Local FavouritesLong-running Mall Road favourite (Incredible India)
Chopsticks
A cosy, year-round Mall Road staple for Tibetan food, especially the copper-pot gyakok.
Order Gyakok hot pot; momos; thukpa
North India · India
Manali (Kullu, Solang and Sissu)
Himalayan valley of pine forests, snow passes and apple orchards, with adventure sports, cafes in Old Manali and the Atal Tunnel to Lahaul.
Best timeMarch to June, December to February for snow
Ideal trip4–6 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereBhuntar (Kullu-Manali) Airport; road from Chandigarh (about 8 hours)
Great Okay Not ideal
AdventureSnowCouplesRoad trips
Four ways to see Manali
Touristy, offbeat, local or hidden?
Every traveller is different. Browse by style, then let the planner mix them into a day-by-day plan.
The famous must-sees
Hadimba Devi Temple≈ ₹50
Wooden temple set among deodar trees, dedicated to a local goddess and rich with carved details.
spiritual · about 1 hr · best in the morningFree alternative: Manu Temple, Old Manali — Free ancient wooden temple in a quiet village, with fewer visitors.
Solang ValleyFree
Meadow valley with paragliding, zorbing and skiing, depending on the season.
adventure · about 4 hrs · best in the morningRohtang Pass≈ ₹550
High pass with snow views for most of the year; permit required and closed in winter.
scenic · about 6 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Rahala Falls and snow views — Free roadside waterfall and snow scenery on the way, with no permit needed.
Atal Tunnel crossingFree
Long tunnel beneath the Pir Panjal range that links Manali to Lahaul valley year-round.
scenic · about 3 hrsOld Manali villageFree
Riverside lanes of cafes, bookshops and wooden houses, popular with long-stay travellers.
relax · about 2.5 hrs · best in the eveningVashisht Hot SpringsFree
Village with hot sulphur baths and an ancient stone temple, great for tired legs.
relax · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonSissu valley and waterfallFree
Green valley in Lahaul with a small waterfall and mountain views beyond the tunnel.
scenic · about 3 hrsQuieter, still easy to reach
Naggar Castle≈ ₹100
Fifteenth-century stone-and-timber castle with orchard views and the nearby Nicholas Roerich art gallery.
culture · about 2.5 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Jana Falls — Free forest trail and waterfall near Naggar; different scenery but a nice day out.
Jana FallsFree
Short forest trail to a pretty waterfall above a village of apple orchards.
nature · about 3 hrs · best in the morningManikaran SahibFree
Sacred hot-spring town with a gurudwara, boiling pools and langar in the Parvati valley.
spiritual · about 3 hrs · best in the morningJibhi and Tirthan valleyFree
Tiny villages, forest walks and trout streams in a peaceful valley away from crowds.
nature · about 6 hrsBijli Mahadev trekFree
Steep forest hike to a hilltop Shiva temple, with panoramic views over Kullu valley.
adventure · about 5 hrs · best in the morningFood, markets, crafts and people
Mall Road momo crawl≈ ₹200
Browse shops and stop at Tibetan stalls for steaming momos and thukpa.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningHimachali siddu with ghee≈ ₹250
Try steamed wheat buns with walnut or poppy filling and ghee, a local mountain staple.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonKullu shawl weaving visitFree
See handlooms producing the region's famous patterned shawls at a cooperative.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the morningApple orchard homestay≈ ₹800
Walk through orchards and share a family meal; autumn brings the best fruit.
food · about 3 hrsGadhan Thekchhokling GompaFree
Colourful Tibetan monastery on Manali's edge, with a calm prayer hall and a handicraft centre.
spiritual · about 1 hr · best in the morningSpots most visitors miss
Sethan village meadowsFree
Quiet hamlet above the Beas with snowy winter walks and green meadows in summer.
nature · about 4 hrs · best in the morningChandratal LakeFree
Crescent lake at the head of Spiti valley; open only in summer. Road is rough and needs a 4x4.
scenic · about 10 hrsBeas Kund trekFree
Gentle two-day trek to the Beas river's source beneath glaciers; go with a registered guide.
adventure · about 8 hrs · best in the morningRahala FallsFree
Cascade on the road to Rohtang, with a short forest walk and fewer crowds than the pass.
nature · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningEntry fees and times are approximate, per adult, and change often — we confirm everything before you book. Last reviewed November 2026.
Specialities
What Manali is famous for
food
Siddu
Steamed wheat bread with filling, served with ghee, a Himachali favourite.
food
Trout fish
Freshly caught trout cooked simply in valley restaurants.
food
Tibetan momos and thukpa
Steaming dumplings and soup across Mall Road and Old Manali.
drink
Himachali apple cider and juice
Fresh apple juice and cider from orchards around Kullu.
craft
Kullu shawls and caps
Patterned woollen shawls and the famous Kullu cap.
souvenir
Dried apples and local honey
Healthy mountain produce to take home.
experience
Paragliding at Solang
Tandem flights with certified pilots over snowy peaks.
