Cheena Kapoor, author of The Best Neighborhoods for Digital Nomads in Rishikesh, shares her favorite places to dine and get some work down when visiting the yoga capital of the world.

The Best Restaurants in Rishikesh for Digital Nomads

A Tavola Con Te: Started by an Italian couple and now run by an Indian local family, the restaurant in Upper Tapovan, serves the best Italian food at a very reasonable price. They serve freshly made wood-fired pizzas with handmade cheese from Delhi and tomato sauce imported from Italy.

Secret Garden Cafe: The restaurant is a hot spot to meet like-minded long-stay travelers and alongside their organic Indian recipes, they offer some of the best coffee in town.

Little Buddha Cafe: A tightly packed hipster-feel cafe that serves Indian recipes with a foreign twist, its unconventional set-up provides a great ambiance with a beautiful view of the river. 

Freedom Cafe: One of the most romantic cafes in Rishikesh with riverside dining, it is the perfect place for a quiet dinner on the Ganges. Ask for their falafel platter or Aglio Olio pasta and you will not be disappointed.

Tulsi Cafe: Hidden away in a quiet and lush neighborhood in Upper Tapovan, the entire cafe is made of recycled material. Their savory pancakes made with finger-millet flour are extremely healthy and unique.

Moktan: A lively corner bistro, this cafe serves good coffee with soya/coconut milk and the best cakes in the town. Get there early before the croissants run out.

Rajasthani Mishthan Bhandar: Located in main Rishikesh city, three kilometers from the tourist center, this sweet shop prepares fresh milk-based Indian sweets. One can find the best samosas and kachoris here. The shop also serves Rajasthani thali—a meal platter with three kinds of Rajasthani vegetable curries, rice, chapatis, curd, and salad.

Vanaprastha Ashram Canteen: The canteen at this ashram serves a basic thali, meal platter, which includes a vegetable curry, lentils, chapatis, rice, curd, and salad. Being an ashram that serves light and healthy food, you can expect fewer spices.

Jal Jalebi & Beyond: This high-end restaurant located near the AIIMS hospital in the main city has a vast menu offering both vegetarian and vegan options. There is a widespread buffet every evening at a fixed price and it has both outdoor and indoor seating with a river view. 

Varr: A fine-dining restaurant right opposite Jal Jalebi, Varr offers foods from temples across India, with artisanal thalis offering religious foods. The whole place smells of fresh flowers and the walls are painted in saffron colors.

The Best Places for Digital Nomads to Work in Rishikesh

Sweven Cafe: It offers good food, and high-speed WiFi and the owners are friendly and happy to share information about the area.

Pumpernickel: This German bakery serves good quality coffee and freshly baked cakes and croissants with a view and a few Indian lunch options on the menu. 

Tattva: Situated on the main Badrinath Road, right above the Pundir General Store, this is the first restaurant one notices while entering Rishikesh. The restaurant serves high-quality fusion food and any menu option can be made vegan upon request.

Ira's Litchen and Tearoom: Named after the owner’s young daughter, this restaurant offers Indian and Western foods made with fresh ingredients in an open garden. Go on the weekends to see live music.

Beatles Cafe (The 60’s cafe): Serving mostly Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, the rooftop cafe is situated on the banks of the river and thus is a perfect place for a sunset dinner with a shake or infusion.

BunkStay: Nestled on a hilltop just a little hike away from the Laxman Jhula area, the coworking hostel offers bunk beds at $9 USD or 500 rupees a night. The rooftop cafe serves vegan and vegetarian food, and there is a common area to play board games and work from, but the highlight is the sunset view from the terrace.