Foodgasm In Darjeeling

Darjeeling is LOVE. Whenever we cross ‘Tung-Sonada-Ghum’ and have a glimpse of ‘Queen of the Hills’ our extravagant soul becomes nostalgic. Darjeeling is nostalgia for every Bong. Today I’m not going to discuss the beautiful places we can see in Darjeeling… This is about gastronomic interest of tourists and travellers.  The hill station is famous for British breakfast, Tibetan, Chinese and Nepali cuisines. Bengali food is now also included in the menu. Darjeeling has a vast collection of vintage restaurants and new restaurants are also being added to the list. Glenary’s, Keventers and Kunga are now synonymous to Darjeeling. The Park Restaurant is also now securing its place in Darjeeling food map…

Kanchenjunga from Glenary's, Darjeeling

Here we go…

1. Glenary’s:

Glenary’s is a landmark of Darjeeling. It is a gastronomic delight to every tourist. The joint is located at Nehru Road very near to Mall.

In the very beginning the restaurant was named as ‘Vado’ by its Italian owner. Later it was named as ‘Pliva’. A.T. Edward, a Darjeeling local was a manager of this place. His family later brought this place and renovated the place and started the restaurant in new manner. Edward changed the name to Glenary’s.

Glenary’s serves the best breakfast in Darjeeling. The two storied building has its bakery on the ground floor. The aroma of freshly baked cakes and muffins is divine. The seating arrangement is at an open terrace. You can enjoy your breakfast while having a nice view of Darjeeling town. If you are lucky enough you can have a magnificent view of Kanchenjunga from your breakfast table.

Sandwiches, burgers, pies, pastries, pizzas, cakes and fresh breads and loaves are their famous items. Darjeeling tea, coffee and marzipans are must tries in Glenary’s and don’t forget to take some Glenary,s chocolate back home.In addition to this they have a multi cuisine restaurant on the top floor and a buzz bar in the basement.

Timing: 7:30AM- 8:00PM
Pocket Pinch: 400/person

2. Keventers:

This place is also a landmark in Darjeeling, founded by Edward Keventers in the year 1911. They serve authentic English breakfast. Keventers is located at Nehru Road that leads to Chowrasta Mall.

The 100 years old eatery serves best English breakfast, tea and snacks in this hill town. They have a narrow two storied building. The ground floor is bakery and take away counter. If you climb the narrow wooden stairs you will reach their seating area. The way to upstairs is decorated with pictures of legendary films, which were shoot in this place. Among them Satyajit Ray’s ‘Kanchenjunga’ and Anurag Basu’s ‘Barfi’ is much known to us.

The seating area is divided into two sections: an indoor seating area with few seats and an outdoor open terrace seating area. If you are lucky enough to secure a seat in the outdoor area (as there are always long queues during breakfast hours) you will have a view of mountains and famous Clock Tower of Darjeeling.

Here you can get varieties of sandwiches, burgers and various meats and snacks items. Chicken, pork and cheese filled meat loaf sandwiches, ham and bacon burgers, hot dogs, salami, fried bacons and eggs are their signature dishes. For beverages hot chocolate is a must try. Darjeeling tea, coffee, chocolate shakes are also very famous here.

Timing: 7:30AM- 7:30PM
Pocket Pinch: 350/person

3. Kunga:

The third famous eatery in Darjeeling is Kunga. It is famous for Chinese and Tibetan delicacies. Kunga is a budget restaurant located in Dekeling Hotel building on Gandhi Road next to the Taxi stand.

The two decades old restaurant is run by a Tibetan Buddhist family. The place serves best thenthuks, bhakthuks and other kinds of local noodles. Wonton soup is their signature dish.

Tibetan scrolls and motifs on wood paneled walls create a great ambience. It is a cozy place to have your diner. The ambience is friendly and casual. Kunga is famous for steaming hot good quality of food which is pocket friendly and large in quantity.

Timing: 8:00AM- 9:00PM
Pocket Pinch: 200/person

The Park Restaurant:

The Park is comparatively a newer addition to Darjeeling Yum Street. It is very famous for delicious Thai cuisines. The Park is located near Clock Tower opposite to State Bank of India Building on Laden La Road.

The restaurant was established in the year 1993. They are famous for great Thai cuisines as well as Chinese and Indian. The restaurant is located at upper floor of a two storied building. The dining room is spacious and well decorated. As you enter the restaurant you will see nice décor and a well stocked bar. The artificial fire place and Chinese masks on the walls are very impressive. On the right side you will find two window side tables from where you can have nice views.

Their Thai cuisine is best in the town. Some mouth watering dishes are tom yam soup, flat rice noodles, red curry, Thai salad etc. Among Chinese dishes chilli prawn, chilli chicken, chicken with sweet basil, fried rice and noodles are really nice. Their varieties of cocktails are also very attractive. The park is really a value for money fine dining restaurant.

Timing: 10:00AM- 10:00PM
Pocket Pinch: 400/person

In addition to above mentioned places you will find many street food joints, Bengali and Nepali cuisine restaurants.

Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.......... Anita Desai

Photo Credit: Dr. Kaustav Chakraborty