Where to eat
A taste of Manali
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- Siddu vegSteamed wheat bun stuffed with walnut, poppy seed or lentil filling, eaten with ghee — Kullu-Manali's signature.
- Himachali troutLocal river trout, grilled, baked or curried.
- Himachali dham (madra, sepu vadi) vegFestive vegetarian meal; madra is chickpeas in a yoghurt gravy.
- Thukpa and momosTibetan comfort food, widely available in Manali.
- Apple and local fruit wines/juices vegKullu valley apples in juice, cider and preserves.
- Babru / mittha vegLocal sweets found at Himachali eateries and festivals.
Street food trail
Manali Mall Road, Manu Market and Old Manali
- Best time
- 12–7 pm (cold evenings in November)
- Takes
- 2–3 hours
- Start at
- Mall Road, Manali
- Budget
- ₹500–900
- Mall Road stallsManali town centre
Try Siddu with walnut-poppy stuffing and ghee (veg); roasted corn (veg)
Siddu takes time to steam; order and wait at the stall.
₹100–200Map
- Manu MarketLane behind Mall Road
Try Veg momos (veg); thukpa (veg option); Tibetan bread
Cheaper and more local than Mall Road cafés.
₹100–200Map
- Johnson's CaféCircuit House Road
Try Grilled river trout; apple crumble (veg)
Sit-down, not a stall; good for older couples.
₹500–900Map
- Old Manali cafésAcross Manalsu bridge
Try Apple pie (veg); ginger-lemon-honey tea (veg)
Many backpacker cafés reduce hours or close in winter; check before walking up.
₹150–300Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Easy: Punjabi dhabas, Himachali dham and Tibetan veg momos.
- Vegan
- Fair: momos, thukpa and rajma-rice; siddu uses ghee.
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Moderate: Gujarati-friendly hotels can arrange it; street food mostly uses onion.
- Halal
- Limited; a few Muslim-run eateries near Mall Road. Ask your hotel.
- Gluten-free
- Hard: siddu, momos and bread are wheat; rajma-chawal is the safe bet.
- With children
- Corn, momos, Maggi and hot chocolate; dress them warmly for evening walks.
- Spice level
- Mild-medium; momo chutney is very hot, so ask for it separately. Hindi works everywhere.
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- I am vegetarian (Hindi)Main shakahari hoonmain sha-kaa-haa-ree hoon
- No meat, no fish, no egg (Hindi)Maans, machhli, anda nahinmaans, mutch-lee, un-daa na-heen
- Chutney on the side, not spicy (Hindi)Chutney alag se, teekha kamchut-nee a-lug say, tee-khaa kum
- How much? (Hindi)Kitne ka hai?kit-nay kaa hai
- Solang and Sissu (via Atal Tunnel) are snow day trips in November; food there is limited to dhabas and Maggi points, and roads can close after snowfall.
- UPI works on Mall Road; carry cash for Solang and Sissu.
- Snow-gear and photo touts at Solang push packages; agree prices first.
- Rohtang Pass needs a permit and usually closes in winter; don't plan meals around it.
Trail stops, hours and prices are approximate and stalls move — check locally. Pronunciations are simplified guides. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.
Where to eat, by budget
Street food, markets and humble legends
Local FavouritesRecommended for traditional Himachali food
Himachali Rasoi
One of the few places in town focused on local Himachali cooking at fair prices.
Order Siddu; madra; dham thali
Local FavouritesKnown for breakfasts (Incredible India)
Drifters' Café
Old Manali's favourite breakfast café, open all year.
Order Eggs Benedict; waffles; pancakes
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & StylishManali institution; ten trout dishes
Johnson's Café
The classic Manali dinner — terraced garden, bonfire on cold nights and trout cooked many ways.
Order Baked trout with almond sauce; trout curry with Himachali red rice
Smart & Stylish
Il Forno
Italian food in a rustic old wooden house among the deodars near Hadimba Temple.
Order Wood-fired pizza; pasta
Smart & StylishOne of Manali's most famous cafés
Café 1947
A riverside Old Manali café known for its relaxed vibe and live music.
Order Wood-fired pizza; trout; live-music evenings
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Fine Dining & SplurgeRun by Rosalba Lucioli, mother of Olympian Shiva Keshavan (Incredible India)
Rose Garden (Vashisht)
Genuine Italian cooking with imported Parma ham and garden herbs. Seasonal: about end-April to mid-October.
Order Wood-fired pizza; tiramisu
Fine Dining & SplurgeSister venue of Johnson's Café
Johnson's Lodge
A smarter, fireplace-warmed dining room with good cocktails and lively Saturday evenings.
Order Rosemary chicken; cocktails by the fireplace
Restaurants change hours, menus and prices often; awards are as published at the time of checking. Approximate — verify before you go. Last reviewed 9 November 2026. All our food picks
Local tip: Rohtang Pass needs a permit booked on the official portal and is closed in winter; the Atal Tunnel is open year-round.
Make Manali yours
Build a free itinerary in a minute, or let our team plan it all — stays, transport and a clear price.