Foodie's Guide to Manali in December 2023

1. Day 1: Johnson's Cafe
   10 minutes (2.5 km) from Manali Bus Stand

   In the morning, kick start your foodie adventure with breakfast at Johnson's Cafe, known for its delicious pancakes and coffee. Afterward, walk around Old Manali and visit the Manu Temple. In the afternoon, head to the picturesque Solang Valley and indulge in some local street food. End the day with dinner at the popular Cafe 1947, which serves Italian and European cuisine.

2. Day 2: Cafe Meraki
   15 minutes (5.3 km) from Cafe 1947

   Begin your day at Cafe Meraki, which offers a cozy ambiance and a wide range of breakfast options. After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Naggar Castle, about an hour outside of Manali. Enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains and explore the castle. Return to Manali in the evening for dinner at the Lazy Dog Lounge, a popular spot for its live music and delicious food.

3. Day 3: Johnson's Bar & Restaurant
   10 minutes (2.5 km) from Lazy Dog Lounge

   Start your day at Johnson's Bar & Restaurant, which serves a fantastic breakfast menu and has a cozy ambiance. After breakfast, visit the Hadimba Temple and the nearby Van Vihar National Park. In the evening, head to IL Forno, a popular Italian restaurant known for its wood-fired pizzas.

4. Day 4: The Corner House
   20 minutes (6.5 km) from IL Forno

   Begin your day at The Corner House, a bakery that offers fresh pastries and coffee. Afterward, take a scenic drive to Rohtang Pass, which is only accessible by car from June to October. If Rohtang Pass is closed, visit the nearby town of Vashisht instead. In the evening, have dinner at the popular Chopsticks restaurant, which offers Chinese and Tibetan cuisine.

5. Day 5: Johnson's Orchards
   15 minutes (2.5 km) from Chopsticks

   Start your day at Johnson's Orchards, which offers fresh fruit and vegetable juices, as well as a variety of breakfast options. Afterward, visit the Tibetan Monastery and the nearby Manali Bazaar. In the evening, head to The Johnson's Cafe & Hotel, which serves a range of local and international cuisine.

6. Day 6: Drifter's Cafe
   15 minutes (4.5 km) from The Johnson's Cafe & Hotel

   Begin your day at Drifter's Cafe, which serves a range of breakfast options and has a cozy ambiance. Afterward, visit the nearby town of Kullu and explore the Kullu Shawl Factory and the Raghunath Temple. In the evening, have dinner at the popular Cafe Mamasan, which serves delicious Korean cuisine.

Recommendations

If you have time, consider visiting the Himalayan Nyingmapa Gompa monastery or taking a trek to the nearby Jogini Falls. You can also take a day trip to Kasol or visit the nearby town of Naggar.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Breakfast at Johnson's Cafe (1 hour, ₹400)
• Manu Temple (1-2 hours, free)
• Street food at Solang Valley (1 hour, ₹200)
• Dinner at Cafe 1947 (1 hour, ₹800)
• Breakfast at Cafe Meraki (1 hour, ₹500)
• Naggar Castle (2-3 hours, ₹300)
• Dinner at Lazy Dog Lounge (1-2 hours, ₹1,000)
• Breakfast at Johnson's Bar & Restaurant (1 hour, ₹400)
• Hadimba Temple (1-2 hours, free)
• Van Vihar National Park (1-2 hours, ₹20)
• Dinner at IL Forno (1-2 hours, ₹1,000)
• Breakfast at The Corner House (1 hour, ₹500)
• Trip to Rohtang Pass or Vashisht (5-6 hours, ₹2,500)
• Dinner at Chopsticks (1 hour, ₹800)
• Breakfast at Johnson's Orchards (1 hour, ₹400)
• Tibetan Monastery (1-2 hours, free)
• Manali Bazaar (1-2 hours, free)
• Dinner at The Johnson's Cafe & Hotel (1-2 hours, ₹1,000)
• Breakfast at Drifter's Cafe (1 hour, ₹500)
• Trip to Kullu (4-5 hours, ₹2,000)
• Dinner at Cafe Mamasan (1-2 hours, ₹900)
• Total Estimated Costs: ₹13,720