Local Favouriteslocal institution for Khasi food
Trattoria
Small, family-run and always busy, this is where most locals send visitors for their first Khasi meal.
Order Jadoh; dohneiiong; Khasi pork thali
Meghalaya · India
Shillong & Cherrapunji (Sohra)
Meghalaya's Scotland of the East: pine hills, cafes, thundering waterfalls, limestone caves, living-root bridges and one of Asia's cleanest villages.
Best timeOctober to May
Ideal trip3–4 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereGuwahati (about 3 hours by road) or Umroi airport
Great Okay Not ideal
WaterfallsTrekkingCafesCaves
Four ways to see Shillong
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
Double-decker living-root bridge at Nongriat≈ ₹350
Trek down a jungle staircase to the double-layer bridge grown from rubber-tree roots.
adventure · about 6 hrs · best in the morningNohkalikai Falls≈ ₹30
One of India's tallest plunge waterfalls, dropping into an emerald pool.
scenic · about 1 hr · best in the morningFree alternative: Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint — Free roadside viewpoint of a wide waterfall curtain nearby; less dramatic than a plunge fall.
Mawsmai Cave≈ ₹30
Lit limestone cave you can walk through, with narrow squeezes for the brave.
adventure · about 1 hr · best in the afternoonDawki and Umngot river boating≈ ₹400
Glide over crystal-clear water on the India-Bangladesh border.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Dawki bridge riverside — Free views of clear water and boats from the bridge and bank, without taking a boat.
Mawlynnong village≈ ₹50
Celebrated as one of Asia's cleanest villages, with bamboo dustbins and flower-lined lanes.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonElephant Falls≈ ₹20
Three-tier waterfall in a fern-filled glen just outside Shillong.
scenic · about 1 hr · best in the morningShillong Peak viewpoint≈ ₹20
Highest point around, with views over the city and the plains.
scenic · about 1 hr · best in the morningFree alternative: Mawkdok Dympep viewpoint — Another free ridge viewpoint with sweeping valley views, away from the city.
Quieter, still easy to reach
Ward's Lake and Police Bazaar≈ ₹20
Leafy lakeside walk followed by street food and cafes.
relax · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Police Bazaar street walk — Free city-centre stroll with cafes and snacks; no lake, but the same busy local feel.
Laitlum Canyons≈ ₹50
Edge-of-the-world ridge with huge green valleys and a rough staircase down.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Mawkdok Dympep viewpoint — Free roadside canyon view on the Sohra road; less open than Laitlum but much easier.
Wei Sawdong Falls≈ ₹50
Three-stage waterfall in a forested gorge; good for photographers and quieter than Nohkalikai.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint — A free viewpoint near Sohra with a wide, easy-to-see waterfall; no trek.
Seven Sisters Falls viewpointFree
Broad curtain of falls seen from a roadside viewpoint, best from July to October.
scenic · about 1 hr · best in the afternoonDon Bosco Museum≈ ₹100
Multi-storey museum of the region's tribal arts, dress and daily life.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonFood, markets, crafts and people
Iewduh (Bara Bazar) marketFree
One of the biggest traditional markets in the North East, with fresh produce, local snacks and cloth.
shopping · about 2 hrs · best in the morningKhasi food at Jadoh stalls≈ ₹300
Try red rice with pork or chicken (jadoh), tungrymbai, doh khlieh and Khasi tea at small eateries.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonVillage homestay at Mawlynnong≈ ₹1,500
Stay in a clean, flower-filled village with a Khasi family and shared kitchen meals.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the eveningLocal music cafes≈ ₹300
Shillong has a famous guitar scene; catch live acoustic music at an evening cafe.
nightlife · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningKhasi weaving and craft visitFree
Visit a small studio to see traditional Khasi cloth and bamboo or cane work being made.
culture · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonSpots most visitors miss
Mawphlang Sacred Forest≈ ₹100
Protected old forest where local guides explain Khasi spiritual traditions and plants.
nature · about 2.5 hrs · best in the morningKrangsuri Falls≈ ₹100
Turquoise pool and cascades in Jaintia Hills, a longer drive but rarely crowded.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonKyllang Rock sunrise≈ ₹50
Large granite dome with a short climb and wide views; go early in dry weather.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the morningMawryngkhang Bamboo Trail≈ ₹150
Bamboo walkway trek in the East Khasi Hills with river views; hire a local guide.
