With a justified reputation as one of India’s premier backpacking as well as honeymoon destinations, Manali attracts hordes of tourists from all corners of the globe year-round. Its pleasant climate is a welcome respite from the scorching summer heat, while its snow-capped mountains offer breathtaking views to boot. In addition to the boundless natural beauty, there’s another attraction that keeps drawing  us back to Manali time after time – the amazing food on offer! There are a number of quaint little cafes here serving local Himachali delicacies as well as the most exotic dishes from cuisines all around the world.

So to make your next trip an unforgettable one, we’ve compiled the following list of the best cafes in Manali that will completely satisfy your wanderlust as well as your hunger.

When in Manali, treat your tastebuds as well as your eyes to these amazing eateries!

Cafe 1947

Located next to the Beas river, which offers an amazing backdrop as you enjoy the mouth-watering continental fare served here, Cafe 1947 is one of the best cafes in Manali to enjoy a relaxed meal at. Offerings like the Dimebag Burger and the Metallica Pasta are hot favourites (quite literally!), as are the pizzas that are prepared in the wood-fired oven. They also serve a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, which you can wash down your meal with. Music nights are also routine here, with artists performing along the banks of the river, making your meal a truly memorable one.

Where: Nehru Kund, Solang Highway, V.P.O Bahang, Manali

Credits: justdail.com

Fat Plate Cafe

The Fat Plate Cafe is a family-run eatery surrounded by picturesque lush-green lawns and its very own herb and vegetable gardens. Seating is divided between the indoor lounge, verandah, and two levels of lawns, each area with its own charm. The kitchen is run by Chef Anubhav, who has trained at some of the best five-star hotels in the country, and replicates the same quality in all his dishes here. The menu includes some of the finest European and North Indian delicacies, all freshly prepared using ingredients sourced from their own gardens to ensure quality. The chef’s special dishes include the Eggs Benedict, which make for an ideal breakfast, and slow-cooked Rara Mutton, which are ideal meals during the cold weather. The cafe even bakes its own bread on the premises, and takes great pride in the hygienic conditions in its kitchen, regularly inviting its patrons to take a look around!

Where: Shuru, Naggar Road, Village Prini, 8 km from Manali

Credits: justdial.com

Johnson’s Cafe

Johnson’s Cafe is a Manali institution, part of the popular Johnson’s Lodge, and offers a stunning mountain view through its foldaway windows as you dig into excellent European fare. Diners have the option of enjoying a hearty breakfast or lunch in the company of exquisite blooms in the garden, or savouring dinner in front of an intimate bonfire with rustic furniture and retro album posters on the walls. The menu includes several iterations of fresh Manali trout, but the Fillet Curry with rice, salad, and Madra Palak is a real stand-out. Other popular items include the Lamb with Mint Gravy and the Plum Sauce Spare Ribs, followed by the Apple Crumble. Paired up with a glass or two of wine or a refreshing cocktail from the exhaustive drinks menu, it has all the makings of a lovely romantic meal. Johnson’s is also one of the many cafes in Manali with live music performances, with an array of artists ranging from head-banging rock to lively electronic sets taking over the place on most weekends.

Where: Johnson’s Hotel, Circuit House Road, Siyal, Manali

Credits: untravel.com

People Art Cafe & Lounge

This cafe offers a wide range of excellent continental dishes, and happens to be one of the area’s most popular breakfast joints. The menu features cuisines from over five different regions, which means that there’s something to please every palate! From delicious pizzas to delicate sushi and hearty plates of pasta, all served with music playing in the background, it’s really a treat for all the senses!

Where: Manu Temple Road, Old Manali

Credits: justdial.com

Drifters’ Inn & Cafe

One of the most popular cafes in Old Manali, this lounge-style establishment dishes out a stunning variety of international cuisines. The food tastes all the better thanks to the mellow, relaxed vibe created by the mostly jazz-based music that’s always playing here. With a cosy fireplace and lots of board games on the premises, you can easily spend a few hours here with your squad without even realising it! Eggs Florentine is one of the breakfast specialties here, as are the waffles and pancakes that are drowned in maple syrup. They also serve a remarkably good Thai Green Curry with rice, as well as a number of excellent cocktails and other libations from the bar menu. What’s more? They even have safe, clean rooms which you can use as a base to explore the area! So, despite what the name suggests, this is actually a pretty nice place to stay put at!

Where: Manu Temple Road, Old Manali Village, Manali

Credits: yatra.com

Cafe Meraki

If you’re on your way to (or have just come back from) a lengthy trek or indulging in some adventure sports, Cafe Meraki is the place to get your snack on! Offering a variety of tasty bites at incredibly affordable prices, it’s a beautiful location where you can enjoy a great meal. From fresh momos to delectable burgers and sandwiches alongside delicious coffee with occasional live music playing, it’s no wonder that this budget-friendly eatery at Hotel Antarctica has made its way onto this list of the best cafes in Manali.

