Wake & Bake - Best Family Cafe Restaurants in Shimla/Best Food/Best Coffee in Restaurant in Shimla — Restaurant in Himachal Pradesh

Certainly, here is a review of Wake and Bake Cafe in Shimla:

Wake and Bake Cafe, nestled on Shimla's bustling Mall Road, is a beloved institution that perfectly embodies the town's laid-back yet vibrant spirit. It's a go-to spot for both locals and tourists seeking a cozy retreat with excellent food and a view to match. The location is perfect as it's exactly opposite the town-hall, creating perfect setting for a laid back evening from sunset onwards.

The cafe's ambiance is undeniably its strong suit. With large windows overlooking the pedestrian-only Mall Road, it offers fantastic people-watching opportunities and a glimpse of Shimla's charming architecture. The interior is warm and inviting, quirky and artistic, with comfortable seating that encourages lingering. It's an ideal spot for a leisurely breakfast, a relaxed lunch, or simply a coffee break with a book.

Wake and Bake's menu focuses primarily on Continental and Italian fare, with a strong emphasis on freshly baked goods that live up to the "bake" in its name. Their wood-fired pizzas are a consistent highlight, praised for their thin crusts and fresh toppings. Other popular items include their crepes (both savory and sweet), sandwiches, burgers, and a commendable selection of freshly brewed coffees and teas. Special about their desserts, especially the carrot cakes and pastries, which are often irresistible. The quality of ingredients generally feels fresh, contributing to the overall appeal of the food. Also smoothie & cold coffee is 👍🏼 good .

Service is friendly and efficient, though during peak tourist season or busy hours, a short wait for a table is not uncommon. The staff is generally well-versed with the menu and happy to offer recommendations. The cafe can get a bit crowded, but the lively atmosphere usually adds to the charm rather than detracting from it.

Key Highlights:

Exceptional Ambiance: Cozy, artistic, and offers great views of Mall Road. Delicious Baked Goods: Renowned for fresh cakes, pastries, and wood-fired pizzas. Varied Menu: Good selection of Continental, Italian, and cafe staples. Prime Location: Conveniently located on the Mall Road.

Overall, Wake and Bake Cafe is a must-visit when in Shimla. It offers a consistently enjoyable experience, making it a perfect spot to unwind, refuel, and soak in the unique charm of this...

Two stars purely thanks to the staff here - not interested , talking between themselves, had to keep getting up from the table for them to notice us, not much in way of explaining the food and by and by next to no enthusiasm.

The place is either tight or cosy depending on your perspective - about 6 odd tables quite tightly packed. The terrace , there is one , can be dismissed since u need to go up very small stairs and then exit out of essentially a window - once done you find yourself in approx an 8 X 8 foot area largely meant for smokers, no chance of having a sit down meal here.

Coming to the food, we ordered - pizza, toasties, spaghetti white sauce and a ham and cheese sandwich. No complaints on the food, i was in fact impressed with the spaghetti - the bacon and the white sauce were quite good and i was not expecting the bacon to be that fresh but it was. What was disappointing was that instead of a side like garlic bread they served regular toast made from mass market breads and that is just plain cheap.

The toasties were nice as well, hot and just the right size and a perfect accompaniment to a rainy day. Drinks were average both in taste and portion sizes. Whether it is expensive or not would depend on what you ordered, for 290 i would consider the spaghetti to be good VFM , on the other hand a simple ham sandwich at 250 to be a little on the expensive side.

Will visit again for the food, knowing staff behavior it could always be abandoned for some other place. Owners need to pay more interest in how this is being run else i can guarantee that this would join a long list of places which closed...

Once a beacon of excellence in food, hospitality, and scenic views, this café has unfortunately lost its charm and warmth over time. The persistent controversies surrounding it have only added to its struggles, making its revival increasingly difficult.

Despite the criticisms, I remained loyal to this place, drawn by its supportive and courteous staff and the serene ambiance that made it a perfect spot for working remotely. However, today’s experience left me bewildered, disappointed, and deeply hurt.

As someone who has frequented this café for years, I was taken aback when a member of the management—a lady—chose to reprimand me publicly. Her tone was harsh and dismissive, and this occurred while I was in the middle of a meeting. The reason? She objected to my occupying a window seat for the day, even though I had been ordering food consistently (despite its hour-long serving times) and there was no apparent shortage of seating (window or otherwise) for other customers.

It was both embarrassing and disheartening to find myself justifying my actions in a place where I had always felt welcome. The staff, who have always been kind and professional, even went so far as to apologize on her behalf when I eventually left in frustration.

It is truly heartbreaking to see an establishment I once trusted and supported show such disregard for its loyal customers. Sadly, they have lost yet another local patron, and I can only hope they reflect on how to treat the community that has stood by them through...