Shimla

Shimla

The former summer capital of the British in India, and the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla have been blessed with all the natural bounties which one can think of. It has got a scenic location; it is surrounded

by green hills with snow capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era create an aura which is very different from other hill.

Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains its colonial heritage, with grand old buildings; among them are the stately Viceregal Lodge, charming iron lamp posts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops and eateries, is the centre of attraction of the town, and Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of Patiala's escapades, offers a view of distant snow clad peaks. 

Shimla is ideally located, and though there is an air service to the town, it is best reached by road that takes in the charms of the HIMALAYAN countryside at its best. There is a sense of nostalgia about SHIMLA, with its old bungalows and their gabled roofs and beautiful gardens.
Also Known As: The Summer Refuge

Best Season / Best time to visit Shimla

Shimla is beautiful throughout the year and can be visited in any month; however, September to June will be the best months for travelling to Shimla.

• Winter (October to February) are ideal for enjoying snowfall, skiing and ice skating. Average temperature during winter is 8°C and can dip as low as -2°C. This is a good time for honeymooning.

• Summer (March to June) are the suitable time to enjoy the scenic beauty. Temperature ranges between 15°C to 30°C and is ideal for indulging in paragliding, trekking, camping and rafting. There will be no snowfall, but snow can be enjoyed on very high altitudes.

• Monsoon (July to mid September) are not the best time to visit as excessive rain can result in land slides.

While summers are good for adventure and sightseeing, winters is perfect for honeymooning and enjoying snow. The natural beauty is at its maximum during monsoons but travel can be made difficult due to unexpected landslides.

Weather during the Year

Winters are cold and chilly winds from the upper Himalayas makes the place really cold. Around Christmas or last week of December Shimla gets snowfall. Temperature varies from 15 ~27^o C in summers and in winters it’s in the range 0~17 ^o C.

What to Wear

Being Hill station the weather is almost cool at Shimla. Warm clothes are required throughout the year. The summers are marked by rainfalls. The nights of summers are cool and light warm clothes are required during this time.  In the Winters Pullovers along with Warm Jacket is necessity. One has to take good care of shoes as most of the places are visited on foot, and slopes of Shimla are very steep. In the winters and mainly during snowfall shoes of firm grip are required, so that walking on snow becomes easy.

Where to Purchase

The best shopping area in Shimla are The Mall, Lower Bazaar , Tibetan Bazaar and Lakkar Bazaar. There is an enormous range of goods that Shimla has to offer. This includes handicrafts, wood, and metalwork, shawls, pullovers, local tweeds, Wooden articles and Toys, caps, Tibetan carpets and pickles, jams and squashes. The Lakkar Bazaar is famous for its Wooden Crafts and Articles can be purchased from this area. There are many Emporium's and Showrooms on the Mall from where one can buy Himachali Shawls, Pahari Cap, Pullovers handicrafts and toys etc. The day today items can be purchased from the shops in the lower bazaar. The Tibetan Market is famous for imported goods mainly electronics goods and fancy items.

What to Eat

Mall has many good restaurants serving Punjabi,South Indian,Chinese and Continental Foods. One can find good Punjabi Dhabas and Vaishnav Dhabas near the mall and lower bazaar having reasonable rates. There are many Fast Food Centers on the Mall, where Burgers, Pizzas, Patties etc are available.

Specialty of the District

Shimla is famous for its Scenic Beauty, Apples & Wooden Craft. Among special dishes Sidku or Sidu is very famous in upper Shimla hills. It is a thick fermented Roti of wheat flour with paste of opium seeds ( afimdana) mixed with either gur or salt added to it which makes it very delicious. It is always taken with home made pure ghee. Patandey are made of very thin paste of wheat flour and are eaten with dal and ghee or kheer.(made of rice and milk).

Getting There

Air
Nearest airport to Shimla is at Jubberhatti, 26 km from Shimla. It has connecting flights to Delhi and Kullu. The nearby Chandigarh airport is, however, more handy as it is connected to all the major airports in India.

Road
Shimla is well connected by road with Kalka, Chandigarh, Ambala, Delhi, Dehradun, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Jammu and other towns of Punjab and Haryana. Following are the road distances from Shimla to major cities of India:

Place	Distance (Km.)
Kalka	90
Chandigarh	117
Delhi	370
Ludhiana	220
Dehradun	240
Kullu	240
Manali	280
Kalpa	260
Narkanda	64
Mandi	156
Dharamshala	280
Nahan	140

Taxi services are available on a seat- basis between Shimla, and Kalka. There is deluxe bus service between Shimla and Delhi. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation also runs deluxe buses between Shimla and Delhi.

