Finding the best restaurants in Manali is part of the fun of a Manali trip. From riverside cafés in Old Manali to trout restaurants and Tibetan kitchens, the town has something for every taste. This guide is for American travellers and includes restaurants that have been popular with international visitors for years.
Best places to eat in Manali
1. Johnson’s Café
Part of Johnson Lodge, this long-running restaurant is known for its trout, wood-fired dishes and garden seating. Read our Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; by air: Kullu–Manali (Bhuntar) airport is 50 km away, with limited flights; Chandigarh is the more reliable alternative.
- Best time: March to June for pleasant weather; December to February for snow; avoid the monsoon (July–August)
- Don’t miss: Hadimba Devi Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht
- Where to stay: The Himalayan, Span Resort & Spa (mid-range from ₹5,000 (about US$53) a night)
- Time needed: 4–5 days
2. Café 1947
A riverside café in Old Manali with live music, Italian food and a relaxed vibe. Read our Old Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; a short walk or auto-rickshaw ride across the Manalsu stream from the Mall.
- Best time: March to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Manu Temple, Café strip, Manalsu stream
- Where to stay: boutique guesthouses, hostels (mid-range from ₹3,000 (about US$32) a night)
- Time needed: 2–3 days
3. Drifters’ Inn and Café
A popular Old Manali café with global comfort food and good coffee. Read our Old Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; a short walk or auto-rickshaw ride across the Manalsu stream from the Mall.
- Best time: March to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Manu Temple, Café strip, Manalsu stream
- Where to stay: boutique guesthouses, hostels (mid-range from ₹3,000 (about US$32) a night)
- Time needed: 2–3 days
4. Lazy Dog Lounge
Riverside seating, cocktails and a mix of Indian and international dishes. Read our Old Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; a short walk or auto-rickshaw ride across the Manalsu stream from the Mall.
- Best time: March to June and September to November
- Don’t miss: Manu Temple, Café strip, Manalsu stream
- Where to stay: boutique guesthouses, hostels (mid-range from ₹3,000 (about US$32) a night)
- Time needed: 2–3 days
Before you fly: gear checklist
- Top travel backpacks for hiking and flights BuyrSkip
A 30–45 litre travel backpack is easier than a suitcase on hill-station lanes, stairs and shared taxis. - High-capacity power banks for long trips BuyrSkip
Power cuts and cold weather drain phones fast in the mountains; a 20,000 mAh bank under the 100 Wh airline limit is the sweet spot. - Tested travel essentials BuyrSkip
Packing cubes, locks, neck pillows and organisers that make a long journey to the Himalaya easier.
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5. Il Forno
Wood-fired pizzas in a traditional building near Hadimba Temple. Read our Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; by air: Kullu–Manali (Bhuntar) airport is 50 km away, with limited flights; Chandigarh is the more reliable alternative.
- Best time: March to June for pleasant weather; December to February for snow; avoid the monsoon (July–August)
- Don’t miss: Hadimba Devi Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht
- Where to stay: The Himalayan, Span Resort & Spa (mid-range from ₹5,000 (about US$53) a night)
- Time needed: 4–5 days
6. Chopsticks
A Mall Road favourite for Tibetan, Chinese and Japanese dishes. Read our Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; by air: Kullu–Manali (Bhuntar) airport is 50 km away, with limited flights; Chandigarh is the more reliable alternative.
- Best time: March to June for pleasant weather; December to February for snow; avoid the monsoon (July–August)
- Don’t miss: Hadimba Devi Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht
- Where to stay: The Himalayan, Span Resort & Spa (mid-range from ₹5,000 (about US$53) a night)
- Time needed: 4–5 days
7. Casa Bella Vista
Italian food and pizzas on the Old Manali road. Read our Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; by air: Kullu–Manali (Bhuntar) airport is 50 km away, with limited flights; Chandigarh is the more reliable alternative.
- Best time: March to June for pleasant weather; December to February for snow; avoid the monsoon (July–August)
- Don’t miss: Hadimba Devi Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht
- Where to stay: The Himalayan, Span Resort & Spa (mid-range from ₹5,000 (about US$53) a night)
- Time needed: 4–5 days
8. Local dhabas
For siddu, trout and Himachali thalis, try the dhabas around the Mall and Vashisht. Read our Manali guide.
- Getting there: 12–14 hours by road (about 540 km) from Delhi; by air: Kullu–Manali (Bhuntar) airport is 50 km away, with limited flights; Chandigarh is the more reliable alternative.
- Best time: March to June for pleasant weather; December to February for snow; avoid the monsoon (July–August)
- Don’t miss: Hadimba Devi Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht
- Where to stay: The Himalayan, Span Resort & Spa (mid-range from ₹5,000 (about US$53) a night)
- Time needed: 4–5 days
What to expect
Restaurants in Manali serve a wide range of cuisines, from Himachali dishes to Italian, Israeli and Tibetan food. Prices range from ₹150–300 (about US$2–3) for a dhaba meal to ₹1,000–2,500 (about US$11–26) for a meal in a top restaurant. Opening hours change seasonally, and some cafés close in deep winter, so check recent reviews.
