From warm soups to playful monkeys, this cafe has it all (almost almost)
Exploring Rishikesh: A Series [Part-1]
Hi, I’m Shashwat — your everyday workaholic who occasionally decides to escape the “Python errors” of life and venture into the world beyond laptops and meeting links xDD
When the grind starts feeling a little too real, I believe in taking a break, not to relax (that would be too mainstream) but to gather new stories and perspectives. Okay, am I sounding too cool? ;)
So, as you can read from the title: Rishikesh and a cafe it is.
Rishikesh, the kind of place where you can have a soul-stirring conversation with the Ganges, and in the next moment, find yourself defending your snacks from furry daredevils swinging from the trees? Hmmm, whaaaaaat? Yes, I am not joking.
This is a series where I’ll take you through my experience of Rishikesh — cafes, temples, and monkeys, one at a time.
This starts with:
A Serene Afternoon at Royal Cafe (near Laxman Jhula)
Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world, is also known for it’s cafes.
And I came across a charming spot called Royal Cafe, tucked beside the sacred river Ganga. This cafe was calm and vibrant, but also full of little surprises.
I could find visitors reading books, sharing stories, or simply sitting back and enjoying the view. Adding to the global flavour of the place, there were several foreigners relaxing and smoking — blending into the laid-back vibe effortlessly.
The Food: A Mixed Bag
Of course, the main reason I visited was to try the food. They literally had 4.5/5 rating on Google.
And the menu offered a variety of options, from Indian classics to continental favourites, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a closer look at what I ordered:
- Happy Belly Thali
The thali was undoubtedly the star of my meal. A wholesome mix of curries, vegetables, and other accompaniments, it provided a delightful burst of flavours. However, the portion of rice was disappointingly small, and worse, it was cold by the time it reached my table. This was a letdown in an otherwise well-balanced platter. - Vegetable Soup
This, without a doubt, was the highlight of the meal. Served steaming hot, the soup was hearty, flavourful, and perfect for the slightly chilly weather. It felt like a warm embrace on a busy day and set the tone for the rest of the meal. - Spaghetti (Aglio Olio )
The pasta, unfortunately, didn’t live up to expectations. While the presentation was decent, the flavours felt a bit flat, leaving me wishing I had opted for something else.
Despite these minor shortcomings, the cafe’s offerings were sufficient to keep my taste buds engaged.
At ₹1,575 for the meal (as per the bill I’ve shared), the pricing felt a bit on the higher side, but the overall experience made it worthwhile.
Monkey Mayhem:
Picture this: my friend, peacefully enjoying his meal at the serene Royal Cafe, soaking in the tranquil Ganges view, when out of nowhere, a monkey entered the scene with the swagger of a Bollywood hero, Salman Khan xD.
Now, my friend, in his infinite wisdom, thought, Hey, let me make peace with this monkey. So, what does he do? He picks up a tomato from his plate and offers it, thinking he’s extending some sort of diplomatic olive branch. Big mistake. Huge.
The monkey gave him the look — you know, the kind that says, “Do I look like a salad eater to you?” And before anyone could process what was happening, bam! The monkey smacked him on the head, as if to say, “How dare you insult me with rabbit food!”
The whole cafe froze for a moment, unsure whether to laugh, panic, or applaud the monkey’s assertiveness. Meanwhile, my friend sat there in stunned silence, holding the tomato like a failed peace treaty, while the monkey strutted away, clearly unimpressed.
In case we are meeting for the first time, come over here, it’ll be worth the roller coaster of articles that are gonna come up in the next few weeks.
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