Train
Shimla is connected by a broad gauge line up to Kalka. From Kalka to Shimla, a narrow gauge line covers 96 kilometers, of track. The journey by train, which takes about six hours, crossing 103 tunnels is one of the finest ways of enjoying the scenic beauty. There is another option for a fast train Shiwalik Express or a delightful ride in the Rail Car.

The Rail Car takes about 4 hours. Kalka has direct rail connections with Delhi, Calcutta and Amritsar.

Places to see in Shimla

Christ Church & St. Michael's Cathedral: 

Built in 1846-1857, Christ Church is the second oldest church of Northern India. The Church overlooks the ridge and is one of the landmarks of Shimla. The clocks on Christ Church were added later but none of them are functional now. The Church's exquisite beauty comes with the stained glasses that are fitted on its windows. You can discreetly have a look inside the church, or attend English-language services every Sunday during the tourist season. The town's other important churches are St. Michael's Cathedral and Roman Catholic Cathedral, which is just off the Mall.

Jakhu Temple: 

Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is at an altitude of 8048 feet above sea level near the highest point of Shimla ridge. It offers a panoramic view over the surrounding valleys, out to the snowcapped peaks, and over the town itself. The temple is a 45-minute walk from the Ridge, one can also hire pony or taxi to visit temple. Jakhu is a vantage point for witnessing the changing skyline as the sun rises or sets. 

Sankat Mochan: 

On Shimla-Kalka road at a distance of around 5 KMs is the famous "Lord Hanuman" temple. Situated at an altitude of 1,975m, it commands an excellent view of Shimla town. Temple has beautiful campus and Langar is held every Sunday.

Tara Devi: 

On Shimla-Kalka road this holy place is accessible by rail, bus and car (11-km). From the station / road - one can visit the temple on foot around 5 km walk among dense forests. Temple is accessible through motorable road also and it’s around 20 KMs journey from the town. Situated on top of a hill that faces Shimla, the temple offers panoramic views of Shimla town and surrounding hills. A thick forest of oak and rhododendron surrounds it. It is famous picnic spot.

Kali Bari:
The temple is situated near to The Mall and its 5 minutes walk from The Mall.The temple is dedicated to Shyamala Devi (Shimla is named after this goddess), an incarnation of Goddess Kali. Temple faces heavy rush during Diwali and Durga Puja as many Bengalis visit this temple.

Himachal State Museum & Library: 

The museum is located 2.5-km west of the scandal point and opens daily except on Mondays and public holidays. It has got a good collection of ancient historical sculptures, paintings, coins, photos and other items from all over the state as well as outside it. It has also got a library, which houses many historical books and manuscripts. Visiting hours are from 10 AM to 5 PM and it is closed on Monday and gazette holidays.

Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens: 

On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge, which is also known as "Rashtrapati Niwas". This magnificent building was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. This lodge was completed in 1888 and it is said that every brick for the building was carried by mules. This is a six-story building and is surrounded by well-maintained gardens and lawns. The lodge has now been converted into Institute of Advanced Study and is further 2-km from State Museum. 

Indian Institute of Advanced Studies: 

Housed in the former Viceregal Lodge, it was built in 1888. The style of architecture is English Renaissance, the masonry of the walling is light blue limestone and the wrought stonework is done in sandstone in a beautiful light gray tint. It has magnificent lawns.  The entry in the institute is by ticket and only on Sundays the grounds are open for the public. 

The Ridge: 

The large open space in the heart of town presents excellent view of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks - the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church and the new - Tudor Library building is worth seeing.

The Mall:

Most of Shimla's landmarks are located here. The Mall further joins the Ridge at the ‘Scandal Point' of Kipling's Shimla, where a statue of the nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai has been erected. This is the main shopping centre of Shimla with restaurants. This is especially pleasant in the evenings when the views and lights are wonderful. The Gaiety Theatre, which is a reproduction of an old British theatre is a center of cultural activities. A passenger lift of HPTDC can be taken from the Cart Road and the Mall. Lakkar Bazaar adjacent to the Ridge is popular for its wood-crafts and souvenirs. 

