Explore Top 10 Cafes In Darjeeling For Coffee, Tea And Food

Cafes in Darjeeling fit easily into the town’s routine, where travellers sit with tea, coffee, and fresh bakes in the cool mountain air. They are spread around Mall Road, Chowrasta, and the quieter hillside lanes, each with its own character. Some occupy colonial-era buildings that open to views of Kanchenjunga, while others are small family-run kitchens known for plain breakfasts and quick snacks that suit travellers on the move. Well-known names include Glenary’s and Keventer’s, which carry years of local history. Sonam’s Kitchen has become a favourite for early risers looking for eggs and strong coffee, while Gatty’s Café stays open late with music and informal gatherings.

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Top 10 Cafes In Darjeeling

Cafes in Darjeeling serve hot drinks with views of the hills, making them easy stops while sightseeing. From old bakeries to small breakfast spots, each café has its own character.

1. Glenary’s Bakery & Café

Cappuccino with latte art served at Glenary’s Bakery & Café, one of the top cafes in Darjeeling.

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Glenary’s Bakery & Café has been part of Darjeeling’s food scene for decades and is still one of the town’s best-known stops. Set on Nehru Road close to Chowrasta, the building carries its colonial-era look with wood interiors and wide glass windows that open to the hills. The upstairs café serves full breakfasts along with sandwiches, pasta, and continental plates. Downstairs, the bakery counter is always busy with fresh bread, cakes, pastries, and cookies that many travellers buy to carry on their journeys. In the evenings, the café turns quieter but inviting, with warm lighting and occasional live music.

Good For: Breakfast, full meals, and packaged bakes for travel
Average Price: ₹1,200
Top Food To Order: Cappuccino, continental small plates, fresh baked

2. Keventer’s

White ceramic cup of cappuccino with leaf latte art placed on a wooden table.

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Keventer’s is one of the oldest cafés in Darjeeling and is especially known for its breakfasts served with mountain views. Set at the entrance of Mall Road, it has been around since the colonial period and has kept much of its vintage character. The rooftop seating is what most visitors look for, as on clear days it gives an open view of Kanchenjunga while you eat. The food is straightforward: plates of sausages, ham, bacon, fried eggs, sandwiches, and mugs of hot cocoa. Many travellers stop here first thing in the morning before moving on to Tiger Hill or Batasia Loop, since the service is fast and the portions generous.

Good For: Hearty breakfast before sightseeing
Average Price: ₹400 – 600
Top Food To Order: Rooftop breakfast platter, hot cocoa, bacon sandwiches

3. Sonam’s Kitchen

Modern café interior with marble tables, neon wolf wall art, one of the best cafes in Darjeeling.

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Sonam’s Kitchen is a small, family-run café on Dr Zakir Hussain Road, close to Chowrasta. It has become well known among travellers for simple, clean breakfasts that keep people coming back. The menu leans on familiar comfort food: pancakes, French toast, hash browns, and different egg preparations made with fresh ingredients. Hot drinks are a draw too, from strong coffee to ginger-lemon-honey tea, which many order before heading out for a day of sightseeing. There are only a handful of tables, so it often gets crowded in the mornings. The owners keep it personal, chatting with diners and giving small bits of guidance about where to go in town.

Good For: Backpackers and early risers seeking light meals
Average Price: ₹400 – 700
Top Food To Order: Pancakes, French toast, ginger-lemon-honey tea

Suggested Read: Explore The Best Food In Darjeeling

4. Tom & Jerry’s Café

Fresh espresso pouring into two brown cups from a professional coffee machine.

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Tom & Jerry’s Café sits a short walk from the Mall and often draws budget travellers as well as families stopping for a quick meal. Its bright walls, with cartoon sketches and posters, create a casual look different from the older cafés around. The menu is broad, with pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and hot drinks such as coffee or cocoa. Plates are usually large, so visitors find the meals filling without being costly. Service is quick, which helps those stopping in between sightseeing or shopping who don’t want to wait long. Unlike some of Darjeeling’s bigger cafés, Tom & Jerry’s keeps its space small and casual.

Good For: Budget-friendly group meals
Average Price: ₹1,000
Top Food To Order: Waffles, pasta, hot chocolate

5. Himalayan Java Coffee

Himalayan Java Coffee interior with a brown wooden dining table and decor, one of the famous cafes in Darjeeling.

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Himalayan Java Coffee adds a newer flavour to Darjeeling’s café scene and has become a stop for people who care about how their coffee is made. The outlet belongs to a Nepal-based chain, but in Darjeeling, it has built its own following. It sits close to the Mall, so it is easy to step in during sightseeing. Drinks range from espresso, cappuccino, latte, and pour-over coffee, while the food menu offers light items like cheesecakes, brownies, and sandwiches. The focus here is on steady coffee quality and trained staff, which sets it apart from the older cafés in town.

Good For: Coffee enthusiasts and digital nomads
Average Price: ₹700 – 1,000
Top Food To Order: Espresso, cappuccino, cheesecake

6. Nathmull Tea Lounge

Cosy café interior with chalkboard menus, wooden counter seating, and warm hanging lights.

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Nathmull Tea Lounge is closely tied to Darjeeling’s tea heritage and is often described as part of the café culture here. Set near the Mall, its wide windows open to valley views that match the pace of a long tea session. The lounge focuses on teas sourced from local estates, served either by the cup or pot. Visitors can try first flush, second flush, and autumnal harvests, each with its own flavour and strength. Staff usually guide guests through the differences, pointing out how the teas vary in body and aroma. The setting is tidy but relaxed, with wood tones and views of the hills giving it an unhurried mood.

