LEHVENDA CAFE — Restaurant in Ladakh

I absolutely love coffee and one of the main worries I had about travel to and with in Ladakh was good coffee. Of course I did my online research on cafe, restaurants etc etc. The very day we landed in Leh, after spending a brief time at the hotel we headed straight to Lehvenda cafe - I ordered a Latte (safest coffee to try) and I was like this is very good. I can say this because I know coffee well as I brew my own coffee at home and adept with pour overs, moka pots, espresso etc. In my 7 days so far (4 more days to go) I have been to the cafe 4 times already and each time I go I come back smiling. So far I have tried Cortado, Latte, flat white, Cappuccino, pour over, iced latte etc and all have been great. The barista Dhiraj is very good and knows his stuff. The other staff also are very good and professional. The food too exactly how it should be - small menu and not very elaborate like most restaurants who claim to sell coffee as well. Here coffee is the hero! I have also tried coffee at other cafés in Leh but Lehvenda stands out for many reasons - quality of beans (they source from known roasters like Curious life, KC, Blue Tokai and others), their Barista who like I said knows how to serve up a good cuppa, the staff and the fact that it is the ONLY professionally run coffee shop in Leh. My best to the staff and owners...

Lehvenda has long been one of my favorite coffee shops in Leh, and one of the reasons I enjoy returning to the capital of Ladakh. It’s a lovely and cozy cafe, tastefully decorated, with an awesome view overlooking Mall Road, the mosque, and the surrounding monasteries.

I first visited in 2022 and returned again in 2023. Today, I chose Lehvenda for my first breakfast in Leh. I ordered my go-to: poached avocado toast with an extra egg on sourdough. Unfortunately, it was disappointing and definitely not worth the nearly 500 rupees.

The balcony has a great atmosphere, but it’s completely exposed to the sun, and the wooden chairs are quite uncomfortable. It would greatly benefit from a proper sunshade and more ergonomic seating.

Besides, the restroom facilities are well below acceptable standards. It’s surprising that such a well-regarded cafe would overlook something so basic.

Lastly, Lehvenda has built a reputation as one of the best coffee shops in Leh and, unsurprisingly, draws large crowds during the summer season. Given this, it should consider expanding its current space, which feels...

Hands down the best coffee in Ladakh (with lactose free and vegan alternatives) and the best breakfasts in town. Not to forget the all day meals at the Skara branch too! Lehvenda is probably the only cafe/restaurant in Leh that manages to consistently maintain the quality and exacting standards of its food, service and quality year after year at both branches in every season be it the busiest of summers or the harshest of winters. It is one of the very few places in town I frequent as a local and highly recommend to my foodie acquaintances with a discerning palate for amazing breakfasts or all day eats and of course coffe!..and one of the select few cafés that has got its high altitude baking just right. The highly motivated and proactive service staff at both outlets, apart from the good food reflects the commitment to quality of the proprietors who personally oversee the cafés on most days. It’s probably the only cafe/restaurant in town that is often busy during the non-touristy bleak winter months which tells about what and how it has to offer. Congratulations...