Places to Gobble at Bir

If you have to imagine some quirky and hippie cafes in the hills, I’m sure Kasol and Mcleodganj comes first to your mind. But, there are other places too where you can find that right genre of music, cool ambience and of course, flabbergasting food. In my recent visit to Bir, I encountered some wonderful places which can easily satiate our inner foodie. Bir happens to be a perfect weekend getaway for those living in NCR. I explored all the nooks and corners of the place, while inhaling the mint-fresh air as much as I could. The warm mornings, chilly nights, humble people, serene nature and positive vibe is something that soaked me in. But the thing that attracted me the most was an array of eating outlets, and the diversity in food. Apart from ubiquitous Maggie and Pasta, Bir has so much more to offer which just cannot be ignored. Though I tried many, I’ve shortlisted three of the most awesome cafes, which should be everyone's must visit list.

Moonshine Madness Café and Lounge:

You will not find this one in any of the travel sites. So don’t look for it in any ‘places to eat at Bir' listicles. Started by a young local chap who has spent some part of his life in Delhi, this café is too good to be true. The menu is handcrafted by the owner who makes sure that you go back with a happy tummy. The soothing ambience is Moonshine's USP, which will be loved by all. With lots of cushion, string lights and artistic paintings, you can sit and have a gala time with your peers. They keep themselves open till late night which becomes a lifesaver for many. You can try out their pizzas, sweet crispy chicken, hot skewers, chicken schnitzel and their magic dish called cookies and vanilla parfait. At night if you are too cold, you can ask for a hot coal pit to keep your self warm while eating. For pet lovers, this café is a heaven as they will be hosted by Jugni and Thor, who make sure you indulge into happy eating. I would recommend this place for dinner as you will not regret ending your day at Moonshine Madness.

Garden Café

True to its name, this café is situated in a garden and has both outdoor and indoor seating options. This place is best for breakfast, as you can sit in the garden area surrounded by chirping birds and the morning sun rays kissing you. Offering some of the best vegan dishes, the café is located in the outskirts of the Tibetan Colony. Run by two boys, they make everything fresh from the scratch and use lot of veggies in every dish. The price is pocket friendly and the menu is perfectly curated for breakfast. Veg cheese sandwich and local veg cheese spaghetti is something to try out for and go for the normal tea instead of masala tea. This café is more on a quieter side as you will not get music and hippie environment here. The creepers covering the compound wall, pebbles on the walk area and huge glass windows add charm to this place. Also, if there is a hidden artist in you, you can grab the drawing book from the shelves and scribble till your order comes to the table.

Vairagi Café

I would suggest this place, to have your evening snacks. This is situated on the main road of Chougan or the Tibetan Colony of Bir. The place is nicely done up by the girl who runs the café. She also makes stone art on order which ranges from 600 to 1500 rupees. The menu is quite generic with soup, noodles, momos, sandwiches and pastries. Though it is a small place with not much of seating area, you will always find people here with some activities going on. Besides having mouthwatering food in the cafe, you can play guitar, paint and enjoy bonfire. The food is quite affordable and is generally relished by people who have just landed after paragliding. I enjoyed sipping their sweet and sour veg soup while the sun was setting for the day.