adventure · about 4 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 Shillong is famous for
food
Jadoh
Red-rice dish cooked with pork or chicken, a staple of Khasi cuisine.
food
Doh khlieh
Khasi pork salad with onion, ginger and chilli, often served cold.
drink
Kwai and Khasi tea
Betel nut and tea are shared in Khasi homes as a welcome.
craft
Khasi cane and bamboo
Baskets, knitted caps and hand-woven items sold in local markets.
souvenir
Meghalaya honey and turmeric
Lakadong turmeric and wild honey are widely known local products.
experience
Living-root bridge trek
Hike down to bridges grown from rubber-tree roots.
experience
Live music scene
Cafes with acoustic bands and a long guitar culture.
Where to eat
A taste of Shillong
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- JadohKhasi red or white rice cooked with pork (sometimes chicken or fish) and spices; the region's signature.
- DohneiiongPork in a dark, nutty black-sesame gravy.
- Doh khliehCold salad of minced pork with onion, ginger and chilli.
- Tungrymbai vegFermented soybean curry, punchy and savoury; often cooked with pork but vegetarian versions exist.
- Pumaloi vegSteamed powdered-rice cake eaten alongside curries.
- Khasi oranges and rice beer (kiad) vegSeasonal Sohra oranges in winter; local rice beer appears on some new-wave menus.
Street food trail
Police Bazar to Laitumkhrah Khasi food trail
- Best time
- 12–3 pm for jadoh, 4–7 pm for street snacks
- Takes
- 2–3 hours (short taxi between the two areas)
- Start at
- Police Bazar (Khyndailad) main square
- Budget
- ₹350–600 per person
- Police Bazar street stallsPolice Bazar
Try Batter-fried stuffed chillies (veg), momos (veg or chicken), cutlets
Busiest after 4 pm; this is the most touristy area, so check prices before ordering.
₹60–150Map
- Trattoria (small Khasi eatery)Police Bazar / Jail Road side
Try Jadoh (red rice cooked with meat), dohneiiong (pork with black sesame), tungrymbai (fermented soybean)
Tiny and very popular for lunch; go before 1 pm or be ready to share a table. Mostly non-veg.
₹150–250Map
- Bara Bazar (Iewduh) marketMawkhar
Try Pukhlein (sweet rice-flour fritter, veg), putharo (steamed rice cake, veg), kwai (betel nut) to look at
One of the oldest markets in the North East; crowded and confusing, so go with a guide and keep valuables close.
₹40–100Map
- Laitumkhrah market and lanesLaitumkhrah
Try Jadoh and Khasi thalis at local eateries, sweet milk tea (veg)
Less touristy and cheaper than Police Bazar; good spot to see daily local life.
₹100–200Map
- Laitumkhrah bakeries and cafésLaitumkhrah
Try Cakes, buns and coffee (veg)
Shillong has a strong café culture; most places close by 8–9 pm.
₹80–200Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Khasi cuisine is meat-heavy, but Police Bazar has several North Indian and Marwari veg restaurants and veg momos.
- Vegan
- Hard at Khasi stalls; North Indian veg places can do dal, rice and sabzi without ghee on request.
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Difficult; a few Marwari-run veg restaurants in Police Bazar are your best bet.
- Halal
- Available at some Muslim-run eateries in Police Bazar; Khasi stalls use pork and beef.
- Gluten-free
- Rice-based Khasi dishes (putharo, jadoh) are naturally gluten-free; check sauces.
- With children
- Pukhlein, cakes, veg momos and rice dishes; avoid fermented items and very hot chutneys.
- Spice level
- Khasi food is often mild; chutneys can be very hot, so ask for them on the side.
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- I am vegetarian (I only eat vegetables)Khasi: Nga bam jhur hinga bum jhoor hee
- No meat, no fish, no eggKhasi: Ym bam doh, doh khá, pyllengim bum doh, doh-khaa, pi-leng
- Not spicy, please (do not add chilli)Khasi: Wat buh sohmynkenwot booh soh-min-ken
- How much?Khasi: Katno?kut-no
- Delicious!Khasi: Bang!baang
- UPI is widely accepted; carry cash for Bara Bazar and small stalls.
