The Cafés of Kasol: A Different World, A Different Vibe

There’s always been something special about vacationing in the hills, that simple words cannot explain. However, as some of the most popular hill stations start getting more and more crowded, sleepy little hamlets like Kasol provide just the respite you were looking for. Whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, or even with your family; whether you’re on a low-key weekend getaway or a week-long vacation for some camping in Kasol – there is one thing that you absolutely cannot miss out on, and that is spending some time at the many amazing cafés in Kasol!

The Top Cafés in Kasol

Known for its scenic views and extremely laidback ambience, Kasol is a popular holiday spot in India, and with good reason. Apart from the beautiful villages and treks nearby, another reason to visit Kasol is simply for the food and café culture! There are a number of good cafés in Kasol that are almost as popular as the village itself and are major crowd-pullers. If you too are planning a trip to Kasol, you will want to hit as many cafés as possible. To help you get started, here’s a list of some of the best cafés to visit in Kasol, each with a different vibe and a different experience to offer:

1. The Evergreen Café, Kasol-Manikaran Road
2. Art Café, Old Kasol
3. Jim Morrison Café, Off Kasol-Manikaran Road
4. Buddha Place, Grahan Street
5. Off-Limits Coffee, Alpine Guest House
6. Sunshine Café, Old Main Road
7. Freedom Café, Old Kasol
8. Mama Café, Kasol-Manikaran Road
9. Pink Floyd Café, Tosh
10. Shiva Shanti Café, Chalal

1. The Evergreen Café, Kasol-Manikaran Road

This cosy little café in Kasol is one of the oldest and most well-known ones. Evergreen Café, Kasol has outdoor seating, where you can enjoy great views of the surrounding mountains, as well as indoor seating, where the trippy vibe and psytrance playing in the background will transport you to an entirely new place. This is the best café in Kasol for refreshingly delicious juices, teas, shakes, etc. and the food too is worth a mention. The menu is a mix of local and global flavours and includes some gobsmacking delicacies from Israeli, Italian, and Indian cuisines.

2. Art Café, Old Kasol

This café in Kasol completely justifies its name and showcases the bohemian vibes that you can sense throughout the little village with perfection. Art Café is the best café in Kasol for artists, with colourful graffiti covering the walls, pleasant lighting and a cosy atmosphere. Another reason that makes this café so famous in Kasol is the piping hot, delicious ‘pahadon ki maggi’ that you can enjoy here. Open till late in the night with delicious coffee as well, Art Café is, without doubt, one of the must-visit spots in Parvati Valley.

3. Jim Morrison Café, Off Kasol-Manikaran Road

An extremely famous café in Kasol, Jim Morrison Café is located a little away from the main hubbub of Kasol and involves a little trek as well. However, this all-veg café is definitely worth the hype and the effort, offering a plethora of dishes that will not leave you wanting. Made entirely of wood, the Jim Morrison Café is warm and cosy, and boasts of one of the most scenic locations in the midst of nature and is a treasure trove for all music enthusiasts, nature lovers, and foodies.

4. Buddha Place, Grahan Street

You don’t have to look for the ‘obviously’ best riverside café in Kasol to have a good time. Sometimes, a hidden, quaint little gem might surprise you with its understated charm. With the gushing sounds and sight of the Parvati River near this café in Kasol, the surrounding might of snow-capped mountains, and the aroma of some tasty snacks being prepared for your table, the ambience and serenity of this place cannot be beaten. Buddha Place isn’t a full-fledged restaurant in Kasol but its seemingly small menu packs such a delicious punch that you’ll find yourself coming back again and again.

5. Off-Limits Coffee, Alpine Guest House

Another contender for the claim of being the best riverside café in Kasol, Off-Limits Coffee is a special little place sitting calmly on the banks of the Parvati River. Located in the heart of Kasol this café and restaurant is Kasol’s first restaurant to offer a range of hemp-infused coffee and food, promising a unique culinary experience for all who visit. The chic, modern interiors complement the overall vibe of the café, and the menu is designed to cater to many different palates. From the outdoor seating area, you can catch some breathtaking views of the Parvati River as you relax and enjoy some delectable dishes.

6. Sunshine Café, Old Main Road

This café in Kasol is famous for offering the most delicious tuna sandwich that you have ever tried! Café Sunshine can be reached from Kasol’s Old Main Road, after a short but pleasant hike. But you don’t have to worry, as not only is the café’s laidback environment perfect for relaxing and unwinding, but you can even opt for a great massage session by professionals to ease out any fatigue you feel. The babbling waters of the Parvati River, the scenic views around the café, and of course, a cup of delicious hot chocolate make for an unforgettable experience.

7. Freedom Café, Old Kasol

Playing a mix of tranquil and trippy music, Freedom Café is a café in Kasol that is known for offering an excellent dining experience. In fact, it is one of the only places that you will find open even late in the night, even as the rest of Kasol is fast asleep. This is the best café in Kasol for breakfast, with their special masala tea and authentic Israeli dishes. Once upon a time, this café in Kasol was only open for foreign tourists, but that is no longer the case, as they welcome one and all throughout the day!

8. Mama Café, Kasol-Manikaran Road

Delicious finger food and Israeli dishes, tranquil vibes, low-key interiors with art covering the walls, and a pool table where you can play a match or two as you wait for your food to arrive – Mama Café in Kasol is one of the coolest places for you to head to on your trip! The café has quite the quirky ambience and serves some delicious pizzas and chilli cheese toast that you’ve simply got to try for yourself.

9. Pink Floyd Café, Tosh

Involving a fair bit of a walk, this is a café that you simply have to visit. Located at the highest point of Tosh, the café offers stunning views that you will not find at other places. The relaxed ambience of the café is complemented by music and art décor, the walls are filled with iconic imagery of Pink Floyd, album covers, and psychedelic murals, and the menu has some delicious snacks that you can munch on as you gaze at the majestic mountainous views from the Pink Floyd Café.

10. Shiva Shanti Café, Chalal

Another well-known café that you can add to your Kasol trip package, Shiva Shanti Café offers an alfresco terrace seating that promises visitors grand vistas of the mountains, river, and valley. The café is known for its hippie vibe and has quite the aromatic atmosphere that is sure to increase your appetite. The delicious food offered by the café includes popular Israeli dishes, as well as maggi, sandwiches, brownies, and much more. The best part is that the owner of the café brings out quilts when it starts getting cold, so visitors can cosy up underneath as they enjoy the beauty of the nature that surrounds them.

The numerous cafés in Kasol are not just perfect for satisfying your hunger pangs but are an entire experience in themselves, where you can relax, vibe, and munch, even as you gaze at some of the most amazing views.