Best Cafes in Guwahati and Shillong

Cafes in Guwahati: Uzan Bazar and the riverfront

Uzan Bazar is the most pleasant cafe area in Guwahati, with older houses and the river close by.

Lush: The Cafe

A calm cafe in greens and pastels that runs farmers' markets, weekend brunches and seasonal events. Dishes mentioned include crispy tofu bao and green Thai curry.

• Area: Uzan Bazar

Guwahati Heights

A warmly lit, classy cafe with continental food such as fish and chips, farmhouse pizza and sizzling brownie. Its newer outdoor sister cafe, Miami by Guwahati Heights, is reported at Rs 1,000 for two (EazyDiner guide, Jul 2026) and is known for sunset views.

• Area: Lamb Road, Uzan Bazar

Cafes in Guwahati: GS Road, Christian Basti and the city centre

Mocha Cafe and Bar

A long-running Guwahati name in a colonial-bungalow style setting, with live evening music and a broad menu including its fried chicken.

• Area: GS Road

Tea Villa Cafe

A photogenic cafe with soft lighting and a multi-cuisine menu of pizza and snacks; popular with younger crowds.

• Area: Christian Basti
• Reported cost: Rs 800 for two (EazyDiner guide, Jul 2026)

Nioki: Grill and Bistro

Quiet, minimal interiors and Italian and American food, especially gnocchi and pasta.

• Area: Mother Teresa Road
• Reported cost: Rs 800 for two (EazyDiner guide, Jul 2026)

11th Avenue Cafe Bistro

Pastel tiles and pendant lights, with sandwiches, salads, Asian dishes and coffee; a good place to read.

• Area: Dighalipukhuri
• Reported cost: Rs 900 for two (EazyDiner guide, Jul 2026)

Daphne

A fairy-tale themed, upscale cafe for desserts such as blueberry cheesecake and its signature chocolate cake; suits dates and family outings.

• Area: Machkhowa, Bharalumukh
• Reported cost: Rs 1,500 for two (EazyDiner guide, Jul 2026)

Best cafes in Shillong

Most cafes in Shillong are in Laitumkhrah, a short ride from Police Bazar. Music is part of the culture here, so many cafes host live sets.

Cafe Shillong

A balcony cafe above the street, known for its interiors and relaxed mood.

• Area: near Don Bosco, Laitumkhrah
• Reported cost: Rs 1,000 for two (Curly Tales, Feb 2024)

Dylan's Cafe

A Bob Dylan themed cafe with American diner food, burgers and musical evenings.

• Area: Tripura Castle Road, Dhankheti, Malki
• Reported cost: Rs 1,000 for two (Curly Tales, Feb 2024)

Grub's Cafe

Cheesecake and sweet treats, open-roof seating and a shelf of books.

• Area: Laitumkhrah Main Road
• Reported cost: Rs 800 for two (Curly Tales, Feb 2024)

Bread Cafe

Large glass windows, clean interiors and an easy menu; one of the cheaper sit-down picks.

• Area: Main Road, opposite the Post Office, Laitumkhrah
• Reported cost: Rs 400 for two (Curly Tales, Feb 2024)

Munchies

A shack-style student favourite with burgers and a menu mixing local ingredients with global dishes.

• Area: Rani Villa, Laitumkhrah Main Road, near Don Bosco Square
• Reported cost: Rs 300 for two (Curly Tales, Feb 2024)

Rynsan

A cafe built around seasonal produce from organic farms and urban gardens, with art and music.

• Area: Boyce Road, Laitumkhrah (Outlook Traveller, Oct 2024)

ML 05 Cafe

A garage-style biker cafe with a Harley Davidson on display, pizza and pork dishes. Worth it if you are driving out of town.

• Area: Mawsynram-Shillong Road (AH 1), on the edge of the city
• Reported cost: Rs 1,000 for two (Curly Tales, Feb 2024)

What cafe menus in Guwahati and Shillong typically feature

Northeast cafe menus mix continental cafe staples (pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches) with Asian dishes such as momos, bao and Thai curries, and Shillong menus often add pork dishes and Khasi plates like jadoh. Desserts lean on cheesecake and chocolate cake, and Assam tea gets more space than in most Indian cafes.

For a broader list of items see the cafe menu items list, our Chinese menu for the Indo-Chinese side, and the tea and shakes menu.

Getting around, best time and booking

• In Guwahati, use cabs or autos; GS Road traffic is heavy in the evening, so allow extra time.
• Riverside seating in Uzan Bazar is best around sunset.
• In Shillong, Laitumkhrah cafes are walkable from one another; parking near Police Bazar is tight.
• Many Shillong cafes close earlier than big-city cafes, so plan dinner before 9 pm.
• Call ahead for live music nights and weekend tables.

How we picked these cafes

This is an independent list. No cafe paid to be included and none of the links are sponsored. We shortlisted cafes that appear in recent food and travel guides or dining app listings, opened those sources, and only kept places that were not marked closed.

Costs and hours are as reported by the sources named, change often, and should be checked with the cafe or a dining app before you go.