If Darjeeling is the “Queen of the Hills”, then the restaurants are cosy cosy drawing rooms where tourists warm up with soup, momos, and mountain views. Here is the carefully curated list of handpicked, Goa-free, purely Darjeeling-style food trails through the Top 10 restaurants in Darjeeling mentioned by mapunseen.
A Quick Highlight of the Restaurants in Darjeeling
| Restaurant | What to do | Vibe |
| Noryang Tibetan Kitchen | Momos, ema datshi, shyapta | Small, very warm, homely |
| Foodaholic Cafe | Italian, Korean, coffee | Simple cafe, cosy |
| Chop Chop Restaurant | Chinese mains, Seafood | Modern, family-friendly |
| Kunga Restaurant | Momos, Thukpa, Tibetan platters | Tiny, iconic, always busy |
| Washington Restaurant | North Indian & Quick Bites | Clean, minimal, local favourite |
| Keventer’s | Meat platters, tea, and English breakfast | Best rooftop views |
| Dekevas Restaurant | Bibimbap, ramen, Tibetan dishes | Aesthetic, artsy, cosy |
| The Park Restaurant | Indian, Chinese, Thai | Vintage, slightly upscale |
| Nanking Restaurant & Bakery | Chinese, Italian, baked treats | Casual, bakery-plus-restaurant |
| Food House Darjeeling | Jhol momo, thukpa, Chinese | Simple, lively, very local |
The Restaurants in Darjeeling: A Mini Food Trail
1. Noryang Tibetan Kitchen
Tucked in Lumbugaon, this place feels like eating at a Tibetan friend’s home. Reviewers rave about the chicken shyapta, momos, lemon honey tea and ema datshi, all cooked fresh by the owner herself. Expect a wait, but the warmth and flavours make it totally worth it.
2. Foodaholic Cafe
Perfect for cafe explorers, Foodaholic serves Korean, Chinese, Italian, and cafe-style bites with an Instagram-friendly and warm ambience. It’s great for casual dates, coffee, or a light lunch between sightseeing stops, and is known for being budget-friendly for solo travellers.
3. Chop Chop Restaurant
Chop Chop is all about Chinese cuisine and serious seafood – crab, think lobster, squid and prawn, along with classic noodles and momos. It combines more than “100 years of Chinese expertise” in recipes with hygienic indoor setups, perfect for family dinners after a long walk around the hills.
4. Kunga Restaurant
Kunga is almost a pilgrimage for foodies. This small, family-run Tibetan joint on Gandhi Road is well-known for thukpa, beef momos, fried rice and piping hot soups. Expect queues in peak hours, but it is mainly called one of the best places to eat in Darjeeling.
5. Washington Restaurant
A bit of a hidden hamlet near the Clock Tower, Washington, now offers affordable North Indian and quick bites in a clean, minimalistic space. Locals love its polite staff, quick service and comforting, hassle-free meals, best for a solid or heavy dinner without hunting too much.
6. Keventer’s
An institution since 1911, Keventer’s is well-known for its colonial-style English sausages, breakfast, ham and classic Darjeeling tea. The real magic is the rooftop terrace overlooking Chowrasta and, on clear days, the Kanchenjunga range, the ideal place for a leisurely breakfast with a view.
7. Dekevas Restaurant
Dekevas is a small five-table restaurant serving Tibetan, Korean, Nepali and Japanese dishes. Their ramen, bibimbap, momos and cheesecakes get constant love from travellers, who also appreciate the humble staff and cosy interiors.
8. The Park Restaurant
Situated on Laden-La Road opposite SBI, The Park is one of Darjeeling’s older, famous restaurants and a favourite for Indian, Thai curries and Indo-Chinese dishes. With its vintage decorations nd large seating area, it is a good choice for big groups or those craving something slightly more delicious without going to a luxurious place.
9. Nanking Restaurant & Bakery
Nanking blends bakery and restaurant under one roof, serving Chinese soups, Italian pasta, Nepali and Tibetan dishes, including interesting bakes like “money bag momos” and artisanal pastries. Diners praise it for value-for-money meals and a relaxed ambience, homely near Laden-La Road.
10. Food House Darjeeling
Regulars’ favourite near Chowrasta, Food House is known for its thukpa, jhol momos, chicken thali and Chinese mains at very budget-friendly prices. Feedbacks highlight its simple first-floor setting, Nepali music, friendly staff and what many recognise as some of the best dining places in Darjeeling.
Conclusion
From steaming bowls of thukpa at Noryan and Kunga to rooftop breakfasts at Keventer’s and delicious seafood at Chop Chop, these places to eat in Darjeeling are as layered as its misty hills. Whether you are a backpacker on a budget or a couple seeking scenic, relaxed meals, the list of top 10 restaurants in Darjeeling gives you enough variety for a long trip and enough reasons to come back hungry.
FAQs
- What is the famous food of Darjeeling?
- Momos, thukpa, Tibetan meals, and bakery items are some of the famous foods in Darjeeling.
- Are these restaurants in Darjeeling family-friendly?
- Yes, many restaurants in Darjeeling welcome groups and families.
- Do these restaurants offer a vegetarian option?
- Absolutely, almost many restaurants offer a variety of veg dishes?