Dietary needs
Vegetarian food is everywhere, and most restaurants can adapt for vegans. Gluten-free options are more limited; ask about ingredients.
Tipping
Service charges are sometimes added to the bill; if not, a 5–10% tip is appreciated.
Planning your trip from the USA
Air India has operated nonstop flights to Delhi from US gateways such as New York (JFK), Newark, Chicago, Washington Dulles and San Francisco, taking roughly 14–17 hours. Some of those routes have been cut or rerouted because of airspace restrictions, so check the current schedule before you plan around a nonstop. One-stop itineraries are often cheaper and just as practical: via the Gulf (Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi), via Europe (London, Frankfurt, Paris or Amsterdam) or via Istanbul. Door to door, expect 20–26 hours from the East Coast and 22–30 hours from the West Coast. Fares: round-trip economy fares to Delhi often range from about US$900 to US$1,600 depending on season and city, with October–December and May–June among the busiest periods. Read our guide to getting to Himachal from the USA for the full journey.
US citizens need an Indian visa, and most holidaymakers use the e-Tourist Visa, applied for online at least four days before travel; our India visa guide explains the process step by step. Most US health plans, including Medicare, offer little or no cover in India, so buy a policy with medical and evacuation cover (see our travel insurance guide). For cash, cards and UPI, see our money guide, and for staying online, our SIM and internet guide.
What it costs
Typical daily spend per person on the ground, excluding international flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day (INR) | In US dollars | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹2,500–4,000 | US$26–42 | hostel or guesthouse, local food, buses |
| Mid-range | ₹6,000–10,000 | US$63–105 | good hotel, café meals, some taxis |
| Luxury | ₹20,000–45,000 | US$211–474 | 5-star or heritage stay, private car, fine dining |
Prices are converted at about ₹95 to US$1 and rise in peak season (May–June, Christmas and New Year). Our Himachal trip cost guide has a full breakdown.
Responsible travel tips
Tourism is vital to Himachal’s economy, but it also strains water supplies, roads and waste systems in peak season. You can help by travelling outside the busiest weeks, choosing locally run stays, refusing single-use plastic, and carrying out everything you carry in on treks. Ask before photographing people, dress modestly in villages and at temples, and tip guides, drivers and porters fairly: their income is often seasonal.
Health and safety basics
Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water, eat freshly cooked food and carry a small medical kit with rehydration salts and motion-sickness tablets for winding roads. Above 3,000 m, gain height gradually and descend if headaches or nausea get worse. The emergency number throughout India is 112. The US State Department rates India at Level 2 (exercise increased caution) for the country as a whole, with stricter advice for some border areas, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Smart tech for the mountains
- Best power banks for travel BuyrSkip
Power cuts and cold weather drain phones fast in the mountains; a 20,000 mAh bank under the 100 Wh airline limit is the sweet spot. - Best dual-voltage wall chargers BuyrSkip
A multi-port GaN charger rated 100–240 V cuts down on adapters for India’s 230 V sockets. - Best wireless earbuds for travel VerdictFox
Light earbuds for bus rides, flights and hikes when headphones are too bulky.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
A short history of Himachali food
Himachali cooking grew out of farming life in steep valleys where wheat, maize, barley, buckwheat, rice and pulses were grown on terraces, and where long winters demanded food that could be stored. Dairy from cows, buffaloes and goats provided ghee, yogurt and buttermilk, which give many dishes their richness. The festive dham tradition developed around temples and royal courts, while the Buddhist valleys of Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur share many dishes with Tibet: barley flour (tsampa), butter tea, thukpa and momos. Since the 1960s, Tibetan refugees in McLeodganj and Manali have added their own kitchens, and today backpacker cafés serve everything from shakshuka to wood-fired pizza.
Regional food map
- Shimla and Sirmaur: babru, patande, chana madra and Shimla mirch (capsicum) dishes.
- Kullu and Manali: siddu, trout and red rice.
- Kangra: madra, Kangra tea and the classic Kangri dham.
- Chamba: rajmah, madra, chukh chutney and tudkiya bhath.
- Mandi: sepu vadi and the Mandyali dham.
- Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti: thukpa, momos, barley dishes, aktori and butter tea.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best restaurant in Manali?
Johnson’s Café is a long-standing favourite, but Old Manali has many excellent cafés.
Are there vegetarian restaurants?
Yes, plenty.
Is Manali expensive for food?
No; meals are affordable.
What local food should I try?
Siddu, trout and Himachali thalis.
Do restaurants accept cards?
Most larger restaurants do; smaller cafés prefer cash or UPI.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Manali India Travel Guide for American Tourists
- Old Manali Travel Guide: Cafes, Shopping and Mountain Culture
- Traditional Himachali Food Every American Tourist Should Try
- Best Luxury Resorts in Manali for US Travellers