I recently went to Bir Billing for paragliding. It is one of the safest paragliding destinations in India and one of the second best in the world. India has been hosting the paragliding championship for the last two years. On my way back I stayed at Mcleodganj for three days.
Mcleodganj is a commercial town and surrounded by tourists. It's good for shopping and cafes. Thanks to international travellers there has been an increase in the number of cafes at such places in the last 2-3 years. I stayed at this hotel called Zambala and it was a decent hotel. The room was clean, nice and comfortable. And since it was in the centre of the city, we could just walk to the nearby places. Some of the favourite cafes that I went to are:
1. Shambhala restaurant: they are good with their breakfast and coffee but I didn't quite enjoy the food there especially their momos. They were huge and didn't taste as good as the ones you get on the street. Personally, one should go for the street side momos rather than the restaurant ones. Shambhala did have good thukpa though.
2. Illiterati Cafe: I went here twice and I must admit that it is one of the best cafes I've ever been to. It's a huge cafe integrated with a bookstore and a mini terrace kind of setting. Fortunately I was there during full moon day and I could witness the moonrise from behind the mountains illuminating our tiny table with its full might. Everything on their menu is droolworthy, be it coffee, sandwiches or burger.
3. Moonpeak Espresso: another favourite cafe of mine for breakfast. It's a tiny cafe located in a busy shopping lane. A must try for coffee and chicken sandwiches.
4. Shiva cafe: one of the most popular cafes of India, to be honest I was a bit tad underwhelmed by it. Firstly, it's located on top of a mountain so the trek is literally exhausting and then the food (not that I tried anything fancy) is nothing to rave about either. It's just the location that attracts people and the not-so-great view from the top. The only good thing was the fresh mountain water from the tap which you'll need after the tiring steep trek!
5. McLlo: perhaps the most famous Indian restaurant in the entire Mcleoganj only cause it has host the cricket team from India and elsewhere. The entire place is full of photos of all the popular cricketers with the owner and the food was just like any other Indian restaurant but the apple cider beer is something that could be given a try there. Good place to drink and chill with friends.
There is also a small village Nadi near Mcledoganj city where we took a cab while going and because we wanted to enjoy the sunset, we trekked all the way down from the valley. It was a beautiful little trek and I'd advise you to try it too. You'll find the descending walk down the narrow green valley exciting and peaceful.