
- Drink bottled or filtered water, and avoid ice in small stalls.
- Eat lighter on long mountain drives if anyone gets travel sick.
- Fresh trout is best in the cooler months; ask where it comes from.
- In winter, eat dinner earlier: many places close early when it's very cold.
- Alcohol is served in licensed restaurants and bars; don't drink before high-altitude trips.
Frequently asked questions
What is the famous food of Manali?+
Siddu, Kullu trout and Himachali dham, plus Tibetan momos and thukpa. Old Manali is famous for its cafés.
Where are the best cafés in Manali?+
Most are in Old Manali, along the lanes above the Manalsu stream. Cafés change often, so ask locally which are open.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Manali?+
Yes. Many restaurants are pure vegetarian, especially around Mall Road, and most others have vegetarian choices.
What is siddu?+
A steamed wheat bun with a filling of walnut, poppy seed or lentil paste, usually served with ghee. It's a Kullu valley speciality.
Are Old Manali cafés open in winter?+
Some are, with shorter hours. Several close from December to February, so the choice is smaller.
Where can I eat on the way to Solang or Rohtang?+
Small dhabas along the road serve simple hot food. Marhi, below Rohtang, is the usual breakfast stop.
