Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Shillong’s mist and rolling hills set the mood, and food naturally fits into that atmosphere. Restaurants in Shillong might be a small café tucked into Laitumkhrah or a noisy dhaba in Police Bazar, each giving its own glimpse of everyday life here. You’ll find pork curries, momos, and local rice dishes on many menus, while North Indian meals and continental staples are just as easy to track down. Some places keep things homely and simple, others mix in live music or a more café-like vibe, and vegetarian spots hold their own, too.
Top 10 Restaurants In Shillong
Restaurants in Shillong bring together Khasi cooking, North Indian plates, Asian influences, and the usual café staples. Many of these spots sit close to the old bazaars or inside buildings with colonial charm, and the mix of hearty food and easygoing spaces reflects the city’s character.
1. City Hut Family Dhaba
Photo: Саша Алалыкин / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
City Hut Family Dhaba sits just off Oakland Road near Police Bazar and has become a regular stop in Shillong for people who want a proper, filling meal. The dining hall is big, with brick walls and wood touches that give it warmth even when every table is full. By the weekend, it’s usually full, families at one table, tourists at another, and office groups squeezing in too. The crowd itself says why people keep trusting the place. The menu leans mainly on North Indian and Chinese dishes, and portions are generous.
Location: Off Oakland Road, near Police Bazar, Shillong
Top Food to Order: Crispy chicken roll with creamy white sauce, North Indian and Chinese dishes
Suggested Read: Best Foods In Guwahati
2. Cafe Shillong
Photo: Angela Roma / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Café Shillong in Laitumkhrah is often mentioned as the spot that set off much of the café culture in the city. It sits on a busy street near Dhankheti, and from the outside, you can usually hear the music before you step in. Inside, the lighting is warm, the furniture simple, and the playlist heavy on rock, giving it an easy but lively feel. The menu jumps between Indian, pan-Asian, and continental cooking. Noodles and momos turn up just as often as burgers or sandwiches, while Khasi pork dishes and the café’s pork ribs have become favourites for bigger meals.
Location: Laitumkhrah, near Dhankheti, Shillong
Top Food to Order: Khasi pork ribs, momos, noodles, burgers, sandwiches
3. Dylan’s Cafe
Photo: Robin Stickel / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Among restaurants in Shillong, Dylan’s Café in Dhankheti is easy to spot. Named after Bob Dylan, the space is lined with posters and murals, and the playlists keep the theme alive, giving the café its distinctive energy. It attracts a mix of locals and travellers who drop in for hearty breakfasts, unhurried brunches, or an easy dinner after a day around town. The menu leans toward continental and café fare, with burgers, sandwiches, pancakes, and coffee being the staples, while the cheesecakes and brownies make it just as much a dessert stop.
Location: Dhankheti, Shillong
Top Food to Order: Burgers, sandwiches, pancakes, cheesecakes, brownies
Suggested Read: Best Street Food In Guwahati To Let Your Taste Buds Savour
4. Deja Vu
Photo: Rachel Claire / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Deja Vu has been part of Shillong’s dining scene for years and is still one of the go-to spots for Chinese and pan-Asian food. It sits on the third floor near Police Point in Laitumkhrah, easy enough to find if you’re moving through the busy student area. The dining room is big, with tables that suit families or larger groups who come here for long meals. The menu sticks to the kind of “Shillong-style Chinese” many locals have grown up with: fried rice, chowmein, chicken drumsticks, and pork ribs remain favourites.
Location: Third floor near Police Point, Laitumkhrah, Shillong
Top Food to Order: Fried rice, chowmein, chicken drumsticks, pork ribs (Shillong-style Chinese)
5. Lamee Restaurant
Photo: Wendy Wei / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Lamee Restaurant, inside Lovi’s Arcade on GS Road, has become one of the well-known restaurants in Shillong for anyone spending time in Police Bazar. Its location makes it easy for travellers staying nearby or for shoppers who want a meal without leaving the main market. The menu covers Indian, Chinese, and Thai dishes, so groups with mixed tastes rarely struggle to order. Butter chicken, paneer curries, fried rice, and spring rolls are ordered most often, with portions that are filling and priced reasonably. The dining hall is bright and open, which works well for families, while office-goers and tourists often appreciate how quickly food arrives.