Prospect Hill:

Crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi 15-minutes walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road. The hill at an altitude of 2,155m offers a spectacular view of the area. 

Summer Hill: 

At an altitude of 1,283m, 1 KM from boilaeuganj.Summer Hill is a picturesque spot on Shimla-Kalka Railway line offering shady walks in quiet surroundings. The Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Shimla lived in the elegant Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur located here. HP University is also situated over here. 

Potter Hill:  

Situated at a distance of 1 Km from Summer Hill is very beautiful Picnic spot with all the natural beauty. Ecological Park is situated here.  

Glenn:
Its about 4 km walk from the Ridge through dense Forests, a sprightly stream flows through the Glen forests at an altitude of 1830 meters. It is a secluded picnic spot.

Annandale:

Beyond the Glen is Annandale, another picnic spot. It is covered with deodar forests and was once the playgrounds of Shimla, where racing, polo and cricket entertained the Britishers. Surrounded by deodar trees, this glade has an ancient temple on the edge. 

Elysium Hill: 

On the road leading through Lakkar Bazaar, houses the famous Auckland House, the former residence of Viceroy Lord Auckland. It is a well-known girls’ school now. Nearby is the Stirling Castle, now an orphanage for the Tibetan children and a center for the Tibetan exiles who have settled locally.

Recreation:

Shimla has three cinema halls, near to Mall and Hindi movies are played mostly. One can visit the Roller Skating hall on the left side of the Lakkar Bazaar (open for all) and can do roller skating on melodious music. Mall has few Billiard Rooms. There are shops offering variety of Video Games. In the Tourist Season various entertainment programs are organized such as Summer Festival in June, Ice skating in Dec-Jan and Winter Carnival. Most of the time one or the other exhibition or craft fare is held around mall area.

Museums/Galleries

Shimla houses a few excellent museums. The State Museum is perhaps the most well-known.

State Museum, Chaura Maidan (Atop the Inverarm Hill, in the general vicinity of The Oberoi Cecil hotel), +91 177 280-5044. Open Tu-Su, 10AM-5PM. Housed in a reconstructed Raj-style building, the State Museum displays a collection of around 10,000 artifacts gathered from all over Himachal Pradesh. The Pahari miniatures and 6th-11th century Gupta sculptures are especially impressive. Entry Rs 10 (Cameras free, flash prohibited).

Photo Art Gallery, Potter's Hill (Near HP Univ.), +91 94180-11172. The gallery displays more than 20,000 photographs of Himachal taken by the celebrated photographer Inder Pal. It's a wonderful place to explore and learn more about the beauty, culture and flora and fauna of this Himalayan state. In addition, Potter's Hill is scenic area, so as well as visiting the gallery, visitors can also enjoy hiking, climbing, observing wild life and enjoy the fresh Himalayan air. Entry Rs 5 (Cameras free, flash prohibited).

 

Sites Nearby

Rampur (80KM):

On the Hindustan Tibet Road. Once the capital of the Princely State of Bushahr, the town is situated on the banks of Satluj river. The whole area is a maze of lanes, shops and temples. In the month of November, the Lavi Fair is organized here. Dumgir Buddhist Temple,  Padam Palace,  Raghunath Temple,  Ayodhya temple and Narsingh Temple, are worth visiting. Himachal Tourism runs a tourist Complex and air conditioned Cafe, Satluj.

Wild Flower Hall (13KM):

On the Mahasu range, at Charabra, 13 km from Shimla, is the Wild Flower Hall situated at an altitude of 2,498 m. Nestling among picturesque sylvan surroundings, the Wild Flower Hall commands a breathtaking view of the snows. A major fire damaged it in 1993. Serving as a hotel today, it attracts many tourists who wish to revisit the grandeur of a bygone era. 

Mashobra (10KM):

Situated on Shimla-Naldehra road at a height of 2149 mt . A place of unique beauty, Mashobra is an ideal interlude beneath the oaks and the pines. Featuring beautiful gardens spattered with the daffodils, hyacinths, asphodels and celandines, it is a popular weekend resort, dotted with delightful villas and innumerable picnic spots. Goddess Durga temple is worth seeing from here, a track leads down to Sipur, which is an exquisite glade shaded by ancient deodar trees. A fair is held here every April/May. About 3 km from Mashobra is the lovely resort of Craignano.

