The Flavors of the Mountains
Himachali cuisine is soul food — warm, hearty, and made with locally-sourced ingredients. Here are the 7 dishes you absolutely must try.
1. Siddu
Steamed wheat-flour buns stuffed with poppy seed paste or walnut filling. Served with ghee or dal — pure comfort food on a cold mountain evening.
2. Dhaam
The traditional Himachali feast served on a leaf plate. Includes rajma, dal, rice, curd-based kadhi, and sweet meetha. Served during festivals and weddings but available at local eateries.
3. Tudkiya Bhath
A Himachali pulao cooked with lentils, potatoes, and a distinctive spice blend. Unlike any rice dish you've had — tangy, earthy, and deeply satisfying.
4. Babru
Think deep-fried stuffed bread — black dal filling wrapped in wheat dough and fried to crispy perfection. Best paired with tamarind chutney.
5. Chha Gosht
Lamb cooked in a chickpea flour-based yogurt gravy. The tanginess of yogurt with tender meat creates an unforgettable combination.
6. Aktori
A sweet buckwheat pancake from Lahaul-Spiti, made during festivals. Dense, filling, and unlike any pancake you've tasted.
7. Kullu Trout
Fresh rainbow trout from the Beas river, pan-fried with minimal spices. Available at riverside restaurants and at cafes like ours at NestoStay.
Where to Find These
Our NestoStay café serves several Himachali specials alongside global backpacker favorites. Ask your host for the day's special!