Location: Lovi’s Arcade, GS Road, Police Bazar, Shillong
Top Food to Order: Butter chicken, paneer curries, fried rice, spring rolls
Suggested Read: Discovering The Best Food In Gangtok
6. Jiva Veg
Photo: Zechen Li / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Jiva Veg is known as one of the reliable vegetarian restaurants in Shillong, often chosen by people who want a completely meat-free meal. It sits on GS Road, just above Barbeque Chinese Restaurant, making it easy to reach for families, office-goers, and travellers staying in the city centre. The menu focuses on North Indian cooking, with paneer butter masala, dal tadka, and a variety of thalis forming the core of what people often order. Their bread basket is another strong point, soft rotis, naans, and kulchas that pair well with rich gravies.
Location: GS Road, above Barbeque Chinese Restaurant, Shillong
Top Food to Order: Paneer butter masala, dal tadka, variety of thalis, soft rotis and naans
7. Trattoria
Photo: Nguyễn Mẫn / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Trattoria, inside the MUDA Complex at Police Bazar, has become one of the most talked-about restaurants in Shillong for anyone wanting to try Khasi home-style food. The place is small, simple, and without frills, yet its steady reputation comes from the way traditional dishes are cooked and served without pretension. The highlight here is jadoh, rice simmered in pork stock, which many pair with sides such as dohneiiong, pork with black sesame, or dohshain, pork with mustard leaves. Unlike larger multi-cuisine restaurants, Trattoria keeps its focus on Khasi cooking, and that focus is why it draws both locals and curious travellers.
Location: MUDA Complex, Police Bazar, Shillong
Top Food to Order: Jadoh (rice in pork stock), dohneiiong (pork with black sesame), dohshain (pork with mustard leaves)
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Shillong
8. Qzine
Photo: Engin Akyurt / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Qzine, near Thana Road, has become a familiar stop for people staying around Police Bazar who want a meal without searching too far. The location makes it convenient, and its straightforward setup appeals to families, groups, and visitors alike. The menu mixes Indian staples with Shillong-style Chinese dishes, so diners can go from gravies and breads to lighter noodles or fried snacks in one sitting. Tandoori chicken, paneer tikka, fried rice, and chowmein are among the plates most often ordered, each served in portions that suit sharing.
Location: Near Thana Road, Police Bazar, Shillong
Top Food to Order: Tandoori chicken, paneer tikka, fried rice, chowmein
9. ML 05 Cafe
Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
ML 05 Café takes its name from Meghalaya’s vehicle registration code and has built a reputation as one of the livelier restaurants in Shillong, especially with road-trippers and bikers. Found near Golf Links, it has a big, open layout with rustic décor that gives it a travel-inspired look. Young crowds often drop in, but families find it just as comfortable. The menu leans toward continental café food: burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and shakes are the staples, with portions large enough to share. Groups usually order a mix of snacks, making it a good place for stopovers after long drives.
Location: Near Golf Links, Shillong
Top Food to Order: Burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, shakes
Suggested Read: Shillong Travel Guide
10. The Wok
Photo: Alexander Afanasyev / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Wok has grown into one of the better-known restaurants in Shillong, often chosen for its Chinese and pan-Asian food that has become part of the city’s everyday dining. Its main outlet is in Lachumiere, though branches across town make it easy to find, no matter where you are staying. The setting is straightforward, with enough space for families to sit comfortably and for office groups to gather after work. Crispy chicken, fried rice, and chowmein remain the most ordered dishes, usually paired with starters like momos or spring rolls.
Location: Lachumiere, Shillong (with branches across town)
Top Food to Order: Crispy chicken, fried rice, chowmein, momos, spring rolls
Exploring restaurants in Shillong is as exciting as visiting its waterfalls and markets. From homely Khasi meals at Trattoria to multi-cuisine options at City Hut, and cozy cafés like Dylan’s or ML 05, the city offers diverse dining experiences. Whether for quick snacks or leisurely family dinners in Police Bazar, these spots showcase Shillong’s vibrant culture. With TripXL, you can easily plan your meals and make the most of your trip.
Cover Photo: viarami / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