Kufri (16KM):

Kufri, at distance of 16 km from Shimla and at an altitude of 2510 m above sea level, is a site offering some famous hikes and wonderful snow for skiing in winters. An enjoyable walk leads up to the Mahasu Peak. The Himalayan Nature Park here has a good collection of animals and birds found in the region.

Narkanda (64KM):

Narkanda, offers wonderful slopes for skiing. At an elevation of 2708 m, it has dense pine forests. Hatu peak, 8 km from Narkanda, provides a striking panorama of the plains below. Narkanda offers spectacular views of snow ranges.  Ancient temple of Hatu Mata is alive with skiers. HPTDC runs Hotel Hatu and in winters short skiing courses are organized.

Fagu (22KM):

Fagu Situated on Hindustan-Tibet Road (22-km), at a height of 2,450m Fagu is gifted with some enchanting views. Himachal Tourism runs the Hotel peach Blossom.

Chail (43KM) :

Chail  is a lush green setting and was the former capital of the Patiala State. It has the world’s highest cricket ground at a height of 2250 m, built in 1893. It is also a hiker’s paradise and there is a wildlife sanctuary at a distance of 3 km from here. Himachal Tourism runs the Palace Hotel (Earlier the Palace of Maharaja Of Patiala)

Sarahan:

On Hindustan Tibet Road beyond Rampur is a small village worth visiting. It provides a spectacular view of Shrikhand Mahadev (5227 m) and hiking opportunities to the nearby villages such as Ranwin and Bashal Peak. The Bhimakali temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, is the finest example of Indo-Tibetan architecture. As per legend, this is where goddess Shakti destroyed the mythical demon king, Bhasmasur. It is a highly revered place of pilgrimage. Saharan is the gateway to Kinnaur. A Pheasant Breading Centre and stadium are worth visiting. The area is a rich bowl of quality apples and other varieties of delicious fruits.

Tattapani: 

51 km from Shimla, is a spot well known for hot sulfurous springs. Shiv Goofa at Saraur (4 Km) is also worth visiting. One can enjoy fishing.

Naldehra:

Naldehra, at an altitude of 2050 m and 23 km from Shimla on Shimla- Tattapani road, houses the oldest and the highest  golf course in India. In the middle of the course is a temple, Mahunag Mandir. It was a favorite pastime spot of Lord Curzon. 

Kotgarh:

It lays 82 kms from Shimla and is the apple heartland of Himachal. It was here that Satyanand Stokes, an American missionary, first sowed the apple seed brought from back home and pioneered the apple cultivation revolution in Himachal. Today Kotgarh continues to be one of the most intensive apple growing areas in the country with acres of orchards lining the slopes of this untouched dreamland. .The beautiful house with all modern amenities that one can
think of takes one by surprise. Situated in the midst of countless acres of rolling orchards, The River View Cottage offers twin bedded luxury accommodation in the lap of solitude. The view of the Sutlej River during the day and the enchanting lights of this beautiful valley at night are a photographer's delight. The house also has a library to offer where one can read the Stokes family history, it being closely associated with the history of Himachal itself. In the evening one can explore Mr. Singha's impressive wine collection and savor some interesting apple wines too ! The meals offered also include tasting some unique Pahari cuisine specially prepared under Mrs. Singha's expertise. If the explorer's instinct overtakes you, there are various options of fascinating one-day excursions and soft-treks around Kotgarh.

Hatkoti:

KOTI (104 Km) 1400 m: Motorable on Shimla-Rohru highway. Famous for ancient temple of Mata Hateswari in the midst of paddy fields on the right bank of the Pabber River. HPTDC runs Hotel Pabber here.

Adventure & Trekking

There are very few places in the world as richly endowed as Himachal Pradesh with its geographical diversity. Shimla is situated in the Shivalik range of Himalayas with combination of low lying hills to gigantic mountains. Shimla district is full of thickly populated pine trees and small rivulets, rivers in deep gorges and placid mountains lakes,  mountain sides draped in snow, and green alpine meadows, all form a part of this immense spectrum. And the possibilities for a wide range of adventure activities are enormous. There are day-hikes by the thousand, and trek routes follow trails that last couple of days or can even extend over few weeks. These vary from gentle walks over easy terrain, to grueling expeditions. There is skiing, heliskiing and ice-skating. There is the thrill of paragliding and the test of stamina with mountain-cycling. You can go camping and fishing and play golf or take a safari by car, jeep or on motorcycle. All you have to do is make up your mind and select your own activity. No special training is required for most things, age is no consideration and all you need is reasonable level of fitness. Equipment, training and instructors are available. And then, all this comes at a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere in the world.

