Food
Himachali Food Guide: Local Dishes to Try Around Shimla and Kufri
Siddu, babru, dham, madra, chha gosht and more — what Himachali food is, which dishes to look for near Shimla and Kufri, and how to enjoy them.
By The Pinewood Homestay Kufri3 min read
In this article
What is Himachali food?
Himachali food is the home-style cooking of Himachal Pradesh — hearty, warming dishes built on wheat, rice, lentils, yoghurt and local spices, shaped by cold winters and mountain farming. Many of the best-known dishes come from different districts — Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul — so what you find in Shimla and Kufri is a mix of local snacks and dishes from across the state.
Dishes to try near Shimla and Kufri
| Dish | What it is | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Siddu | Steamed wheat bun with a filling of walnuts, almonds or poppy seeds, eaten with ghee or curry | Across Himachal |
| Babru | Crisp, kachori-style snack of wheat and black gram, eaten with tamarind chutney and tea | Associated with Shimla |
| Dham | A traditional festive feast served on leaf plates | Across Himachal, with district variations |
| Madra | Chickpeas or vegetables cooked in spiced yoghurt | Chamba and Kangra |
| Chha gosht | Marinated lamb in a gram-flour and yoghurt gravy | Chamba |
| Tudkiya bhath | Spiced rice with lentils, potatoes and yoghurt | Chamba |
| Mittha / meetha bhaat | Sweet rice with dry fruits and raisins | Across Himachal, for celebrations |
| Aktori | Buckwheat pancake | Lahaul and Spiti |
| Bhey | Lotus stem cooked with gram flour, ginger and garlic | Home-style dish |
| Trout | Freshwater trout, simply cooked | Kullu region |
Siddu: the dish to try first
Siddu is a soft, steamed bun of leavened wheat dough with a savoury or nutty filling, traditionally served hot with ghee. It is filling, warming and perfect after a cold day out. Ask whether it is stuffed with walnuts, poppy seeds or a spiced lentil filling — styles vary.
Babru: Shimla's tea-time snack
Babru is a deep-fried, kachori-like bread made with wheat and black gram, usually eaten with tamarind chutney. It is a favourite with tea and an easy snack between sightseeing stops.
What is a Himachali dham?
Dham is a traditional feast served at weddings, family celebrations and temple festivals in Himachal Pradesh. According to Wikipedia, it is cooked by hereditary chefs called botis, preparation starts the night before, and guests sit on the floor and are served in courses on leaf plates called pattals.
A typical dham includes:
- Rice and moong dal
- Madra — kidney beans or chickpeas in a spiced yoghurt gravy
- Mash (black gram) dal with a sweet-sour khatta
- Meetha bhaat — sweet rice to finish
Each district has its own style — Mandi, Kullu and Kangra are the best known — and Kangri dham is often singled out as a favourite.
Can tourists try dham? Dham is mainly cooked for celebrations, so the most authentic way is to be invited to one. You may also find dham-style meals at some eateries in the region — ask locally.
Food tips for your Kufri trip
- Eat hot, eat local. Steaming siddu, dal and rice are made for mountain weather.
- Carry snacks on day trips. Roadside options thin out on longer drives to Narkanda or Chail.
- Cook your own when you want to. Staying in a suite with a kitchen lets you keep breakfasts simple and save eating out for local specialities.
- Take apples home in season. The orchards around Theog, Narkanda and Kotgarh are some of Himachal's best-known — see our apple season guide.
Staying near Kufri and want to cook?
The Pinewood Homestay Kufri has a Suite with Kitchen for two to four guests — handy for families, longer stays and work-from-home trips. Ask your host what the kitchen is equipped with before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous food of Himachal Pradesh? Dham is the best-known traditional feast; siddu is one of the most popular everyday dishes.
Is Himachali food spicy? It is aromatic rather than fiery. Many dishes are yoghurt-based and use warming spices such as cumin, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom.
Is Himachali food vegetarian? Many classic dishes, including most of a dham, are vegetarian; meat dishes such as chha gosht are also part of the cuisine.
Sources: Wikipedia — Dham; Veena World — Traditional foods of Himachal Pradesh.