My 19 Best Restaurants in Leh Ladakh (And 4 Must Trys!)
Leh Ladakh is a beautiful place with a rich culture and delicious food. During my travels, I spent 2 weeks in Ladakh and had the opportunity to try out many restaurants in Leh.
After all, when the food is this cheap and so good, it would be a shame not to!
Here are 19 of the best restaurants in Leh, and 4 that I think you absolutely need to try while you’re there.
Table of Contents
First, What’s The Local Food In Leh?
When you visit Leh Ladakh, you must try the local food. The staple food of the region is thukpa, a noodle soup made with vegetables or meat. Another local delicacy is momos, which are steamed dumplings filled with meat or vegetables. For dessert, try the apricot jam or the sweetened yak cheese.
What will a meal cost you?
One of the best things about eating in Leh Ladakh is that the food is affordable. A meal for two people can cost between 500-800 Indian Rupees, which is around $7-11 USD.
4 Must Try Restaurants In Leh
I get it, you’re busy.
So before i go into all 19 of my recommendations, I wanted to share my 4 top spots.
Even if you’re only here for a few days, you NEED to check these places out – Honestly!
- The Best fine dining restaurant – Bon Apetit
- The Best local Experience – The Tibetan Kitchen
- The Best momos – Sky Wok Restaurant
- The Best vegan experience – Bodhi Greens
The Best fine dining restaurant – Bon Apetit
Bon Apetit is a fine dining restaurant that serves a mix of Indian and international cuisine. The ambiance of the restaurant is lovely, with beautiful paintings on the walls and comfortable seating. The food is delicious, and the service is excellent. Some of my favorite dishes were the butter chicken, lamb chops, and the chocolate mousse.
Their pizzas also slap!
Honestly eating here i was suddenly transported out of India and into Italy or Melbourne. And the best thing is you get a fine dining experience for the price of a budget meal back home. Sure, you’re opting out of ‘traditional indian food’ but it’s well work the treat for just one meal 🙂
The Best local experience food – The Tibetan Kitchen
If you want to experience authentic Ladakhi food, then The Tibetan Kitchen is the place to go. The restaurant is small and cozy, with traditional decor. The menu includes local delicacies like thukpa, momos, and butter tea. The food is delicious, and the staff is friendly and welcoming.
The Best Momos in Leh: Sky Wok Restaurant
Sky Wok Restaurant is a small, unassuming restaurant that serves (in my opinion) the best momos in Leh. The momos are made fresh and served hot, and the filling is perfectly seasoned. They’re also bigger than most other restaurants momos – YUM!
The restaurant also serves other dishes like thukpa and fried rice, but the momos are the highlight.
The Best vegan experience – Bodhi Greens
Bodhi Greens is a vegan restaurant that serves delicious, healthy food. The restaurant has a beautiful garden where you can sit and enjoy your meal. The menu includes dishes like salads, wraps, smoothie bowls, and vegan burgers. The food is fresh and flavorful, and the staff is friendly.
7 More Top Restaurants in Leh Ladakh
During my travels in Leh Ladakh, I had the opportunity to try out many restaurants. Here are my 11 favorites:
The Tibetan Kitchen
The Tibetan Kitchen is a small, cozy restaurant that serves authentic Ladakhi food. The menu includes dishes like thukpa, momos, and butter tea. The food is delicious, and the staff is friendly.
Bon Appétit
Bon Appétit is a fine dining restaurant that serves a mix of Indian and international cuisine. The food is delicious, and the service is excellent. Some of my favorite dishes were the butter chicken, lamb chops, and the chocolate mousse.
Lamayuru Restaurant
Lamayuru Restaurant is a small, cozy restaurant that serves authentic Ladakhi food. The menu includes dishes like thukpa, momos, and butter tea. The food is delicious, and the staff is friendly.
Bodhi Greens
Bodhi Greens is a vegan restaurant that serves healthy and delicious food. The menu includes dishes like salads, wraps, smoothie bowls, and vegan burgers. The food is fresh and flavorful, and the staff is friendly.
