Food in Manali

Your visit to this scenic town is not complete without exploring Manali Food. It is a delightful experience, with local Himachali dishes and popular cafés serving delicious meals. Manali has a dynamic food scene. The food here can’t be categorized in one. Here you will get authentic Himachali food, Tibetan street food, and continental dishes as well.

To know more about the diverse Manali Food scene, below are the famous foods in Manali-

Traditional Manali Dishes

Siddu is a traditional Himachali dish. It is made from fermented wheat flour and it is served with ghee and chutneys. The bread has two fillings. A savory filling is of spices urad dal and vegetables. The other one is a sweet filling made of walnuts, poppy seeds, and peanuts. Siddu can be eaten at many spots in Manali. Local eateries, small tea stalls (dhabas), and traditional Himachali restaurants serve it fresh throughout the day.

Average price- ₹50 to ₹150

Chana Madra is made from chickpeas that are simmered down in creamy yogurt-based gravy. This traditional dish originates from the Chamba district. The dish has aromatic spices and nutty richness. It uses absolutely no water in its base gravy. Chana Madra is not served as a casual street food. You could eat this on any authentic Himachali Thali.

Average price- ₹150 to ₹250 per portion

Trout Fish dish was introduced by Britishers in the early 20th century. These trout fishes are the sweet-water Himalayan rainbow trout. These fishes are either caught wild or sourced from local farmers. The dish is prepared as a tandoori, pan-seared, or deep-fried fillet, seasoned heavily with local Himachali spices. You can try the trout fish dish at these places- The Himalayan Trout Fish Farm, The Lazy Dog Restaurant, and Drifters' Inn and Café.

Average price- ₹550 to ₹1,000 per kilogram and for a prepared Trout dish, the price is between ₹400 and ₹800.

Dham is a festive dish that is served in celebrations or weddings. The dish originated centuries ago. Dham in very simple terms is a saatvik vegetarian thali. In a traditional Dham, you will find-

• Madra - A slow-cooked gravy usually made with rajma or chickpeas.
• Mash Dal - It is thick black lentil gravy and it is heavily spiced.
• Fried urad dal dumplings that are cooked in spiced spinach or yogurt-based gravy.
• Khatta - A tangy, sour, and sweet curry
• Meetha Chawal - Sweetened rice mixed with dry fruits, raisins, and saffron.
• Chawal - Normal rice

Average price- ₹300 to ₹600 per thali

Bhey is a traditional Himachali dish. In this, the lotus stems are thinly sliced and then boiled. After boiling it is coated in besan, and stir-fried with onions, ginger, garlic, and local spices. It has a tangy, spicy, and savory flavor profile. You could eat Bhey in local eateries and dhabas in Manali.

Average price - ₹200 to ₹350 per plate

Aktori is prepared with a mixture of wheat flour and buckwheat. It is a traditional and festive pancake. It is usually pan-fried and drizzled with honey. The batter for this is made from mixing buckwheat flour, wheat flour, milk, water, sugar, and baking soda. It is made during festive seasons, but you can try it at local cafes.

Average price - ₹50 to ₹100 per plate

Street food

Momos in Manali gives a traveler the authentic Tibetan flavour. The moms are served hot along with red chutney. A traveler can find momos at street stalls, cafes, and travel layovers. They come in different varieties. Momos can be different as they can be fried or steamed or from their filling.

In Manali, a plate of momos is between ₹100 to ₹270.

Thukpa is a noodle soup dish. It is made from hand-pulled noodles, vegetables, and meat. It is a staple comfort food in the Himalayan regions of India. You can get different variations of Thukpa and they are chicken thukpa, mutton thukpa, veg thukpa, and special customized thukpa.

Cost of Thukpa is between ₹100 to ₹350

Tudkiya Bhath is a slow-cooked rice dish. It is cooked with soaked masoor dal, potatoes, and yoghurt. The flavor of this dish comes from a mix of whole spices. The texture of the rice is creamy because of the yoghurt and lemon juice is added before serving. Locally, Tudkiya Bhath is paired with Teliya Mah, it is a bowl of fresh yogurt and tangy chutneys. In the past, the dish was prepared at home or served during community feasts, but now you can find this dish at village kitchens, local homestays, and dhabas.

A plate of Tudkiya Bhath costs between ₹120 to ₹350.

Babru is the equivalent of a kachori. It is deep-fried till its outer is crispy. The inside of this is filled with a spiced mixture of urad dal. You can easily find these in local dhabas.

The price of Babru is ₹30 to ₹80 per piece.

Patande in Manali is a local dessert. It is often said as the "Indian pancake" or "crepe.” It is made by pouring a batter of wheat flour, milk, and sugar onto a hot pan. You can eat Patande at local cafes and breakfast stalls.

A plate of Patande in Manali costs between ₹50 to ₹80 per piece.

Following are the best rated eateries in Manali with their address-

• Cafe 1947 - Near Nehru Kund, Leh Manali Hwy Vpo Bahang, Dist, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175103
• Fat Plate Restaurant - Shuru, Kullu - Naggar - Manali Rd, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175143
• The Johnson's Cafe Hotel & Bar - Circuit House Road, Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131
• The Corner House Restaurant & Bar - Model Town Road, Mall Rd, Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131
• The Lazy Dog Lounge - Manu Temple Rd, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131
• Lilly Inn & Cafe - Manu Temple Rd, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131
• Chopsticks Restaurant - 65VQ+HMG, Mall Rd, Model Town, Siyal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131