Whenever I am travelling to a new place, it’s always necessary for me to browse through the Insta handles of good eating joints in-and-around the area and then bucket list them. For me, good food is always a priority and so is the vibe of a place! And this time while in Himachal, I landed upon this quaint little café in Palampur.
Situated amidst lush greenery, Cliffy’s is a gem of a place away from the hustle bustle. I know, “hustle-bustle” is not the right word to describe the other parts of Himachal but still, Cliffy’s offers such a relaxed atmosphere that it almost gives a homely feeling. Although it’s a small café there is ample space to sit outdoors, if the weather allows. My husband and I have fallen in love with the rustic charm of this cafe. The décor is minimal yet exudes warmth. There’s a cute book shelf at the corner and some musical instruments to try your hands on. Adding to that is the friendliness of the staff that makes up for a great experience altogether.
Their menu is café-specific which is mostly South Indian but what you get is worth every penny. They do offer pastas, sandwiches, Maggie and stuff but what makes them stand out from the rest is their authentic South Indian cuisine. Be it their Dosas or Uttapams or Chutneys, they are fresh, simple and cooked to perfection.
And, don’t forget to grab a piece of their Marble Cake. I had been looking for a good bakery around Palampur and was taken by surprise to have found a good, fluffy, home-baked cake here. Cold-coffee too had the right consistency unlike the runny kinds that I have had at other restaurants.
Just note that they close by 8pm. A little disadvantage for those whose offices are over after 8 o’clock in the evening (my husband falls in this category). Weekend/Holidays are the only times we get to go to this place but it is often crowded then. Nonetheless, a great place to hang out with your family and friends. Have some quality time while munching on their delicacies. If you are travelling to Palampur and have just a day or two here, I would recommend you to visit this café and have their Masala Dosa, Podi Masala Dosa, Idli-Sambhar, Uttapam and Marble Cake, to say the least. They are my current favourites so much so that I usually get the cake packed for takeaways too. More info on their Insta profile https://www.instagram.com/cliffyscafe/
