Darjeeling

Darjeeling, ‘the Queen of the Hills’ attracts tourists around the world for a Scenic view of Kanchenjunga as it is a treat for the eyes. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

Tea and Darjeeling are synonymous. Darjeeling Tea is world-renowned for its flavor, which is unmatched by other tea-producing areas of India and the world. Trekking and adventure in the Sandakphu are one of the most popular reasons to visit.

Foods and drinks of Darjeeling is rich and distinctive as many other Indian cuisines. Here you get Tibetan, Nepalese and Bengali cuisine. Influence of Nepal and Tibet can be noticeably seen in the cuisine. In addition, the geographical and climatic conditions of Darjeeling have also had an impact on the way and kind of foods and drinks prepared in the Darjeeling. There are many kinds of restaurant and can also rely on street food. You will get Tea available in every corner of Darjeeling.

Darjeeling tea : Darjeeling tea occupies a place of pride for the whole of India. Pamper your taste buds with the best quality of tea. The aroma and taste of Darjeeling traditional tea is unmatched in the world. Darjeeling still uses the original methods of tea manufacture, identified as the “Orthodox” tea manufacture. ‘Organic tea’ is grown using natural manure and there is no use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in an organic tea garden. In recent times growing demand for the organic tea has driven some tea gardens of Darjeeling to produce organic tea. There are a total of 78 tea estates in the Darjeeling region, producing over 90 lakh kg of tea.

Momo : Momos are exceedingly accepted in Darjeeling and can be found in every restaurants to street vendors. Momo is a type of  steamed Meat , vegetable or cheese filled dumpling and accompanied with tomato and mayonnaise dip, a bowl of lucid tomato soup, soybean and sesame soup and aachaar. You can try different variations of momos, like Steam-momo,  fried momo, Jhol momo, Kothey momo, C-momo, Fry-momo, Open-momo.

Thukpa : Thukpa is essentially a Himalayan noodle soup, generally served with meat and is truly mouth-watering with lean chicken. Thukpa is basically a dish of Darjeeling but finds its roots in the Tibetan cuisine.  It is one of the most accepted dishes within the town and is available at almost all the restaurants and roadside stalls.

Sha phaley : shaphaley are widely loved in the Tibetan community, like momos. Also known as Shabhaley, is Incredibly delicious, a Tibetan “meat bread” dish is hot, savory, juicy meat pies. meat and cabbage stuffed bread, is then twisted into semi-circular or circular shapes and is either deep fried or pan fried. Usually served with lunch or dinner, often with a soup.

Tibetan tea : Tibetan butter tea (po cha) is an acquired taste, since it is salty rather than sweet, and has a entirely surprising aroma. habitually, it is made from tea leaves, water, butter, and salt. Many people don’t care for it much at first, but come to love it when it is allied with warmth on a cold day and good times with Tibetan friends with the adventure of travel in Himalayas. You may feel of it as a sort of light soup rather than as tea. like so, your mind isn’t so surprised when you drink it! .

Tongba : It is Local alcoholic beverage made from millet and usually sips through a bamboo straw. Sherpa households still prepare homemade tongba that accommodate backpackers around the Himalayas also available in local restaurants in surrounding regions.

Aloo Dum : The most characteristic dish in Bengali cuisine, along with the other cuisines, is Aloo Dum. This dish is created by boiling potato slices in a gravy composed of spices such as ginger, garlic, chopped onions, red chilli powder, and tomato sauce. It holds a particular place in the favourite dish of the town’s residents. The dish is finished with garnishes of coriander leaves, green chillies, and bhujia. Aloo Dum is available at almost all restaurants as well as local sellers around Mall Road.

As Darjeeling is a popular destination among foodies, it is packed with lovely dining restaurants. Here is some of the best restaurants in Darjeeling.

• Keventers : This rooftop restaurant is the most popular restaurant among tourists. This restaurant is at the beginning of the Darjeeling shopping centre. Popular dish: chicken and pork dish, Ham, Hot chocolate.
• Glenary’s : This is the best place for you to dine if you are a lover of cake and baking confectionary.  Popular: Hamburger, Cake, and Confectionery.
• Kunga : The best restaurant for Tibetan cuisines. This restaurant is located at the entrance to Gandhi Road. Popular dish: Steamed momo, chicken thenthuk soup, chicken wanton soup, Bhakthuk, Tibetan Tea.
• 16 Ana Bangali : You should visit this restaurant, If you are looking for bengali cuisine. This is located on the mall road. Popular dish: Hilsha, vetki paturi, galda chingri, pubda jhal.