Chai Etc. — Restaurant in Uttarakhand

While driving through the winding roads of Uttarakhand on our way to Ranikhet, I stumbled upon the cutest little momo and chai shop tucked away on the hillside, just off the highway — and I’m so glad I did.

This tiny roadside eatery might look unassuming at first glance, but don’t let that fool you — they serve the best chicken/ mutton & veg momos I’ve ever had. Freshly steamed, perfectly soft on the outside, and bursting with flavorful filling on the inside — every bite felt like a warm hug, especially in the crisp mountain air.

But the real star? The chutney. Fiery, tangy, and made with local ingredients — it has the kind of kick that lingers just long enough to make you crave another momo. It’s clearly a house recipe passed down with love, and it takes the whole experience to another level.

And of course, no hill-stop is complete without chai. Their masala chai is brewed just right — strong, fragrant, and served piping hot in small steel cups that somehow make it taste even better.

What made it even more special was the setting. A few wooden benches, mist rolling in, and the comforting aroma of food and tea — it's the kind of place you want to sit for a while, breathe in the mountains, and let time slow down.

Highly recommend this for anyone passing through — whether you're a traveler, biker, or just someone in need of a comforting break. Skip the big restaurants and stop here instead. Your tastebuds (and soul)...

Charming Spot with Great Chai & Seriously Good Food

Chai, Etc. in Bhimtal is a hidden gem with a beautiful open-air setting and a laid-back, cozy coffee shop vibe. It’s located right next to I Heart Cafe and directly opposite Belpatra Cafe, making it easy to find.

The highlight here is undoubtedly the masala chai, served piping hot in kulhars. It’s bold, spicy, and full of flavor—easily one of the best I’ve had. The place feels family-run, which adds a lot of warmth to the experience.

The menu is limited, but everything we tried was spot on. • The chicken momos were delicious—well-stuffed, very filling, and came with a fiery, flavorful chutney. • The shami kebab pav was outstanding—the mutton kebabs were perfectly cooked, and the pav was crispy, buttery, and full of texture.

It’s the kind of place where you can sit for hours over multiple cups of tea, nibbling on great food and just soaking in the calm Bhimtal vibe.

Next time, I’m definitely going back to try their thupka, Maggi, and milkshakes—can’t wait. Highly recommend this spot if you’re in Bhimtal and want something relaxed, local,...

This place was recommended by my brother for Momo's (esp mutton) and we went together to try it but my very first experience was awful.

Momo's only tasted of fat and onions. my brother was surprised too as his experience was better, we blamed the rush that day and thought of trying the place once before making any judgements. Visited the place on a weekday and tried the Momo's again, this time the flavor of fat was much intense, it was like eating fat nothing else.. I gave the feedback to the owner but they said that's what people like, no offense to people who like those Momos but they were really bad, my brother was also shocked as his earlier experience was better so definitely there was a change of recipe or cook as per him.

Summary: location is what makes that place good but taste esp of Momo's was bad. I did not try other things and will not try as first and second impression was awful. There are much cheaper restaurant which offer tasty food so please spend your money wisely, just if a location is photogenic does not mean it offers...