Trekking Routes

Shimla to Kullu over the Jalori Pass (3300 m) 

Shimla to Kullu via  Bashleo Pass (3250 m)

Shimla- Rohroo- Sangla

Sarahan to Sangla. 

Shimla to Hatupeak

Shimla  to the Shalipeak, 

Shimla to Churdhar

Shimla to Chail, 

Shimla to Junga 

Shimla to Tattapani

Fishing: 

Acclaimed as the best sport fish in the world, both Brown and Rainbow Trout are  found in the  Upstreams of Pabbar river in  Rohru, 110Kms from Shimla. There are several spots ideal for fishing. Chirgaon has a trout hatchery and other sites are - Seema, Mandil, Sandsu, Tikri and Dhamvari all are within 5 to 25 km of Rohru .. Mahseer Fishing is available at Tattapani 46 km from Shimla. The licenses for fishing  at Pabbar can be had from  the Officer of Fisheries stationed at Chirgaon.

No fishing is allowed during the following seasons: 

Mahseer  : 1st June to 31st July (General water)
Trout water  :1st November to 31 January.

Skiing:

Skiing is possible at Narkanda and Kufri (January–mid-March). HPTDC organises ski courses of 7 days and 15 days duration at Narkanda. One can get himself registered with the HPTDC for the course and all the facilities of equipment, lodging and boarding are provided.

Golf:

At Naldera, 23 km. from beyond Shimla is one of the oldest golf courses in India. The course, whose topography is absolutely natural, was originally placed by the British Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, at the turn of the centuary. He was so enchanted by the spot that he named one of his daughters 'Naldera' after the spot. This is a par 68, nine hole course which is regarded as one of the most challenging in the country. In the repeat nine, the yardage some - what increases. The links are maintained by Himachal Tourism and accommodation is available at Hotel Golf Glade. There are other hotels in the private sector near Naldera.

Ice Skating: 

The Shimla ice-skating rink has the largest open-air area with naturally frozen ice in this part of the world. The Ice Skating Club has already celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

Ice-skating normally begins in early December and carries on to February. Clear skies and low temperatures provide series of uninterrupted sessions. There are two sessions every day, in the morning and in the evening depending upon the frozen ice on the ground. The hanging balloon on the Municipal Building adjacent to scandal point works as signal, weather the skating is going to held on that day or not.

Membership is available for the season as well as for shorter terms and even for single sessions. Skates are available at the rink.

Fancy dress carnivals, 'gymkhanas' ice-hockey and dances enliven every season.

Camping:

The best way of enjoying a tour to Himachal Pradesh  is setting up a camp to explore the vast beauty of nature. You can put up your own tent or take shelter under the roof offered by any of several camps that are situated in various parts of Himachal Pradesh. These camps offer accommodation, catering and lot of other activities. Most of these camps offer best quality services. Himachal Tourism has camps in Distt. Shimla at  Mashobra and Baldian near Shimla. 

Where to Eat

Most of the restaurants in Shimla are cheap, comfortable, atmospheric and offer good multi-cuisine food. However, if you are looking for local cuisine, the options are surprisingly limited. 

The Devicos, 5 The Mall (one storey beneath street level, directly below the Café Coffee Day outlet in the vicinity of the BSNL Building), ☎ +91 177 280-6335. 10:00AM~10:00PM. Serves good Indian food of every description (one of the most extensive Indian-cuisine menus in town), complemented by some Chinese and Continental dishes; one of the very few restaurants in town with food appealing both to Indian and to Western palates. Good decor (with what appears to be original art rather than reproductions). This is one of the most expensive places to eat in town (apart from 5-star hotels), but seems worth it as far as Indian dishes are concerned owing to the lack of real competition. Its twin Bar, located two storeys directly above (one storey above street level), is a hangout popular with the locals but not a match for the restaurant as far as decor and atmosphere are concerned. Adverse comment regarding food poisoning cases in the restaurant on the Lonely Planet website. Rs 50~150. 