Alchi Kitchen
Alchi Kitchen is a small, cozy restaurant that serves authentic Ladakhi food. The menu includes dishes like thukpa, momos, and butter tea. The food is delicious, and the staff is friendly.
Sky Wok Restaurant
Sky Wok Restaurant serves the best momos in Leh Ladakh. The momos are made fresh and served hot, and the filling is perfectly seasoned. The restaurant also serves other dishes like thukpa and fried rice.
Namza Café
Namza Café is a small, cozy café that serves delicious food. The menu includes dishes like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. The café has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
La Piazzetta
La Piazzetta is a fine dining restaurant that serves Italian cuisine. The food is delicious, and the restaurant has a lovely ambiance. The staff is friendly and welcoming.
Penguin Garden Restaurant
Penguin Garden Restaurant is a small, cozy restaurant that serves authentic Ladakhi food. The menu includes dishes like thukpa, momos, and butter tea. The food is delicious, and the staff is friendly.
Il Forno
Il Forno is an Italian restaurant that serves delicious pizza and pasta. The restaurant has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
Shubh Punjabi, Main Market, Leh
Shubh Punjabi is a restaurant that serves Punjabi cuisine. The food is delicious, and the staff is friendly.
Pumpernickel German Bakery
Pumpernickel German Bakery serves delicious bread, pastries, and cakes. The bakery has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
Neha Snacks
Neha Snacks is a small, cozy restaurant that serves delicious snacks like samosas and pakoras. The food is fresh, and the staff is friendly.
Lala’s Art Café
Lala’s Art Café is a small, cozy café that serves delicious food. The menu includes dishes like sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. The café has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
Coffee Culture
Coffee Culture is a café that serves delicious coffee and snacks. The café has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
Lehvenda Café
Lehvenda Café is a small, cozy café that serves delicious food. The menu includes dishes like burgers, sandwiches, and pasta. The café has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
3 Wise Monkeys Café
3 Wise Monkeys Café is a small, cozy café that serves delicious food. The menu includes dishes like sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. The café has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
Syah, Ladakh Sarai
Syah is a fine dining restaurant that serves Indian and international cuisine. The food is delicious, and the restaurant has a lovely ambiance. The staff is friendly and welcoming.
Cafe Cloud
Cafe Cloud is a small, cozy café that serves delicious food. The menu includes dishes like sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. The café has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
Chopsticks Noodle Bar
Chopsticks Noodle Bar is a small, cozy restaurant that serves delicious Chinese food. The food is fresh, and the staff is friendly.
Gesmo Restaurant
Gesmo Restaurant is a small, cozy restaurant that serves delicious food. The menu includes dishes like thukpa, momos, and butter tea. The food is delicious, and the staff is friendly.
Bob’s Café
Bob’s Café is a small, cozy café that serves delicious food. The menu includes dishes like sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. The café has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
Little Italy
Little Italy is an Italian restaurant that serves delicious pizza and pasta. The restaurant has a lovely ambiance, and the staff is friendly.
