Best Local Food in Shimla: Dishes to Try

Shimla's food scene mixes genuine Himachali home-style cooking with Mall Road's more tourist-facing cafes and bakeries — worth seeking out the former specifically rather than sticking only to the latter.

Himachali Dham A traditional multi-course vegetarian feast typically served at festivals and special occasions, dham (with dishes like madra, a chickpea-and-yoghurt curry, and khatta, a tangy tamarind-based preparation) is the single best way to taste authentic Himachali cooking if you can find a restaurant serving it outside its usual festival context.

Siddu A steamed, stuffed wheat-flour bread — usually filled with walnut paste, poppy seed or a spiced potato mix — siddu is a Himachali staple worth trying alongside a bowl of dal or ghee.

Chana Madra A rich, yoghurt-based chickpea curry that's a Himachali dham staple in its own right, often available at local restaurants even outside festival season.

Mall Road cafes and bakeries Shimla's colonial history left a genuine bakery culture along Mall Road — worth a stop for a coffee and pastry between sightseeing, even if it's not the most distinctly local food on this list.

Tibetan food near Lakkar Bazaar Shimla has a noticeable Tibetan food presence too, with momos and thukpa widely available and a good option on a cold evening.

Where to find genuine Himachali cooking Ask your hotel or a local guide for a recommendation away from the main tourist strip — Shimla's best dham and siddu are more often found in smaller, local-facing eateries than in Mall Road's most visible restaurants.

Planning your trip Our Shimla • Kufri • Chail package includes meals as part of the itinerary — see our best time to visit Shimla guide if you're still finalising your travel dates.