Baljees, 26 The Mall, ☎ +91 177 265-2313. 9AM-11PM. Among the town's oldest eateries, Baljees offers delicious Western and Indian fare. Their desserts, appearances and reputation to the contrary notwithstanding, are atrocious, laced with chemicals, and best avoided. Mains Rs 100-150, Desserts Rs 50.

The Oberoi Cecil Restaurant,Chaura Maidan (in The Oberoi Cecil Hotel), ☎ +91 177 2804848. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with closing breaks in between). A good selection of European and Asian dishes, complemented by best European and non-European vintages. Chandeliers and wood-paneling add to the old-world elegance, a perfect setting for a quiet dinner (unless you have the misfortune to be seated next to an extended Punjabi family with unruly children). Unarguably the best and unarguably the most expensive place to eat in town. Nevertheless, buffet breakfasts somewhat disappointing (no cheese selection, for example, though provided if one specifically asks). Standards have slipped here in the recent years, since the majority of the guests are now Indian rather than foreign as before. Rs 500~1,500.

Silver Oak, Circular Road, ☎ +91 177 225-7588. 7-11PM. Serves Mughlai and Chinese. The food is not great, but passable. Nice decor and a comfortable atmosphere. Rs 150.

The Lutyens Room, Springfields, Chhota Shimla (opposite Tibetan School), ☎ +91 177 222-1297, 222-1298. 11AM-10:30PM. Continental and Indian food. Rs 150 and above.

Ashiana & Goofa, the Band Stand, the Ridge. Open for lunch and dinner. Whatever little can be had of Himachali cuisine can be found at these twin-restaurants run by Himachal Tourism, the one located above the other. The food is neither cheap nor the best in town, but it is safe and they otherwise do their best. A good spot for people-watching, the location within a circular elevated glass building has attracted comment in guidebooks: it lies in fact on the site of a historical structure, known as the Band Stand, which was a gift to the city made in 1907 by the ruler of one of the innumerable princely states of the pre-independence India (Jabalpur in what is today the state of Madhya Pradesh). Sit-in or takeaway. Rs 50-150.

The restaurant at Hotel Pinewood, Barog (tel:+91 1792 238-825 & 238-387) serves cheap Punjabi fare. There's also a Cafe Coffee Day outlet at Solan, which sells pastries, coffee and sandwiches and a Mc Donalds on the way. 

Loveena Restaurant, The Ridge. below rain shelter, restaurant with view. Indian, Chinese, continental thali @Rs110/-

New Plaza Restaurant (Plaza), 60/61, Middle Bazar, ☎ 0177-2655438.

Qilaa, The Mall Rd; below Syndicate Bank, near Scandal Point (On the way from Scandal Point to DC Office), ☎ +91 9736691209. 11AM-11PM. A favourite among frequent visitors and the locals. The interiors have been built keeping in mind the cold weather outside. There’s an instant feel of warmth and coziness as you enter the place. The food has a homely flavor to it as it’s cooked under the constant supervision of the friendly young couple who owns it. Their best items are the mezze platter and banoffee pie. You can sit here all day without being irked by anybody to leave. up to $10. 

Sher E Punjab (Sher E Punjab), Ridge Sanjauli Road (take road to Lakkar Bazar, Just 100 M from Ridge point.). 10 AM to 10 PM. If you are looking for a local Indian food which people of India have at home, then you should try this place. A good place to eat tava chappati (Indian bread)at reasonable rates. Ask for mixed vegetable dish with butter chappati. INR 30-150.

 

Indian Coffee House, The Mall (On Mall Rd, just down from the post office on the left). Probably the cheapest food in Shimla, especially during peak season. They serve good south Indian food as well as surprisingly good western breakfast fare - try the Rs 40 French toast. Rs 20 - 80.

The restaurant at Holiday Hotel Home. Famed for its Himalchali cuisine including Sepu Vadi, which is steamed buns in curry, this restaurant offers authentic fare at affordable prices. The service is good. It also serves other types of Indian cuisine. Rs 500 - 2000.

Embassy restaurant and cafe. Inside the cafe is a beautiful view as well as interesting quotations from all sorts of literature, decorated by the owner. A good place to chill out with a cup of tea and homecooked cakes. The cafe sells ice-cream to go which is popular among passer-bys.

