Ri Kynjai





Food from comparatively the best chefs in Shillong, serving a wide range of cuisine, that’s La Galerie for you. Mirrors create an illusion of space while a latticed ceiling and foliage winding through it gives the place a distinct patio-like feel. CUISINE: Indian/Chinese/Continental. La Galerie offers a wide range of delectable options for both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian palate. The Chinese menu offers starters like Drums of Heaven, Sea Food Soup and for the main course Kung-Pao Chicken –A diverse choice is available is pork, fish or prawn (seasonal). The Indian menu serves up a wide range of cuisine from different regions, from ‘Lalhnavi Gosht Seekh Kabab’ to ‘Hyderabadi Gosht Korma’ and ‘Machhli Amritsari Ajwain’, Dessert is a grand finale with the ‘Shahi Tukda’ and ‘Amrit Dahi’. The continental menu is a relish, with delectably prepared concoctions like Pork Chop Robert or Chiken Stragonoff . Dessert include Dusty Dawn Boat, Nutty Chocolate Mousse and Caramel Custard are other recommended desserts The service is attentive and cordial, with the essential quality of being seen when required.


Skye Asia, the resto-lounge at Cloud 9 can be best described as the only bourn for a gourmand, or simply any lover of pure, exquisite Pan-Asian cuisine. The diner has the option of lounging in comfy, low-slung couches or an elegantly appointed dining setting. A fascinating collection of original paintings and other artwork on its walls spells out the essence of Skye Asia: exclusive. CUISINE: Pan-Asian. The regulars of Skye Asia endorse the fried spring prawns and Butterfly prawns from the non-vegetarian appetizers section. Chimney Soup and Manchu Soup are popular favorites for starters. Select for the main course, rice like the Chicken Mushroom Fortune Rice accompanied by Chicken Balls with Mushroom and Spring Onions. Or opt for a spicy fish. Pork with bamboo shoot and mushroom drawn from the traditional North-eastern cuisine is a must for anyone wanting to sample North-Eastern cuisine. The vegetarian menu offers specialties like Buddha’s Delight and the Dragon Chopsuey. The service was efficient and polite, quick to attend to the diner’s needs


The Rice Court, the ‘dining room’ at the Royal Heritage-Tripura Castle, has the distinction of being the first heritage hotel in the North-east. CUISINE: The standard menu is Chinese with a diverse choice of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. For guests and those desiring to sample traditional Khasi dishes like jadoh, tungrymbai, or doh khlieh are available-albeit an order placed 24 hours in advance. We tried and recommend Chinese Chopsuey, the Rice Court Chimney Soup and Hakka Chicken. Try other house specialties like Spiced Eight Jewels, Chicken with Pineapple, Mapo’s Bean Curd and a host of other delicacies. Definitely makes for an ‘at-home’ and sumptuous dining experience.


Eastern décor, with bamboo matting on the walls and ceilings with subtle yellow lighting gives Bamboo Hut the ambience synonymous with its name. CUISINE: Indian/Chinese/Thai. Regular clients swear by the Wanton Soup and Drumsticks. We tried and recommend: Veg Pulao, Chicken Reshmi Butter Masala, Strawberry/Pina Colada and Orange Soufflé. A very family-oriented restaurant with a pleasant ambience overall.


Bombay Biites has an ambience that draws inspiration from the finest eating places in Bombay. The restaurant delivers, without burning a hole in your pocket. CUISINE: Indian/Chinese/Continental. This place also serves up a wide variety from its fast-food segment. Pizzas, burgers, rolls, sandwiches, cakes and desserts are a staple. We tried and recommend the Chicken Shashlik Sizzler, Pizza Flama and Chicken Manchurian Pizza. Also, try the black forest, chocolate and pineapple pastries from the dessert section. Bombay Biites lives up to its slogan ‘My Kinda Place’; it’s exactly the kind of place that keeps calling you back.