| Restaurant Name | Average Price per Meal | Type of Food | Recommended Dish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bon Apetit | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Indian and international | Butter chicken, lamb chops, chocolate mousse |
| The Tibetan Kitchen | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Ladakhi | Thukpa, momos, butter tea |
| Lamayuru Restaurant | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Ladakhi | Thukpa, momos, butter tea |
| Bodhi Greens | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Vegan | Salads, wraps, smoothie bowls, vegan burgers |
| Alchi Kitchen | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Ladakhi | Thukpa, momos, butter tea |
| Sky Wok Restaurant | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Chinese | Momos, thukpa, fried rice |
| Namza Café | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | International | Pizza, pasta, sandwiches |
| La Piazzetta | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Italian | Pizza, pasta |
| Penguin Garden Restaurant | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Ladakhi | Thukpa, momos, butter tea |
| Il Forno | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Italian | Pizza, pasta |
| Shubh Punjabi | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Punjabi | Unknown |
| Pumpernickel German Bakery | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Bakery | Bread, pastries, cakes |
| Neha Snacks | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Snacks | Samosas, pakoras |
| Lala’s Art Café | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | International | Sandwiches, burgers, pizza |
| Coffee Culture | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Café | Coffee, snacks |
| Lehvenda Café | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | International | Burgers, sandwiches, pasta |
| 3 Wise Monkeys Café | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | International | Sandwiches, burgers, pizza |
| Syah, Ladakh Sarai | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Indian and international | Unknown |
| Cafe Cloud | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | International | Sandwiches, burgers, pizza |
| Chopsticks Noodle Bar | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Chinese | Noodles, dumplings |
| Gesmo Restaurant | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Ladakhi | Thukpa, momos, butter tea |
| Bob’s Café | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | International | Sandwiches, burgers, pizza |
| Little Italy | 500-800 INR ($7-11 USD) | Italian | Pizza, pasta |
In conclusion, Leh Ladakh has a lot of great restaurants to try out. Whether you want to experience authentic Ladakhi food or try out international cuisine, there is something for everyone. The food is delicious, affordable, and the staff is friendly and welcoming.
India Travel Planning Cheatsheet
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for India?
100% YES! — India has free healthcare and it works, but it’s something you don’t want to experience (Trust me – I did!). For the private hospitals you’ll need travel insurance in case anything happens on your visit. Also be aware many policies won’t cover high altitude hiking as it’s a high risk activities like motorcyle riding!
(that’s right, check the t&c’s on your complimentary credit card insurance)
I highly recommend World Nomads as you can get specific add-ons for high altitude hiking UP TO 6000m (Which most travel insurance companies don’t offer!) and other activiites.
🎫 Do I need a visa for India?
Yes, probably — India require a tourist visa for visitors from most western countires which allows you stay for up to 90 days.
This Lonely Planet aritcle summarises the visa requirements nicely.
💉Do I need any vaccinations for India?
YES! Make sure you are up-to-date with all your vaccines. Common travel vaccines include Hep A/B + Typhoid, and Diphtheria + Tetanus.
Rabies is also an issue in India but the vaccine is expensive and ineffective as a preventative measure (it only lasts a few years and you’ll need to get them again if you require treatment). If bitten by a stray dog (like I was!) seek immediate medical attention!
As always, talk to your GP or specialised travel doctor a few weeks BEFORE you leave.
💸How do you pay for things in India?
Cash is king in Indiaa, so you’ll want to get some folding tender out from an ATM when you land. Larger businesses and hotels will take Debit / Credit Card but most resturants, and street vendors want cash.
I personally use a Wise debit card for all my international money needs as they only convert the funds when you make payment, plus they offer a much better spread (margin on the true exhange rate) than the banks do. They work in all the Tanzanian ATMs I tried. .
📲 How do I get internet/data/wifi in India?
This one needs a whole nother article, but the short version is prepaid SIM cards are cheap and availible to tourists and locals alike (You don’t need a pricey tourst SIM!)
Your cheapest option is buying a physical sim card on the street corner once landed and getting the shop assistant to help you set it up. I went with Vodafone and had generally good coverage.
Now when I travel I use is the Saily eSIM. This is a little more expensive but works from the moment you land is is SOOOOO much easier than the in person verification process required for a local sim. I used to use Airalo but now find Saily a much better product – you can get 5% off with code SPECIAL5
NB: The catch was travelling into Kashmir where out of state sims dont work, and you can’t get a local sim without a phone contract and local ID!
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to India?
For finding cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. Once you find the flight you’re looking for, I’d then suggest booking directly with the carrier (even if it costs a few $$ more than with one of the agreggators/agencies).
💧Can you drink the water in India?
Safest not to — tap water in India in some areas (larger cities) may be OK (the locals drink it) but is generally untreated and not reccommended for tourists. Purchase bottled water for drinking and teeth brushing.
