What to do in Shimla
An 8 hours drive from New Delhi takes you to the summer capital of the Britishers during 300 years of the Raj. While I have visited the Shimla Mall Road at least 7 times, only on the 8th visit did I do true justice to make the effort of finding things you ought to see and eat here. And of course everyone should benefit from this knowledge..
- Old School Bakery Treats
As old as independent India, these bakeries offer the usual suspects like the Chocolate Eclairs from Krishna Bakery and then there is the signature like Spoonie from Trishool Bakery. Spoonie being their own invention consists of 2 layers of crunchy meringue with a chocolate cream filling. - Nathuram Lachmann Dass
Take the road forking to the left from Sher-e-punjab Dhaba (Easy to spot) at the Mall and walk till the very end of Lower Bazaar to find Doodh Jalebi. A tall glass of warm milk, bits of fresh hot jalebi and malai khurchan. Not as sweet or heavy as one would expect. - Kurkej
A local snack of mix veggies fried into thin sticks it is available at street vendors and bakeries at a fixed price of Rs 40 for 8 pieces. Best eaten hot, dunked into a mix of the three kinds of dips served all over the market. - Thukpa at Aunty’s Chinese
Much ahead at the Mall Road, down a staircase near the Fire Office lies a throng of small Asian eateries. The most popular one being Aunty’s. I love their Thukpa (Rs. 50) with a portion generous enough for two. Comfort and soul food at its cheapest best! - India Coffee House
A massive wall-mounted blackboard with the menu chalked out, waiters in traditional server attire and old posters. Everything seems to be preserved as it must have been from when it first opened, even the prices. At Rs. 35 we got a bowl of Strawberry Jelly and Cream. - Gaiety Theater
Continue to bask in the glory of a more glorious time with a walk between meals to this theater. Constructed in 1888, it is one among the 6 other surviving theaters of Victorian-Gothic architecture around the world. If vintage has you drooling and dreaming like me, don't skip this. (Closed on Monday’s.) - Sharma Tikki and Burger Corner
All the way up in the Lakkar Bazaar, where people walk up to for a panoramic view, my nose led me to the Tawa Sandwich that comes stuffed with coleslaw spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg between slices of white bread cooked in desi ghee. - Viceregal Lodge
5 kms drive away from the Mall lies the residence of every British Viceroy up till the independence. Now converted into Indian Advanced Studies, only a portion of the building is open for a guided tour. The Scottish architecture, the high ceilings and tall looming chandeliers, leather and library had me thinking what Hogwarts might be like.
(Closed on Monday’s)
While Wake and Bake is the only young cafe here, I found the food overrated. One must go here only for the view from the terrace to watch the sunset once during the trip.
The restaurant at Hotel Holiday Home is among the few places to serve local Himachali food. To my disappointment I found out that you have to place the order 3–5 hours in advance, so plan ahead.
There is a lot of walking around so always step out in comfy shoes.