- Police Bazar is congested and touristy; Laitumkhrah is calmer for families.
- Many shops close on Sundays; Shillong is a Christian-majority city and Sunday is quiet.
- Drink sealed bottled water; tap water is not safe for visitors.
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 Favouritesfeatured in The Nod magazine, July 2026
Bei Synshar's jadoh stall, Iewduh (Bara Bazaar)
A market stall in one of the North East's biggest bazaars, laying out a daily spread of Khasi rice, curries, chutneys and foraged greens. Best visited late morning with a guide.
Order Jadoh with pork curry, fried fish and wild greens
Local Favourites
Jadoh Restaurant
A no-frills lunch spot devoted to Khasi rice dishes; quick, cheap and local.
Order Jadoh with chicken liver; pumaloi
Local Favouriteswidely recommended vegetarian restaurant in Sohra since 2015
Orange Roots
Sohra's best-known vegetarian restaurant, a safe and popular lunch stop on the waterfalls circuit.
Order Veg thali; dosa
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & Stylishfeatured in The Nod magazine, July 2026
Reen's Bakery
A neighbourhood bakery whose coconut-and-chocolate lamington follows a family recipe from the 1960s; a sweet Shillong tradition.
Order Lamington
Smart & Stylishwidely recommended; live-music café
Café Shillong
Shillong's rock-music city in café form, with Khasi dishes alongside steaks and pastas; the Heritage branch has hill views.
Order Smoked pork; tungrymbai; steak
Smart & StylishBob Dylan tribute café; widely recommended
Dylan's Café
A cheerful, music-themed café with terrace seating that captures the city's love of folk and rock.
Order Waffles; shakes; Khasi-fusion tungrymbai with rice
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Fine Dining & SplurgeCondé Nast Traveller x District India's Top 50 Restaurants 2026, #32
Rynsan
A modern, ingredient-led take on Meghalaya's tribal cooking that has put Shillong on India's national restaurant map. Book ahead.
Order Pork Bomb; crispy bamboo shoots with turmeric dip; putharo sliders with bitchi rice beer
Fine Dining & SplurgeCondé Nast Traveller x District India's Top 50 Restaurants 2026, #44
Nonna Mei
Rynsan's sister restaurant blends Italian cooking with North East produce, a stylish dinner option in the city centre.
Order Italian dishes with local tribal ingredients
Fine Dining & Splurgerestaurant of Ri Kynjai luxury resort; featured by Outlook Traveller
Sao Aiom, Ri Kynjai
A lakeside dining room celebrating indigenous North East cuisines, ideal as a lunch stop on the Guwahati–Shillong road. Non-residents should reserve; a cover charge may apply.
Order Khasi, Garo and Naga specialities
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
Time it right
Festivals & events
AprLocal
Shad Suk Mynsiem
Weiking Ground, Shillong, India · Usually the second week of April (Khasi calendar — confirm locally)
The Khasi thanksgiving dance: young women in gold and silver and men with swords and feathers move in slow circles to drums and flutes, with great poise and ceremony.
Tip: Arrive early for a seat near the dance ground; photography is allowed but keep a respectful distance.
JulLocal
Behdienkhlam
Jowai, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India · Usually mid-July (Pnar calendar — confirm locally)
The Pnar people drive away disease and evil spirits with dances, rituals and the toppling of tall decorated wooden structures into a pond. A vigorous and distinctive Meghalaya tradition.
Tip: Jowai is about three hours from Shillong; hire a car and start early.
NovLocal
Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival
Shillong, Meghalaya, India · Usually mid-November, about four days (confirm with Meghalaya tourism)
Wild Himalayan cherry trees bloom in autumn around the city, complemented by music acts, fashion shows, local food and craft stalls. The weather is crisp, with clear skies.
Tip: Book hotels early and ask about bloom timing; rain can shift the best viewing days.
Local tip: The Nongriat root-bridge trek involves about 3,500 steps down and up, so allow a full day and wear good shoes.
Make Shillong yours
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