Crawling traffic, winding lanes, and mesmerizing views aside, Shillong offers a delightful array of cuisines, in addition to its own Khasi food (and other local food). It is quite the foodies’ paradise. The capital of one of the seven sister states of North East India – Meghalaya, this city has so much to offer to travelers looking to explore the region’s cuisine. The food of the North East is drastically different from that of the rest of the country and it can take some getting used to. But don’t worry, even if you aren’t one to experiment with food, there are dozens of chain restaurants and cafes serving everything from Butter Chicken and naan to hakka noodles, burgers, pizzas, and more in Shillong and Cherrapunji.
If you *are* into trying out regional cuisine, the food of Meghalaya ranges from mild to fiery hot, so when you hear that the food here is spicy, you better believe it. After all, the Northeastern part of India is home to the spiciest chilly in the world – the Bhoot Jalokia. On a side note – I brought home some Bhoot Jalokia pickle and sampled the tiniest little sliver (trust me, it was almost microscopic!). My tongue burned, nostrils flared and ears heated up and they stayed that way for quite a while. Since then, the pickle has laid untouched in my kitchen for when I am brave enough to put it on my tongue again. But I digress. Like I was saying, for those looking to sample a little bit of Northeastern fare, there is much more than momos, jaddoh and pork-based dishes to try.
BEST RESTAURANTS IN SHILLONG:
Trattoria
Located in the frenetic lanes of Police Bazaar, Trattoria is perhaps the most famous Khasi food joint in the area and *the* place to go if you’d like to sample local food. Finding parking in the area is a frustrating experience and the ordeal will have you wondering whether the food is even worth the trouble. Sadly, when I dined there at 7:30 PM (the restaurant closes at 8 PM), they were all sold out, except for the Jaddoh meal – a simple plate of rice cooked with vegetables and served with pork meatballs. The plain wooden benches are similar to what you’d find in old schools – and despite the uncomfortable seats, dim lighting, and nonexistent decor, this tiny, family-owned restaurant sees a steady stream of patrons looking to savour Khasi food.
Cafe Dylan
I love themed restaurants and this one was no different. Covered from floor to ceiling in Bob Dylan quotes, graffiti, merchandise, and more, this cafe is extremely popular among people of all ages. Bob Dylan music plays in the background all day, and when paired with the chilly weather, a book, and a coffee/hot chocolate, it is the stuff a good, lazy afternoon is made of. The food is nothing extraordinary (in fact, it’s forgettable), and while the cafe would be great for digital nomads to work out of, sadly, there is no Wi-Fi available.
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Deja Vu – I’d heard so much about the food at Deja Vu, and even my Airbnb host in Shillong vouched for the food at this popular Chinese restaurant. Upon visiting, the half-hour wait time led me to have high hopes, but I was sorely disappointed. The drinks were below average, the pork ribs had a weird smell, was bland, and definitely not well marinated. The Shillong-style noodles were nothing to write home about and the teppanyaki was inedible! We sent most of the food back. The only saving grace was the live music and pleasant service. Save yourself the trip. Go elsewhere to dine.
ML 05
Have you been to Shillong if you haven’t dined at this trendy and picturesque spot? This bike-themed cafe is a rage among road trippers and is beautifully done up and maintained. Overlooking the lush hillside, its cozy interiors, great music, and menu full of comfort food tick all the right boxes. From indulgent chocolate shakes to piping hot cheese Maggi – you’ll find all the gooey, cheesy, fried, soupy, and soul-satisfying bites right here. The service wasn’t up to par, but regardless, I’d visit again. It is definitely one of the must-visit places in Shillong.
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Delhi Mistan Bhandar
This one is for those who miss the flavours of home. From bread (and other types of pakodas) to gulab jamun, jalebi, Dilli-style chaat, puri bhaji, chole bhature and so much more – you can bet you’ll walk out of here full and happy! It is one of the most buzzing spot at Police Bazaar and you can’t miss it as you walk down the street.
Ee Cee Bakery
I can’t resist going into a bakery and this quaint one drew me in as well. They have a selection of pastries, cakes, biscuits, and other bakes and are a great place to stop and grab a bite before entering Police Bazaar or after exiting it, to calm yourself after the chaotic shopping you’ve experienced. I ordered the cheese puff and if I could offer you a tip, it’s this – if you order the puffs, don’t ask for it to be heated as it will be popped into the microwave and handed to you all soft and soggy.
Overall, the best food I ate in Shillong was on the streets. Hot, juicy momos with fiery chutney was my go-to snack in Shillong. I also loved the chicken chops and a variety of other freshly made, fried snacks I found in certain areas off the main roads.
BEST RESTAURANTS IN CHERRAPUNJI:
While I stayed in Cherrapunji for around 3-4 days, I dined mostly at the hotel I was staying at – Escapade Inn – and enjoyed the food there, might I add. Due to office work and Zoom calls during the day and the fact that restaurants in Cherrapunji close at 8:30-9 PM while my work extends until much later, I did not try as many restaurants as I would have liked to. Nevertheless, here are a few.
Orange Roots
One of the most popular places to dine, but unlike the places in Shillong, this hyped-up restaurant was worth its salt. Orange Roots is located as you enter Cherrapunji and is managed by local women. This vegetarian restaurant is handled very efficiently and is absolutely spotless. There is no a la carte menu at this restaurant. Instead, you will have to make your food selection and pay at the counter before being seated. The dosas and thali were exceptionally good – it is surprising to get such authentic South Indian food in this hamlet tucked away in North East India, but the food was truly comparable to the real deal.
Golden Spoon
This non-descript local joint offers very reasonably priced food that’s absolutely delicious and very homely. They have no menu and serve 3-4 types of thalis .. chicken, egg, veg etc. It’s worth noting that the veg thali is exactly the same as the chicken thali – minus the chicken (don’t expect a vegetarian replacement for the meat). For the price, the food is quite delicious and very filling plus they offer more rice and curry if you ask. My only qualm was the lack of service staff.
WHERE TO EAT ALONG THE WAY
The drive from Shillong to Cherrapunji takes around 2 hours and during the journey, we lucked out when we walked into K.B.R Vegetarian Restaurant. Spotless interiors, great service and food that’s excellent, filling, and soul-satisfying! Right from the first sip of the fresh lime soda to the last nibble of the butter garlic naan, everything was top-notch. What’s more? The restaurant has swanky washrooms comparable to those in a movie theatre – just what you need when on the road. They also have a non-vegetarian restaurant located on the same premises but in a different building.
I hope this blog post helps you pick the best places to dine in Shillong and Cherrapunji. If I visit again (and I do hope to), I will update this list. Until then, keep sending me your suggestions in the comments below and follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You may also like to read my blog post on the road trip from Guwahati to Shillong and the things to do in Cherrapunji.
