Gangtok is bustling with cafes, especially at MG Marg, the shopping and eating hub for all Gangtokians.
Apart from the usual café fare, you will find some interesting dishes on the menu of some of them. From Tibetan specialties to Korean snacks, we promise you, you will find something to get hooked on.
The café spaces too are interesting, providing cosy nooks to large eating areas. The interior décor is what makes them charming and sets each one apart from the other.
With no tourists alike, we’ve visited and listed the best cafes that attract different types of customers. Let us know in the comments if you’ve visited any as a tourist and what you liked about that place.
1) The Bookworm − Café Fiction
Cafe Fiction
This tiny café on the ground floor provides just the space to grab a quick treat while leisurely reading a book, which you can buy from the bookstore above on the first floor. Rachna Books has a great collection of indie books. There’s plenty of interesting literature by authors from Northeast India that makes this place special.
Food: Pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, cupcakes, brewed coffee, and more.
Where: Jeewan Theeng Marg, Upper Sichey
Timings: 9 am-6 pm (Sunday closed)
2) The Korean Fan − Kelly’s Café
Kelly’s Café
The wooden interiors and park-like benches reflect a youthful vibe straightaway. Always abuzz with chirpy teens, you’d be lucky to get a seat. The Korean dish items on the menu have created a loyal customer base since its opening.
Food: Kimbap, corn dogs, Korean fried chicken, bibimbap, iced dalgona, and more.
Where: New Market, MG Marg
Timings: 9 am-9 pm
3) The Peace Seeker − Café Royale / Zongri Bakery and Café
Zongri Bakery and Café
With very few people trickling in during the day in both these cafes, you can enjoy a calm space to revel in your thoughts over a cup of coffee, read a book, or get some office work done. Tasteful interiors, breezy layout, and some books and magazines for company make these cafes a cosy nook to escape the humdrum.
Food: Baked treats, hot and cold beverages, pizzas, burgers, and more.
Where: Café Royale: Tashiling Road
Timings: 10 am-8 pm
Where: Zongri Bakery and Café: Tibet Road
Timings: 11 am-10 pm
4) The Socialite − The Coffee Shop
The Coffee Shop
A favourite with locals and tourists alike, The Coffee Shop is always lively with animated conversations and music. Frequented by all age groups, people flock in for breakfast, lunch, quick coffee breaks, and leisurely meetups. If you’re a tourist, it won’t be hard to find someone similar to strike up a conversation with.
Food: Burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, soups, salads, all-day breakfast, and more. They also serve wine and beer.
Where: MG Marg
Timings: 9 am-10 pm
5) The Instagrammer − Café Sass & Guff
Café Sass & Guff
This 2-level café is a visual treat. Plush turquoise sofas and colourful wall art add a wonderful pop of colour against the wooden interior. Its location on the 4th floor offers a scenic view of the hills from the window seats.
Food: Platters, soups, burgers, sizzlers, curry and rice items, noodles, salads, desserts, and more.
Where: MG Marg
Timings: 10 am-11 pm
6) The Chiller − Café Live & Loud
Café Live & Loud
The relaxed outdoor seating area with open cabins, along with great music playing in the background and weekend live gigs, makes this café a go-to for music lovers. You can chill alone or with a group over hookah and chilled beer.
Food: Pub grub, local delicacies, starters, hot & cold beverages, and more.
Where: Tibet Road
Timings: 11 am-11:30 pm
7) The Sweet Addict − Loafing Around
Loafing Around
The pretty ambiance relaxes you straight away and your attention goes straight to the display case at the front that showcases delicious lunch box cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other sweet treats. And the best part is there’s an entire display case of gelato in exciting flavours and toppings!
Food: Baked goodies, baked bread & buns, pizzas, burgers, cold press juices, and more.
Where: Namnang
Timings: 9:30 am-8:30 pm
8) The Food Experimenter − The Local Café
The Local Café
A cosy café, the limited seating doesn’t deter youngsters from flocking here. The food is great and there’s always something interesting in the baked goods shelf. If you’re looking to take a quick bite of something new, then this is the place to be where you can try Tibetan dishes like laphing, Tibetan bread sandwiches, Himalayan breakfast, and butter tea.
Food: Laphing, hand-stretched pizza, pasta, salads, wraps, beverages, and more.
Where: New Market, MG Marg
Timings: 8:30 am-8:30 pm
