Where to Eat in Rishikesh
Rishikesh eats in two styles: busy vegetarian thali halls on the Swarg Ashram side and slow, view-led cafés around Laxman Jhula and Tapovan. The bridge you can cross decides which you reach easily.
2 places
Laxman Jhula
2 places
Swarg Ashram
1 place
Palika Nagar
Not sure what to order? The Rishikesh food guide starts from the dishes — what each one is, when to eat it, and which of these kitchens is known for it.
Swarg Ashram
Chotiwala, near the old Ram Jhula approach, is the town's best-known restaurant: a pure-veg hall dating back decades, famous for its thalis and for the costumed mascot at the door. Order the thali and a lassi. Ganga Beach Restaurant, listed for the same side, keeps things simple with thalis and hill dishes. With Ram Jhula closed for repairs until early 2027, reach this side by Janki Setu or by ferry boat.
Laxman Jhula and Tapovan
This is café country. Little Buddha Café is a treehouse-style building with river views and a long global menu, a good place to sit for an hour. The Beatles Café, listed here with Devraj Coffee Corner, is known for coffee, bakes and a view of the Trayambakeshwar temple. Bajrang Setu, the new bridge beside the closed Laxman Jhula, links the two banks at this end.
Near Triveni Ghat
The old market lanes behind Triveni Ghat have plain dhabas and sweet shops that cater to pilgrims. This is the place for aloo puri at breakfast and for a quick meal before or after the evening aarti.
What to expect
Everything in town is vegetarian, and there is no alcohol. Many ashram-side kitchens cook without onion or garlic, so ask if you prefer them. Cafés take cards and UPI; small dhabas often want cash or UPI only. Service at popular cafés slows at sunset, when everyone wants a river table.
Timing
Dhabas open early and stay busy through lunch. Cafés on the Tapovan side fill up for late breakfast and again around sunset. Most kitchens close earlier than in a big city, often by around 10 pm, so eat soon after the aarti.
Practical tips
Watch for monkeys on terrace tables near the bridges; they grab food and bags. If you are rafting, eat a light breakfast and keep a proper meal for after. And if a café's view is the main draw, go for breakfast rather than dinner, when you can actually see the river.
Questions
Rishikesh — FAQ
Where should I eat in Rishikesh?
5 places are listed here, across 3 areas. Each entry says what that kitchen is known for rather than reprinting its menu, so pick by the dish you want and the area you'll be in.
Are there good vegetarian restaurants in Rishikesh?
Yes — 4 of the places listed are pure vegetarian, and the food-type badge on every card tells you before you set out.
What should I order in Rishikesh?
Start from the dishes rather than the restaurants — the Rishikesh food guide covers what each dish is and when to eat it, then links to the places that do it well.
What is Chotiwala in Rishikesh?
A long-running pure-veg restaurant in Swarg Ashram, known for its thalis and its mascot with the tuft of hair. It is a Rishikesh institution rather than a fine-dining room.
Which café has the best river view near Laxman Jhula?
Several cafés on the Tapovan side sit above the river. Little Buddha Café and the cafés facing the Trayambakeshwar temple are the best known. Go at breakfast for the clearest view.
How do I get to Swarg Ashram restaurants while Ram Jhula is closed?
Walk across Janki Setu, which links the Muni ki Reti side with the Parmarth Niketan area, or take the ferry boat when it is running.