Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar (Indian & Oriental Fine Dining Restaurant in Shimla) — Restaurant in Himachal Pradesh

In the hustle bustle of Shimla Mall Road, located is Eighteen 71 Cookhouse and Bar at Hotel Willow Banks deriving its name from the year the property dates back to. The decor has elements of wood, leather and metal being contemporary and modern, full of delightful and plush ambience for a fine dining experience.

The cuisine is one to fall in love with- Pan Indian and Oriental and also live grills to set the mood with some innovative cocktails and mocktails from the bar section.

As the day starts and you are in mood to have good food, the buffet spread delights you and the lovely lunch and also the evening magic with mood lighting and upbeat music playing. The classic flavours in the food retaliate with your fun mood with the much desired contemporary twist which adds to the excitement of the entire dining experience. The menu has Mughlai food, Oriential cuisine (Chinese, Thali, Malay & Burmese), Bengali curries, Parsi specialities, Chettinad delicacies and Rajasthani delights too. The live grills being the attraction for many and so the restaurant is set apart. The dessert spread even has Paan Kulfi which is an absolute favourite amongst many.

We had two of our meals here. For the lovely dinner that we had at Eighteen 71- we first had Paneer Tikka- delicious big chunks of paneer which were tasty and spicy with grilled capsicums and onions. Palak Paneer was very delectable.  All the breads- Butter Naan, Tandoori Roti and Pudina Parantha were perfectly soft and layered with love.  Next were Steamed Rice and Dal Makhani- the dal was lovely and creamy and the rice was perfectly cooked.  In Desserts, Gulab Jamun was very soft with dessicated coconut sprinkled on it while Badam Kheer was nice too and yes sweetly heavenly. It was a great meal with old classics playing in the background. I missed having the Goan Curry and Malabar specialities but there is always a next time.

Our next meal was a Buffet Breakfast here consisting of an elaborate spread. There was Grilled Tomatoes, Hash Browns which were nicely cooked and baked, Baked Beans, Boiled Eggs, Veg. Penne Pasta (yum!), Cornflakes, Muesli, Paratha with pickles- very fulfilling, Pao Bhaji (so delicious), Idli Sambhar (sambhar was spicy with lotsa veggies in it), Butter Toast, Jam Toast and much more. Then there were live counters from the Chef's Section of Omelette (it was really nicely made), Uttapam and Dosa- the dosa was hot, crisp and yummy. There was fresh Apple Juice and Cold Coffees too along with Muffins, Chocolate Cakes and Fruit Cakes. It was a lavish spread of breakfast and everything that I tried was excellent and worth recommending (especially the hot favourite Pao Bhaji).

Needless to mention, all COVID precautions are being followed. Eighteen 71 hosts musical evenings with a mix of retro music in both Hindi and English and also has plans to host comedy nights in Shimla soon so you have another reason to visit Eighteen...

Operating Hours: Open daily from 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM, Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar offers an all-day dining experience.

Location: Conveniently located near the Tourism Lift on The Mall, Shimla, this restaurant is easily accessible for both locals and tourists.

Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar, established in 2016, beautifully combines Shimla’s rich colonial heritage with modern dining elegance. Its name, inspired by the year the property was established, adds a historical charm to its luxurious ambiance and exquisite menu.

What Makes Eighteen71 Stand Out?

Ambiance • The decor is a fusion of vintage and modern, with wooden, leather, and metallic accents. • The cozy yet regal vibe makes it an ideal spot for everything from casual lunches to intimate dinners.

Diverse Menu Eighteen71 offers a wide variety of dishes to suit every palate: • Indian Cuisine: Enjoy Mughlai favorites, Bengali curries, Parsi dishes, Chettinad flavors, and Rajasthani specialties. • Oriental Cuisine: Relish authentic Chinese, Thai, Malay, and Burmese dishes prepared with traditional techniques. • Live Grills: Freshly grilled options made to order. • Desserts: Don’t miss the signature Paan Kulfi, a refreshing dessert perfect for Shimla’s cool weather. • Popular Dishes: Pan Fried Noodles, Dal Makhani, Penang Curry, Dimsums, and Paneer Tikka are highly recommended.

Beverage Selection The restaurant boasts an exceptional bar menu featuring innovative cocktails and mocktails. These beverages are expertly crafted to complement the food offerings and enhance your dining experience.

Entertainment • Enjoy live musical evenings featuring retro Hindi and English songs. • Upcoming events like comedy nights promise to add even more vibrancy to the atmosphere.

Service and Hospitality The staff is known for their professionalism, attentiveness, and warm hospitality, ensuring that every guest feels special and well cared for.

Customer Reviews

Patrons frequently highlight the following: • Excellent food quality and variety. • Elegant and cozy ambiance. • Thoughtful, prompt, and professional service.

Why Visit Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar?

Eighteen71 isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. From the rich history reflected in its name to the extensive menu that takes you on a culinary journey across India and Asia, every detail is designed to delight. Whether you’re a local or a traveler exploring Shimla, this restaurant promises a memorable dining experience that’s perfect for any occasion.

Plan your visit to Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar and treat yourself to an unforgettable...

When on holidays, you crave for good food but you also expect a descent service. And when you are denied that, irrespective of how good the food is... Things don't hold ground..

So here is my story.. And I am sure many would recollect their own similar experiences.

The guy, who attended me during lunch time visit was Vinod, I was with my family and asked for menu. He said we don't have menu, you need to scan the QR, I said covid is long gone, why not have a physical menu for a better experience. He simply denied to have any menu, then came another guy and he said the same.

So with a shaky network, we tried to scan the menu and here we are, due to network issue, we almost waited 20 minutes to open the menu on our mobile and the truth is one of the waiter offered his phone as well.

Once menu was opened, we ordered beer from their own brewery.. Yummy taste. We ordered bora bora mocktail - bar guy was complete moron and he goof-up big time. Incredibly poor taste. In food - paneer haryali tikka and chicken tikka masala both were amazing. Loved them both.

Now begins the best part - when we were about to finish our food, we saw menu, both bar and food menu in a corner of restaurant, stacked properly.. I have attached images as well of that for anyone to see. And funniest part menu was offered to new walk ins. We asked the waiter, why not us then, he has no answer... Just blabbering nonsense.

I am hurt and disappointed with this behaviour of staff and its not that I am going to visit Shimla every other day. So they itched a very bad memory in my brain.

Hope the management spends few penny...