Winter is finally here and so is the holiday season! Wherever you plan to go on your travels, we have a list of the best travel cafes in India. Often tucked away into nooks and crannies, these cafes are time capsules which often transport you to new dimensions! So sit back with a book and warm your heart with a dose of the winter sun!
Kunzum Travel Cafe, Delhi
Tucked cosily away in a corner of Hauz Khas Village, Kunzum Travel Cafe is the torchbearer for travel cafes in Delhi. Make travel plans, meet fellow travellers and simply be transported to new worlds over a cup of coffee!
Where: T-49, Ground Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi
Talk: +91 9650702 777
Wake and Bake Cafe, Shimla
Overlooking the valley on one side and the cobblestone streets of Shimla on the other, Wake and Bake Cafe is a golden reminder of the era gone by. The warm interiors, delectable food and gracious hospitality will make your heart swoon!
Where: 34/1, Mall Road, The Mall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Talk: +91 177 2813146
Backpackers Cafe, Chandigarh
You simply can’t be in Chandigarh and not visit Backpackers Cafe! Such is the aura of this place that it could make you spend hours in dreamy lethargy here. The idea behind this cafe was to have a breakfast place for people on the move, but which has now evolved into a chic restaurant.
Where: 48/A, Elante Mall, Ground Floor, Industrial Area I, Chandigarh
Talk: +91 172 6541470
Cafe 1947, Old Manali
With enchanting views of River Manalsu and the passionate embrace of soul satisfying music, Cafe 1947 is your quintessential hill cafe. Trout fish and wood fired pizzas are the specialities at Cafe 1947! The cafe is perfect for a laidback evening and is one of the best travel cafes in India.
Where: Near Bridge to Manu Temple, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Talk:+91 9418461969
Cafe des Artes, Pondicherry
Cafe des Artes is a bohemian style, vintage cafe with breezy verandahs, easy decor and wholesome French food. If you love chocolate, then you simply can’t resist the Nutella crepes! There is a cycle rickshaw in the garden, adding to the cafe’s old world charm.
Where: 10, Suffren Street, White Town, Puducherry
Talk: +91 99944 81914
The Coffee Cup, Hyderabad
A place where the warm notes of fresh coffee blend with the smell of the books, The Coffee Cup is a quaint cafe with wood furniture, stone hedges and green spaces. Lose yourself over a cup of coffee and your favourite book–time really doesn’t seem to matter here!
Where: E 89, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad, Hyderabad
Talk: +91 40 40037571
Open Hand Bistro & Bar, Leh
Make it a road trip by simply booking a cab to Leh. Just off the Fort Road, lies a garden vegetable patch that is home to the Open Hand Bistro and Bar. Nestled in the foothills and engulfed by lush greenery, the bistro also doubles up as a fair trade shop. Enjoy home cooked meals and a cup of your favourite brew as you soak up the mountain sunshine!
Where: Hotel Bijoo, Library Rd, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir
Talk: +91 98719 09777
Raja’s Cafe, Khajuraho
Raja’s Cafe is an iconic cafe in Khajuraho which was set up by two Swiss sisters. The cafe’s terrace affords beautiful views of the temple, where you can sit back and enjoy a hearty meal. Their eclectic mix of cuisines and coffee will soothe any traveller’s heart and appetite!
Where: Main Road, Opposite Western Group of Hotels, Chattarpur, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Talk: +91 7686272307
Gatty’s Cafe, Darjeeling
Gatty’s Cafe is a backpacker-friendly cafe with free open mic and movie nights. This is probably the only place in Darjeeling with a pulse even after 9 PM. If not the music, then the delicious house-made ravioli will surely make you croon! There are many places to visit in Darjeeling, but you can always come back to Gatty’s whenever you feel homesick.
Where: TV Tower, Dr. Zakir Hussain Road, Darjeeling
Talk: +91 9933070013
Cafe By The Way, Mussoorie
Whenever you plan a trip to Mussoorie, do keep in mind to put Cafe By The Way in your itinerary. Situated in an old British building, the cafe also offers outdoor seating. Perch yourself on a scooter-chair, order an Oreo milkshake and watch the world go by!
Where: Mall Road, Opposite Baskin Robbins, The Mall, Mussoorie
Talk: +91 135 2632154
We hope that this new year brings new hopes and many more travels to you. The best travel cafes in India help you meet fellow travellers and people with similar interests. Especially designed for travellers and backpackers, these cafes will help you quench your wanderlust.
About the Author:
A wordologist, Etti Bali loves playing around with words, creating a world of absurd. In an ideal world, she would never wake up as she thinks slumber is the answer to all world problems.
