Best Cafes in Rishikesh

Cafes in Tapovan and Laxman Jhula

Tapovan sits on the hill above Laxman Jhula, and the road between them (Badrinath Road and Laxman Jhula Road) is lined with cafes. This is where most travellers stay and eat.

Little Buddha Cafe

A large rooftop cafe on Laxman Jhula Road with wide Ganga views, momos, thukpa, platters and desserts. Expect steep stairs and a lively crowd.

• Area: Laxman Jhula Road
• Reported cost: about Rs 700 for two (Esquire India, May 2026)
• Reported hours: 8 am to 11 pm (Esquire India, May 2026)
• Listed as vegetarian-friendly with vegan options (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)

The Beatles Cafe

A relaxed Tapovan cafe with river views and an Italian-leaning menu of lasagne, pesto pasta, pizza and coffee, with music in the background.

• Area: Tapovan, near Laxman Jhula
• Reported cost: about Rs 600 for two (Esquire India, May 2026)
• Reported hours: 11:30 am to 9:30 pm (Esquire India, May 2026)

Om Freedom Cafe

A river-facing cafe known for big breakfasts, pancakes, shakshuka and Continental plates. Queues are common in peak season.

• Area: Laxman Jhula
• Reported cost: about Rs 550 for two (Esquire India, May 2026)
• Reported hours: 10 am to 10:30 pm (Esquire India, May 2026)

Cafe Royale

A calmer cafe with smoothie bowls, fruit salads, mezze platters and good cappuccino, with vegan breakfast options. One of the most affordable picks.

• Area: near Gramin Bank, Laxman Jhula
• Reported cost: about Rs 400 for two (Esquire India, May 2026)
• Reported hours: 8:30 am to 11:30 pm (Esquire India, May 2026)

Pure Soul Cafe and Organic Kitchen

An organic, healthy cafe on Badrinath Road in Tapovan with European dishes and vegan and gluten-free options.

• Address: Badrinath Road, Tapovan, near Hotel Dewa Retreat
• Reported hours: 7 am to 10:30 pm (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)
• Listed as vegetarian-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)

Free Spirit Cafe

A Tapovan cafe with Italian, Asian and Israeli dishes, popular with long-stay travellers.

• Address: Laxman Jhula Road, Tapovan
• Reported hours: 9 am to 10:30 pm (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)
• Listed as vegetarian-friendly (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)

The Arches Cafe and Bakery

A bakery cafe at a riverside hotel near Laxman Jhula, with a mixed menu, healthy dishes and vegan options.

• Address: Hotel Ishan, Lakshman Jhula
• Reported hours: 8 am to 10:30 pm (11 pm Friday to Sunday) (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)
• Listed as vegetarian-friendly (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)

Cafes in Swargashram and Ram Jhula

Swargashram, on the east bank around Parmarth Niketan and Ram Jhula, is quieter and more spiritual in feel. Cafes here are smaller and close earlier.

Kaafe

A first-floor cafe near Parmarth Niketan with Indian and healthy food, vegan options and views above the river, according to reviewers.

• Address: First floor, 86-87 Bharat Sadhu Samaj, Swargashram, near Parmarth Niketan
• Reported hours: 8 am to 9 pm (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)
• Listed as vegetarian-friendly (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)

Chotiwala

More restaurant than cafe, but Rishikesh's most famous eatery, near Ram Jhula, with North Indian thalis and snacks. Its owner has described it as pure vegetarian.

• Address: Swarg Ashram
• Reported hours: 7 am to 10 pm (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)

Cafes with a Ganga view elsewhere

The Sitting Elephant

A rooftop restaurant and cafe in a hotel on Haridwar Road, with river and hill views that are best at sunset, and a North Indian menu. The most upscale pick.

• Area: Hotel EllBee Ganga View, Haridwar Road
• Reported cost: about Rs 1,300 for two (Esquire India, May 2026)
• Reported hours: 10 am to 10:30 pm (Esquire India, May 2026)

Ganga View Cafe

A cafe near the Neelkanth taxi stand, as the name says, with views over the river and an Indian and cafe menu.

• Address: near Neelkanth Taxi Stand
• Reported hours: 10 am to 10 pm (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)
• Listed as vegetarian-friendly (Tripadvisor listing, Oct 2026)

Top 10 and famous cafes in Rishikesh

If you only have a day or two, these are the cafes most often named: Little Buddha Cafe, The Beatles Cafe, Om Freedom Cafe, Cafe Royale, The Sitting Elephant, Pure Soul, Free Spirit, Kaafe, Ganga View Cafe and, for a full meal, Chotiwala.

The most famous for views are Little Buddha and The Sitting Elephant. The most famous for breakfast is Om Freedom Cafe.

What Rishikesh cafe menus typically feature

Rishikesh cafe menus are built for travellers and yoga students: all-day breakfast with pancakes, shakshuka and eggs, smoothie bowls, Israeli plates such as hummus and falafel, Italian pasta and wood-fired pizza, Tibetan momos and thukpa, plus ginger lemon honey tea, masala chai and filter or espresso coffee. Vegan, gluten-free and raw dishes are common, and most listings here are marked vegetarian-friendly.

For drink ideas, see our tea and shakes menu and coffee menu. For a broader menu template, the cafe menu items list covers the standard sections.

Getting there, best time and parking

Rishikesh has no metro. Shared autos run along the main roads, but the Tapovan and Laxman Jhula cafes are best reached on foot, as lanes are narrow and parking is scarce. To cross to Swargashram, walk across Ram Jhula or use the ferry when it is running.

October to March is the best season, with clear views and comfortable afternoons. Cafes are busiest around the International Yoga Festival in March and on long weekends. Monsoon (July to September) can bring closures and lower river visibility. Walk-ins are the norm.

How we picked these cafes

We used Esquire India's May 2026 Rishikesh cafe guide and current Tripadvisor listings for addresses and hours, opened every page we cite, and did not use review scores. No cafe paid to be included.