Good For: Tea lovers seeking authentic tastings
Average Price: ₹800 – 1,200
Top Food To Order: First flush Darjeeling tea, tea cakes, tea platters

7. Gatty’s Café

Gatty’s Café interior with black wooden tables, chairs, and hanging lights, one of the famous cafes in Darjeeling.

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Gatty’s Café sits a short walk from the centre of town and has a way of changing with the day. In the mornings and afternoons, it feels like a quiet hangout where people drop in for coffee, a full plate of pasta, or just time to read. By evening, the mood is completely different. Local bands and visiting musicians often set up here, and the café turns into one of the few places in Darjeeling that stays lively late at night. The food is varied and filling, handmade pasta, pizzas, mezze platters, and a mix of continental dishes made with fresh ingredients.

Good For: Groups and music lovers
Average Price: ₹1,200 – 1,500
Top Food To Order: Handmade pasta, mezze platter, Darjeeling fusion pizza

Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Darjeeling In December

8. Frank Ross Café

Barista working behind a modern café counter with a chalkboard menu and hanging lights.

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Frank Ross Café, right beside the pharmacy of the same name on Mall Road, has long been a simple option for food in Darjeeling. Travellers often stop here because it is central, quick, and vegetarian-friendly. The menu keeps to straightforward items: dosas, momos, parathas, sandwiches, and bowls of soup, along with tea and coffee. Nothing elaborate, but it covers the basics well enough. The room itself is plain and tidy, with little décor, which makes it practical for families or visitors who just want a meal before continuing with shopping or sightseeing. Service is usually fast, even when Chowrasta is crowded, and that speed is one of the reasons people return.

Good For: Quick, wholesome vegetarian meals
Average Price: ₹500 – 800
Top Food To Order: Veg momos, masala dosa, filter coffee

9. Hot Stimulating Café

Bright café interior with white walls, hanging lights, wooden counters, and teal seating, one of the popular cafes in Darjeeling.

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Hot Stimulating Café is a small stop on Lebong Cart Road, not far from the zoo, and is often busy with people pausing during walks. It has a few tables outside that face the valleys, and the view is part of its draw. The menu is short but steady, plates of momos, bowls of thukpa, and hot tea served quickly and without fuss. The food is simple, the portions are filling, and the mountain air makes it feel even better. Prices are some of the lowest you’ll find in town, which keeps the café popular with both locals and visitors.

Good For: Scenic pit stop while sightseeing
Average Price: ₹200 – 400
Top Food To Order: Chicken momos, thukpa, milk tea

Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit In Darjeeling For Couples

10. Boney’s Snack Bar

Close-up of milk being poured to create detailed latte art in a white coffee cup.

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Boney’s Snack Bar, set on Ladenla Road near the Capital Market, has been around for years and continues to draw both locals and travellers who want a plain, filling meal. It doesn’t rely on décor or views, just steady food served quickly. The menu leans on sandwiches, with chicken and cheese versions being the most popular. Burgers, fries, and strong coffee are also staples, and the portions are large enough to count as a full meal rather than just a snack. Many visitors step in after shopping or sightseeing since the service is quick and the place is easy to find.

Good For: Filling, on-the-go meals without frills
Average Price: ₹400 – 700
Top Food To Order: Chicken sandwich, burger & fries, strong black coffee

Darjeeling’s charm goes beyond hills and tea gardens—its cafés tell their own story. From Glenary’s colonial charm to Sonam’s homestyle comfort, each café offers something unique. Sip estate teas at Nathmull’s or enjoy coffee at Himalayan Java. Whether you want a meal with a view or a quick bite, cafés in Darjeeling reflect the town’s many moods. TripXL helps you plan routes and stops for the perfect café-hopping experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which café in Darjeeling is best for breakfast?

Keventer’s is known for its rooftop breakfasts of sausages, eggs, and hot cocoa. Sonam’s Kitchen draws regulars with pancakes, French toast, and strong coffee served in a plain, home-style setting. Both open early, so they are practical stops before heading to Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, or walking along Mall Road.

Are there vegetarian-friendly cafés in Darjeeling?

Frank Ross Café on Mall Road is well known for vegetarian meals such as momos, parathas, dosas, and sandwiches. Glenary’s and Tom & Jerry’s also keep vegetarian plates on their menus. Most cafés in Darjeeling cook for mixed diets, so vegetarians can find suitable options easily, from small eateries to larger heritage cafés.

Which cafés stay open late in Darjeeling?

Most places close by evening, but Gatty’s Café is known for running later. It mixes food with live music and drinks, drawing travellers who want something after other cafés shut. Inside, there are board games, shelves of books, and a fireplace, making it a practical choice for night gatherings.

Can I find vegan options in Darjeeling cafés?

Yes, though the selection is small. At Frank Ross Café, dosas or parathas can be cooked without ghee or curd. Himalayan Java keeps soy or oat milk for coffee. In smaller cafés, it usually depends on asking; most will leave out butter or cheese if you request it.

Do cafés in Darjeeling offer good views?

Some cafés are known for their outlooks. Keventer’s rooftop faces Kanchenjunga, Glenary’s upstairs section looks over the valley, and Hot Stimulating Café sets tables along the hillside. These spots combine simple meals with views, which makes them popular for breakfast, tea, or a quick snack between walks.

10 Charming Cafes In Darjeeling Offering Mountain Views, Fresh Brews, And Memorable Food Experiences