‘Namgyal Café’ @ Namgyal Monastery, McLeod Ganj

Many Indian and foreign tourists who travel to see the Indian Himalayas make it a point to visit McLeod Ganj. For the uninitiated, McLeod Ganj is situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh on the Dhauladhar Range of the Himalayas. This picturesque, dainty little township is best known as the secretariat of the Government in Exile of Tibet and the home of His Holiness, the fourteenth Dalai Lama.

A visit to Namgyal monastery in McLeod Ganj is a must in every visitor’s itinerary. Besides other attractions at the monastery, there is an exotic vegetarian café tucked right inside the monastery complex called the Namgyal café. This laidback cafe is tastefully decorated in hues of blue and green and has an elementary multilingual library in the corner. There are five tables inside the café that can altogether accommodate 20 people at a time. A window seat in the café offers a spectacular view of the valley.

The Namgyal Café

Namgyal café is popular for its delicious selection of thin crust vegetarian and vegan pizzas. The “Pizza Vegan” in the menu immediately caught our eye and very soon, we had it served piping hot at our table. Pizza Vegan at Namgyal café is a brilliant-looking, lip-smacking ensemble of fresh tofu, vegetables, and herbs. The other vegan items on offer are seasonal fruit juices, herb teas, salads, quiche, crepes, noodles, rice, and soups. The system of taking orders for food is unique – you need to write your selections on a piece of paper and hand it over to the owner.

The “Vegan Pizza”

Namgyal café announces its daily specials on a board at the entrance. The staff informed us that they frequently change the menu depending upon the fresh produce available in the local villages. The staff appeared courteous and flexible. Namgyal café is vegan-friendly for sure!! Besides the enchanting views, the chants and hymns emanating from the monastery makes eating there an extraordinary experience.

Namgyal Café contact and food order details

Telephone: 01892-221040, 9816150562, and 9418287668
E-mail: [email protected]
Address: Namgyal Monastery, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj
Timings: 10am to 10pm
Cost factor: A hearty meal for two costs around Rs.250/-.
Caution: This is a lacto-ovo vegetarian eatery; at the time of placing the order, please put in a word to ensure that your preparation is free of dairy and eggs.