Cafes of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Shimla is a place to relax, breathe fresh mountain air, enjoy relaxed life, read a book, and hop cafes. This was definitely our agenda when we visited Shimla for a week. We mainly relaxed in our homestay, enjoyed the nature, took long walks to see the homes in the town, ate lovely local food, visited temples, and drank some coffee. If you have similar agenda or maybe just take a quick check of cafes to definitely not miss, this article should help you.

1. Indian Coffee House – is 1st on my list. This is an cooperative run coffee chain that still serves coffee, other beverage, and food in the traditional indian style with waiters wearing the “safa” headgear that is unique to Indian culture. I absolutly love the the coffee here as its the indian coffee (milky). This is located on the Mall road and cannot miss this place. Be ready to share tables with locals during peak hours who come for a coffee during morning, post lunch, and evening snack time. The leather sofas and sarmaica tables are pure nostagia.

2. Book Cafe – This old coffee shop has good book selection and simple coffee to offer. However, I prefered to carry my own book to this place.

3. Cedar cafe – Is located in the campus of St. Andrews Church. While I am not a church goer but I went here just for this picturesque cafe. This cafe operates as a traditional indian cafe with simple Indian style coffee, tea, cold beverages, and some lovely snacks. While the menu might sound simple to taste but its the view that I went for. This cafe is located on a slight height and offers a lovely view of the valley town. The big open lawn with beautiful metal garden table-chair are just too lovely to add to the vibe. Spend a couple of hours and enjoy the slow time. The cafe name also signifies the ample of cedar trees growing in Shimla.

4. Brews & Books cafe – This small cafe is located right in the middle of the hustle bustle of the main market area. After a tiring walk in the market, we found solace in this cafe. The table by the window allowed to be a part of the on going hustle while enjoying a relaxed time.