Where: Hotel Antarctica, Manu Temple Road, Old Manali

Credits: eattreat.in

La Plage

If indulging in decadent French cuisine amidst beautiful apple orchards in the lap of a flowing river sounds like your kind of getaway, then La Plage is your kind of restaurant! The wooden interiors and large windows lend this place a warm, inviting vibe, with a stunning view only enhancing the experience. The in-house specialities include the Liver Pâté, Pumpkin Ravioli, Braised Mutton, Broccoli & Courgette Lasagne and a selection of gourmet burgers. However, you cannot leave without trying the signature Chocolate Thali, a selection of chocolate desserts that will take you straight to sweet heaven! You can also sip on their impressive collection of wines as you enjoy one of their weekend music nights, with popular DJs and live artists showing up during the summer. As an added treat, if you make an advance booking, the restaurant will even send a colourful auto-rickshaw to pick you up – if that isn’t an unmissable Instagram photo-op, we don’t know what is!

Where: Club House Road, Old Manali

Credits: Facebook

Kilta Cafe

If you like a cup (or two, or three) of coffee to kick start your day, or just want to ward off the chill with a hot steaming cup of joe, then Kilta Cafe is the place to go. Freshly roasted Indian coffees are brewed by the owners themselves, and the enticing aroma is enough to attract coffee lovers from a mile away! They also serve speciality teas and other refreshing ice-cold beverages, in addition to sumptuous hot dogs, pastries, cookies, and muffins for you to snack on as you take in the magnificent view that this place affords.

Where: VPO Aleo, Next to Hotel Park Paradise, Nagar Road, Manali

Credits: LBB.in

Not travelling anytime soon? Click here to know easy-to-make midnight snacks!

There’s nothing quite as simple as picking up a protein bar after a heavy workout. They are an easy way to build muscle mass and repair damaged tissue while bringing down fat. It’s quite a difficult task to get your daily intake of protein otherwise because you’ll have to be mindful of what you’re eating and how much.

But this is where a protein bar comes to the rescue, it’s packed with nutrients. You can make one batch and eat them for days together.

How To Make A Protein Bar At Home-

1 1/2 cups almonds
1/4 cup roasted, puffed bajra or any roasted millet
One fourth cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
3 tbsp honey
4 dates

Credits- I Heart Naptime

Method:

Pulse the almonds in your mixer until they became a powder. Then keep pulsing, until they become a paste; be careful to stop at that point. Add in the honey, and pulse a little more. Scrape the edges of your mixer to ensure that nothing sticks. Next, pulse the dates, until everything gets perfectly mixed. You may need to stir everything in between pulses, to mix properly.

Scrape the mixture into a shallow, wide baking tray that has been lightly oiled, and with your hands, mix in the seeds and the bajra. Press everything as flat and smooth as you can. Then place in a pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes. Allow cooling for around half an hour, until the pieces are pliable enough to be cut but hard enough to remove without falling into pieces. Slice them into bars and then leave them to cool for several hours. They can be stored for about ten days in the fridge.

Credits- Redefining Strength

 Recipe Credits- Meher Mirza

You can also use wrapping sheets to wrap the cut-out protein bar cubes so that they’re easy to store! Enjoy these and check out other food articles right here https://littleletterslinked.com/category/food/

There are many things we eat that are extremely bad for us – but we simply do not know better. Many food safety experts have shared how they do not eat these food items – and so, it makes sense that we do not as well, to maintain proper health and hygiene. Some of these things include:

1. Raw oysters

Many people seem to have developed a rich taste for raw oysters – even though they are widely shunned by food safety experts. They are uncooked and thus, they have not been exposed to the kind of heat that can kill harmful bacteria. Because of this, they can cause many health problems as well. It is thus very important to take note of where the oysters you are having are coming from, and how long they have been cooked for, and in how high a temperature as well.

2. Raw cheese

Surprisingly enough, raw cheese has become a trend of sorts, with many people eating it with no problems. But the thing is, unpasteurized milk and cheese are quite dangerous for us. They have not been put through any process that could have removed the bacteria present in them. You may end up with salmonella, e Coli, or listeria.

3. Undercooked meat

It’s not just salmonella – many other diseases and illnesses can arise from consuming meat that is not cooked through. They can cause diarrhea and vomiting as well. Kids, old people, people who are already ill, or have a weak immune system may be affected by undercooked meat more easily and quickly than others.

So, if you are cooking some meat like chicken, make sure it has been cooked all the way before you plate it. You can use thermometers or other tools to find out the same. Thus, prevent these health problems from coming up.

4. Salad bars

You might be pleased that you go to the salad bar regularly – but many food safety experts have views that can change your view altogether. Salad bars usually mean that these seemingly healthy foods are left out in the open, with minimum to no supervision. And even the temperature is not maintained as such. Because of these, things can go bad easily, attract flies, or become a breeding ground for many infections and diseases.

Thus, it is better to pack a lunch of your own with some fruits and veggies on the side, instead of relying on salad bars.

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