I have often felt that street food in Indian Hill Stations some how tastes better than most places. Maybe it has got to do with the freshness of the air or the hygiene factor as even road side places are generally clean out here. If you are a foodie and love to try some local street side food, there are certain places that you should definitely give a try and not miss during your stay here
1) Sita Ram and Son - I had heard so much about this place for Chola Bhaturas that every time I visited Simla , I planned visiting it yet it eluded me sometimes they were out of stock or at other times, they were shut because of Sunday. Finally , when I managed, I surely was a happier man. They do not serve Bhaturas ( as I had thought ) but according to them it is called Luchi ( it's like Bhaturas, flatter and less deep fried) along with Cholas. The sweet chutney topping on the Cholas give them an added flavour and makes all the difference. The place is inundated with customers as long as their stock lasts and no place to sit but one does enjoy every single bite of the meal.
Cost for Two - Rs 100
Speciality - Cholas and Luchis
2) Pawan Pakore Wala - This small corner is located in New Shimla which is not a very tourist central place. Yet if you want to try fresh Kurkez ( which is speciality of Simla) you got to head to this place. Even though you would find Kurkez at Krishna Baker's, but since they are not fresh and they just heat in microwave and serve, it loses it's charm. Kurkez , if you unaware, looks like Fish Finger and if you love Fish Fingers might even find taste similar but at the end of the day it is a vegetarian dish made out of variety of veggies like mashes potato, cauliflower, carrot etc. in the shape of a stick and deep fried. It taste amazing with the variety of dips or chutneys it's served with . Apart from Kurkez, the place also serves vegetarian pakoras, samosas, bread pakoras and even momos
Must Read: old manali
Cost for Two - Rs. 100
Speciality - Kurkez, Pakoras
3) Navbahar (Near Saint Beads College) - Had my wife not even from Simla, I would have probably never experienced the Bun Tikkis or Hot Dog from this place which is located very close to Saint Beads College. This is yet another place where you would find a long queue of people and despite us calling them in advance to get a few hot dogs packed for us , they were unable to do so . We got the Bun Tikkis packed and ate them in the evening along with some tea and this combination is a definite must try. The place also serves chat and tikki . It does not even have a sign board put anywhere so probably the best way to find it is by asking the locals when nearby.
Cost for Two - Rs 100
Speciality - Hot Dog or Bun Tikki
4) Baljees - If one is strolling through the street of Mall Road, one is more or less likely to come across a big sweet shop called Baljees. Baljees is quite popular for their freshly prepared sweets and they are more popular for the hot steaming Gulab Jamuns that they serve out there. If you are not very fond of Indian sweets, you got to try atleast one of their Gulab Jamuns and feel for yourself how they melt in your mouth.
Cost for Two - Rs 50
Speciality - Steaming Hot Gulab Jamuns
5) Cafe Anna's in Annadale - No mention of street food in the Hills is complete without bringing Maggi into the picture. The best Maggi that I've happened to eat in Simla was at Cafe Anna's which is an extremely tiny little cafe located near the Golf Grounds of Annadale. After exploring the Army Museum above, this place is perfect to relax and have some refreshing Rhododendron juice along with freshly cooked Maggi.
Cost for Two - Rs. 200
Speciality - Various Types of Maggi
About Shimla
Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and sees a lot of tourist influx each year. Even though the hill station has commericalized a lot, the charm of Mall Road is still not lost . Apart from the Mall Road, the Hill station has a lot more to offer . It is a foodie's delight and these are some of the must try food items during your visit.