Wake & Bake Cafe (Wake & Bake), 34/2, The mall (Look for the yellow windows near the fire station). Inviting place on the 1st and 2nd floor with international cuisine, which is freshly cooked. Good ambience, great food and great coffee make this place a must visit.

Drink

Himachal is known as the fruit-bowl of India. It has a thriving food processing industry that churns out fruit-based drinks, squashes and concentrates. The most famous flavors are plum, litchi, strawberry, mango and guava. 

You can also try the real aqua minerale spring water available near the source (if you are trekking)! 

Alcohol

For alcoholic drinks, try the locally brewed wines such as apricot, plum and apple & ginger cider. In predominantly Tibetan areas, a rice wine known as Chang is popular. 

Lobby Lounge, Chaura Maidan. 24 hours. The Lobby Lounge is in the soaring 5-story atrium of the Oberoi. A good place to enjoy tea or a quiet drink in an elegant atmosphere. A roaring fire in the winters adds to the colonial charm. Drinks Rs 200-250.

"Rendevous" located less than a minute walk from Christ Church on The Mall, across from "Alfa Restruant". Somewhat hidden, this restruant/bar offers good bollywood tunes, a nice cozy interior and strong drinks. try to order the monkey glad, but it's not guaranteed they will have the ingredients. 

Coffee

Cafe Coffee Day, 5 The Mall (in The Devicos). 9AM-11PM. Similar to Barista, although not quite as good. Another branch at Mama's Kitchen NH22, Dharampur, Solan District. Cappuccino Rs 120.

Indian Coffee House, The Mall. 9AM-11PM. Indian Coffee House (ICH), Mall Road. Indian coffee house (ICH) is a favorite with the locals, although not as trendy as barista or ccd, ICH retains the charm of bygone era. Cheap coffee and town gossipp make it a favorite with locals.

Fire Station Cafe, Indian Institute of Advanced Study. IIAS is the erstwhile Viceroy Lodge which is a Victorian era building. The IIAS has renovated its old fire station complex. The old structure which housed fire station, post office, squash court, and now swimming pool, besides a garage during British era was converted into a ‘Book shop-cum- souvenir shop’. Once you have completed the conducted tour of the IIAS, you can relax over a cup of coffee or tea and soak in the environment.

Tourist Information Centre

On just entering Shimla one will find the Tourist Information Centre recently built in Himachali Architecture Style. This centre will provide proper guidance to the tourists visiting Shimla. The other Tourist Information Centre is located adjacent to the Scandal Point on the mall.  The Addresses of Tourist Information Centre are:

Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation

Marketing Office, The Mall, Shimla  - 171001
Phone :0177-2652561,2658302 Fax :- 0177-2652557

Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation,
Government of Himachal Pradesh,
Block 28, SDA Complex, Kasumpti, Shimla - 171009.
Tel :- (0177)-2625864 / 2625924 / 2625926. 

Managing Director,
H.P Tourism Development Corporation (marketing Office),
Ritz Annexe, Shimla-171001.
Tel :- (0177)-2658880, Fax :- 2652206

Hotels in Shimla

Hotel Name	Category	Location	Contact Details
The Oberoi Cecil	5 Star	Chaura Maidan, Shimla 171004, India
Radisson Hotel	4 Star	Goodwood Estate | Lower Bharari, Shimla 171001, India
Clarkes Hotel	4 Star	The Mall, Shimla 171001, India
Hotel Marina	4 Star	The Mall Shimla, Shimla 171001, India
Aamod	4 Star	Shoghi Before 16 Km From Shimla, Shimla 173215, India	Phone: 9873159470, +91-9212114441, +91-9213022540, +91-9213022541, +91-8800690594 Email: contact@aamod.in,  reservations@aamod.in Website: aamod.in
East Bourne Resort & Spa	4 Star	Near Bishop Cotton School | Khallini, Shimla 171002, India
Kapil Hotel	3 Star	Elysium Hill, Bharari Road, Near Jass Radisson | Lakkar Bazar, Shimla 171001, India
Honeymoon Inn	3 Star	The Mall, Shimla 171001, India
Hotel Hot Spring Therme & Spa	3 Star	Vill-Tattapani | Shimla Hills, Shimla 171302, India	Phone: 09816734003 Email: hotelhotspring@yahoo.in Website: