Best Dhabas of Chandigarh-Manali highway

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       BEST OF NH 205 (CHANDIGARH-MANALI)

While travelling to a destination you find yourselves hungry and in need of eateries or restaurants or even dhabas midway. Without any knowledge and less information on the internet about such places you might stop at any food joint you see near the highway and mostly you will be disappointed by either the food or the sanitation or some of you might only survive on packaged foods until you reach your destination. But what if you knew of the right or maybe the place to eat in at certain points of the highway? Now wouldn’t that be delightful because you will certainly enjoy your trip more on a full stomach. So here are some of the eateries adjacent to the highway that you can eat in while journeying from Chandigarh to Manali.

The Spot, Ghagas –

This highway food café is an ideal place for you to hit the brakes and rest your legs, with ample parking space, an open terrace with a view and comfortable seating. The lavatories are clean and good for you to freshen up. You can have a hot or cold beverage and quick snacks here or even enjoy a delicious lunch. The restaurant offers a wide range of vegetarian and non vegetarian Indian and Chinese food which is delicious and freshly prepared.

Side note: In this area you can also buy Chicken, trout and mutton pickles in almost any dhabba which are considered to be an exquisite and famous recipe of this area.

 Annpurna Mandyali Dham, Sundernagar –

This little dhabba located on the national highway near the bus stand in sundernagar is simple but offers the most delicious local cuisine of Mandi. If you’re travelling to Manali make sure to stop at this place atleast once and you will be satisfied with the food and the price . Although this eatery offers no menu it has never needed to because the food that they make speaks for itself. 

Dham is a collection of the most famous local dishes and is also an integral part of the culture of the different districts of Himachal.  What makes this place special is that dham is not prepared using modern utensils and cooking gas but it is cooked in its traditional way using wood fire and in the specific big utensils called Batluhi. The taste is delicious and is a local cuisine that  you should not miss 

Kachori Ki Dukan, Mandi –

You might have heard of the rajasthani kachori but this quite different. This eatery cooks only Kachori which is a famous local dish that is immensely eaten in Mandi and even in some parts of Kullu and Kangra. It is also larger than a typical Rajasthani kachori and it is served with pickles and even one might be enough to fill you up instantly. The best part about this food item is that it's easy to get it packed and have it in your car somewhere in peace without any mess or fuss. You can just stop here on your way and get some kachoris packed and have them later while you stop somewhere to click some pictures or to rest.

Bobby’s Chinese, Mohal –

Though this little café is situated along the older national highway i.e. main town road of Kullu and not on the new one it is fairly accessible and will not cost you any extra time. Also this place deserves a little excursion from your trip for here you will eat one of the best or maybe the best Thukpa you will ever have had. Thukpa is a famous Tibetan and Lahauli dish which has now also become a part of Kulluvi culture. The taste of this Thukpa will leave you in awe and you will crave this taste and a revisit to this place. Apart from this the momos and other Chinese items prepared are also delicious. It’s a place and a chef worthy of your time and money. If you crave a non veg thukpa then you can visit Chinese corners in Patlikuhal or Chopsticks in Manali.

Rajni’s Food Corner, Raison –

About 25 km behind Manali you will find this little food joint on the sides of the national highway. Do not be fooled by what seems like a simple local food point for this place makes the best siddus in the whole district. Siddu is the local dish of Kullu district and Rajni’s siddu are the most raved in the entire district. This small place owned and run by one lady herself along with her little sister made crores by just selling siddus and kachoris in the annual Dussehra festival a few years ago. This is enough credit to the cook’s recipe and famous delicacy. If you’re visiting Manali you should make sure to eat the local delicacy and this is definitely the place for it.

These are some of the places that you can eat while travelling to Manali and not only does it ensure good food but you will also be able to taste the local delicacies of certain areas and get a slight touch of the culture of these majestic hills and their people.