8 Hidden Cafes in Shillong You Need to Try

Shillong is not a checklist city for me. It is a sit-down city. You walk in the mist, hear a guitar from somewhere upstairs, order coffee you were not expecting to be this good, and suddenly your one-hour cafe stop becomes half a day.

How I plan a cafe day in Shillong

I start in Laitumkhrah after breakfast, keep Police Bazaar for shopping and transport errands, and avoid trying to cover too many places in one day. Shillong traffic is slow, rain appears without warning, and the best cafe moments happen when you stop rushing.

8 cafes I would send a friend to

1. Dylan's Cafe, Laitumkhrah

It is popular for a reason. The Bob Dylan theme could have felt gimmicky, but the room has warmth. I like it for a first Shillong evening because it gives you music, food, and people-watching in one easy stop.

2. Cafe Shillong

This is the classic. Go when you want a proper sit-down meal, a reliable coffee, and that old Shillong mood of wood, music, and conversations that move slowly.

3. ML 05 Cafe

Best if you are driving toward Upper Shillong or want a cafe that feels more open and road-trip friendly. I would not rush here just for a quick coffee; go when you can sit.

4. The Living Roof

This one is for a slower brunch mood. It works well when Shillong is cloudy and you want something that feels like a pause, not a pit stop.

5. Swish Cafe

A comfortable choice near Laitumkhrah if you want familiar cafe food, friendly service, and a place that does not feel intimidating for first-timers.

6. Open Up Cafe

Good for a casual stop between errands. I like places like this because they show you everyday Shillong, not only the postcard version.

7. Little Chef Cafe

Go for snacks and comfort food rather than a specialty coffee experience. Useful when you are with a mixed group and everyone wants something simple.

8. Local tea stalls near Police Bazaar

Not technically cafes, but do not skip them. A hot tea on a cold Shillong evening, with buses honking and rain hitting tin roofs, is often more memorable than the prettiest interiors.

First-timer Shillong food notes

• Try jadoh if you eat pork; it is one of Meghalaya's most important comfort foods.
• Ask about spice levels. Khasi food can be smoky, fermented, and sharp in a way that is different from mainland Indian spice.
• Carry cash for small places, though UPI is widely available in central Shillong.
• Do not plan cafes and Sohra waterfalls on the same relaxed day. Sohra deserves its own early start.

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