First impression:: The old world charm and the spacious and elegant setting of Pinewood is a welcome change. CUISINE: The restaurant serves up from a multi-cuisine menu, from Indian to Chinese, and Continental. What it is widely known for, however, is its colonial-style meals. A variety of wines are also available, from Red/White Riviera to Port Wine. Alcohol is served only between 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Cocktail lovers can indulge. We tried and recommend Chicken Cordon Bleu, Russian Salad Presentation outdid flavour in both cases. The continental menu offers non-vegetarian delicacies like fish meuniere, baked fish with melted butter, Fish Au Gratin and Chicken A La Kiev. Vegans can pick Baked Vegetables with corn or Vegetable Au Gratin For starters, pick hors’deouvres like Potato and Apple Salad or Fruit Cocktail. The service was courteous and attentive, although rather slow.


A thatched roof corridor with hanging plants, lanterns, and hanging cane baskets lead to the main eating area. Two‘family huts’ are an attraction that provide seclusion for around 4 tables each. CUISINE:Indian/Chinese. We tried the day’s specialties, the Chicken (Local) Masala and the Tandoori Chicken Sizzler. City Hut Dhaba is most renowned for its thalis.The service was polite and attentive. With the thalis, it is a decent meal at just under Rs. 200 for two


Graffiti on the walls and a lounge area in the corner that doubles up as a ‘smoking zone’ lends Swish Café the affable air of a coffee-shop that immediately makes you feel at home. The USP of this place is its coffee. CUISINE: Continental/Thai. Breakfast at Swish is possibly the best breakfast to be had in town—a special English breakfast with bacon, sausages baked beans, egg grilled tomato with toast and coffee. Swish also serves a variety of toast, from the regular French to cinnamon toast. Meal choices from the Asian menu include ‘nasi goreng’, an Indonesian-style fried rice. We tried and recommend roast pork/chicken with steamed veggies, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, Chargrilled chicken salad, chicken Caesar salad, or tuna & macaroni salad. Pasta is available only on Sundays. Swish Café has the tradition of being a small melting pot of people who like to discuss ideas, and catch up on the latest.


It is a rather tiny restaurant in an unassuming locale, which makes up for the lack of space by its excellent authentic Naga cuisine. Framed black and white sketches of Naga tribes-people on the walls and wooden kitchenware complete the ambience. CUISINE:Naga. The menu describes distinctive Naga delicacies like Chicken and White Pumpkin and even smoked intestines for the brave at heart. We tried and recommend: The meal for the day is pre-selected and displayed on the table card. In our case, the ‘thali’ consisted of rice, steamed vegetables, pork with fresh bamboo shoot and two different chutneys. Orders can be placed 24 hours in advance on fresh meat items (Pig’s trotters, fresh fish ‘tangmu’. Pork and ‘akhoni’—fermented soyabeans, etc) and 48 hours for smoked meat items like smoked intestines and smoked beef curry.Delectable food and a must-try for the first time visitor to the North-east.


Located right at the heart of Bara Bazar, in Motphran, Neolith is an impeccably kept restaurant that serves delectable local cuisine. The seats have backs interestingly shaped like monoliths and paintings depicting traditional folklore complete the look. CUISINE:Khasi. The choice of Khasi cuisine range from the staple ‘Jadoh’ to ‘Doh Jem’—minced pork with black sesame seeds to ‘Doh Shain’—minced meat balls. The delicious meal complete with local pickles and fried vegetables in typical Khasi fashion at just under Rs. 150 for two makes Neolith a dining experience to remember at a throwaway price.


A little Khasi restaurant, it is definitely not the most conducive setting to sit and dine but the authentic, delicious Khasi cuisine it serves up, makes Trattoria an absolute pit-stop for those craving a taste of local cuisine. Order and take-away Khasi dishes like ‘jadoh’, ‘doh jem’, ‘doh khlieh’ wrapped in aromatic plantain leaves. Service is fast and efficient.


Delhi Mistanna Bhander is definitely Shillong’s one stop for everything from ‘mawa ladoos’, ‘besan barfis’ to its most famous ‘jalebis’, and a host of other sweets from different parts of India. Delhi Mistanna Bhander is best known for its steaming hot ‘gulab jamuns’ and ‘jalebis’ .which are served hot from the frying pan. This shop is the pioneer of the sweet-meat business in Shillong and it continues to live up to its reputation of making the best ‘mithais’ around since it first set up business in 1933.

Content by Ms Grace Alice Singh