The scorching heat and rise in the humidity level forced me to leave Delhi for a week and go to the selected destination, Shimla. This was my 8th visit to Shimla, and this time I went to search, locate, and taste the best this city has to offer.
We started our journey from New Delhi and reached Kalka, Haryana, by Kalka Shatabdi Express. It is a 4 hour journey, followed by a 3 hour journey from Kalka to Shimla via cab . Many tourist travel to Shimla via Toy Train, which takes 6 hours to cover the distance of 76KM between Kalka and Shimla. I personally feel that the journey to Shimla is more beautiful than the destination itself.
The former summer capital of the British Shimla has an enormous variety of tourist destinations located at the heart of the city and at the smaller hill stations nearby. Many popular Government sponsored and private eateries satisfy the tummy heat of the locals as well as of tourist like me. The Ridge and The Mall have a large variety of Indian and Chinese food outlets, and you can also trace many old and new local shops, dhabas and small restaurants selling lip-smacking food items at economical prices.
I have handpicked a few places that I like.
Trishool Bakery
I have heard a lot about this place from few local friends. This small bakery is a real good place to hog on pastries, patties, burgers and a variety of cakes and other bakery products. I have had experiences of chocolates and kebabs melting in my mouth, but for the first time I experienced mushroom patties almost melting in my mouth. I also ordered a scrumptious doughnut, which was heated exactly for 25 sec. The best thing about this place is the economical price. The ambiance is ordinary but the food is extra-ordinary. We were so blown away by the pastries and the patties that we got a few packed for our journey back home.
Indian Coffee House
Indian Coffee House is a vintage coffee house with more than 400 outlets across the country. The one at Mall road, Shimla, is famous amongst tourists, locals and specially the Advocates of Shimla High Court for whom this is a hot favourite destination. It is an Indo–English style amazing and economical food outlet with fast service and good coffee. It is very crowded and always jam packed. What I like the most about the place is that there are many intellectual and intelligent elders mostly from high court, and jolly and loving tourists with whom you can interact easily over a cup of coffee.
HPTDC Ashiana Restaurant
It is a beautiful gondola shaped restaurant with 360 degree view of the mountains, occupying the best space on the Ridge, Shimla. This Himachal Pradesh tourism restaurant provides a great view of the Mall Road as well as the Ridge, but the experience doesn’t do justice to the place. The quality of food is much below par and the servers are indifferent. My personal observation is that restaurants in Himachal are now aware of the fact that tourists from Chandigarh, Delhi and other places spend an average of Rs. 1000 for a meal so the prices are now established accordingly, but unfortunately it is not justifies by the quality and quantity of the food. They need to upgrade ventilation as summer temperature is 33′ C and without fans, it is hot. It is worth going to only for the ambiance.
Baljee’s
I remember this place from my childhood, when it was one of the few prominent places in town to eat at. Super soft gulab jamuns are a must try here . I have tried them every time we passed by the Mall road. I can bet that you won’t find such soft and scrumptious gulab jamuns elsewhere.
If you are on Mall road, then make sure you try some sweets from this shop. This shop is very old and is famous for its good standard and hygiene. Many old timers know of this place, and I am not sure but I think this shop is more than 50 yeas old. It is located strategically on the Mall opposite the Town Hall. The best thing about this place is the variety of cuisine offered. One can have South Indian, North Indian, Continental, and Chinese, all under one roof. Quality control is strict and service is good.
Embassy Restaurant
