Food of Solan

The fame of Himachali foods has not only reached to various parts of India but tourists from different corners of the globe make it a point to taste mouth-watering dishes of Himachal Pradesh during their visit and Solan is no exception. People of Solan welcome their guests with delicious meals, snacks and sweets. Solan has endless varieties of regular and traditional dishes to tempt the taste buds of foodies from all corners of the world. Read this article to know more about different types of foods that you get in Solan.&

Local Food of Solan

Being inhabited by great numbers of people from Tibet and Punjab, many food items prepared in Solan are influenced by the food types of these two places. The food items are generally made with ingredients that are easily available in Solan and around. The food pattern of Solan is influenced by its geography and climate as well. Some of the traditional food items of yesteryears have now become staple food items of Solan and the rest of the traditional dishes get prepared on special occasions like wedding, family functions or festivals. Pulses (dal) and Rice (chawal) are the staple food of the people of this city.



Many prefer to eat chapatti and sabzi (vegetable) on regular basis. Vegetables are prepared with spices to add aroma to them and also to increase their taste. Spices commonly used in cooking are red chillies, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. Most of the dishes are vegetarian but some non-veg delicacies are also very popular. Meat prepared with lots of spices is a common non-veg dish served in Solan. Roasting, boiling, smoking, frying, and fermentation are the various cooking methods used to make the food items of Solan. Curd is also included in daily meal of people in Solan. Lassi, a tasty drink made from curd is also very popular in Solan like many parts of north and northwest India.

Traditional Dishes of Solan

Traditional foods of Solan are classified into different types depending on the ingredients used for preparing them. The majority of these food items are made with cereals and legumes. Pickles made with vegetables and fruits are also included in the traditional dishes of Solan.& Pickles are mainly made with plum, pear, bottle gourd, peach, brinjal etc. Beverages made with cereal and fruits and sweets made with milk and flour of different cereals along with jaggery still showcase the tradition and culture of Solan.

Following are some traditional dishes of Solan:

Poode

This traditional dish is prepared with wheat flour and jaggery. A batter of wheat flour and jaggery is made and it is fried in oil or ghee. This is a popular sweet dish prepared in Solan during festivals or special occasions.

Lushke

This traditional dish looks like a pancake. A batter of wheat flour and rice flour is made and pinch of baking soda is put in it. This batter is then put on frying pan or tawa and is cooked with a cover on it.

Sidu

One of the most famous delicacies of Solan, Sidu is a special dish made with wheat flour. After kneading, the wheat flour is kept aside for 4 to 5 hours so that enough fermentation happens. Small dumpling of the kneaded dough is taken and it is flattened so that stuffing can be done.


Mostly stuffing of pulses and spices are put into these dumplings. Then this dumpling is put in slow fire till it becomes brown. It is then steamed. After cooking is complete, Sidu is served with ghee or butter. Sidu is also served with pulses or mutton.

Patande

It is also made with wheat flour and resembles a pancake.

Ankolas

This is also a cake like food item that is specially prepared for festivals. The main ingredient for preparing Ankolas is the gram flour.

Patradu

Patradu, a snack food made with leaves that are steamed with gram flour and then fried, is also a famous traditional food item of Solan. This is also served with chapattis. Malpude and gulgule are two famous sweet dishes of Solan which are must to be prepared during festivals or special occasions.

Traditional Community Meal of Solan

Dham is the traditional community meal of Solan. It is prepared by a particular group of Brahmins. Dham is prepared during special social events and festivals. Preparation of Dham starts one day before the actual day it has to be served. Dham is served on leaf plates as it is the traditional way of serving foods. The main dishes of Dham are rice, green lentil (moong dal) and rajma. Along with them, dark lentil, and mashed dal are served. Dham is served with khatta, a sauce having sweet and sour taste and mitta, sweet rice served with dry fruits.&

Restaurants and Cafes in Solan

Solan not only offers traditional delicacies of the State or the region but it also has wide range of restaurants and eateries where cuisines from other part of India and the world are served. Chowmein, Momo, Pizza, Burger, Sandwiches etc. are also served at these restaurants of Solan. Find here some famous restaurants and cafes of Solan.

Himalayan Coffee

Known for its mouth-licking snacks from north and south India both, visitors get to taste freshly brewed coffee and tasty tea at this coffee shop. Prices are reasonable so it is always flocked with locals and the tourists.

Location: The Mall Road, Solan

Haveli

An ideal place to enjoy a delicious breakfast item like aloo paratha, Haveli is also famous for its other vegetable dishes too. Daal Makhni is a must-try dish of Haveli. Good ambiance and friendly service are added features that keep attracting the visitors at this cozy restaurant.

Location: Near Dharampur, On National Highway 22

Kiran Hotel and Restaurant

This dhaba cum restaurant is a must-to halt place for the travelers on the high way. Clean surroundings and wonderful ambiance make the foods tastier.

Location: Chamakdi Pul, Dhundhan

Spicy Food Court

Located on the highway that connect Shimla and Chandigarh, this food joint is famous for Punjabi dishes. Tandoori Rotis along with Dal Makhni or Tandoori Chicken will refresh you from all your fatigue.



Friendly staffs will make you feel you are home away from home.

Chanakya

Located beside Anand Complex, Chanakya has an array of dishes like Chinese, Pizzas, burgers, mixed chats etc. With wonderful décor with bamboo wood and roofs made with straw, this restaurant welcomes guests to enjoy the clean and hygienic surrounding and sumptuous foods along with soothing music. Many youngsters like to come here for fresh ice-creams and fruit juices.

Location: Mall Road, Solan

Chinese Restaurants in Solan

There are a number of well known Chinese restaurants in Solan those sell mouth watering Chinese food.



LA Chef
Address:
City Square Commercial Complex,
SAI Road, Baddi,
Near Bhardwaj Hospital,
Opposite Petrol Pump
Solan – 173205
Phone no.: 9218 002 222 / 9218 418 400 / 9816 102 948

Sushwad
Address:
C/O Ramshehar Fort Resort,
Ramshahar,
Tehsil Nalagarh
Solan – 174102
Phone no.: 9805 009 001 / 9501 114 405 / 9501 114 022 / 9501 110 156
Website: www.fortramshehar.com

Taj Restaurant
Address:
C/O Hotel I Square,
Chandigarh Pinjore-Manali Highway,
Sai Chakkan Road, Baddi,
Near National Highway- 21A
Solan - 173205
Phone no.: 01795 310 666 / 310 888 / 9318 010 666 / 9318 022 111
Website: www.hotelisquare.com

Continental Restaurants in Solan

Want to enjoy continental delicacies during your stay in Solan, then following are some well known continental restaurants you can check out.



Falcon Crest Restaurant
Address:
C/O Hotel Falcon Crest,
Chandigarh Shimla Highway,
Kandaghat,
Solan - 173215
Phone no.: 01792 256 241 / 257241 / 257 242 / 9418 056 242

Apex Restaurant
Address:
C/O Hotel APEX,
Manali Road,
Baddi,
Nalagarh, Bhud
Solan – 173205
Phone no.: 01795 650 685 / 9218 566 608 / 9218 566 609 / 9218 566 612 / 9816 166 609

King Dinning
Address:
C/O The Palace Chali Hotel,
Village Chail,
Kandhghat
Solan - 173217
Phone no.: 01792 248 141 / 248 143
Fax: 01792 248 140

Asheesh Restaurant
Address:
Jabali,
Nh- 22 ,
Kalka Shimla Highway
Solan - 173209
Phone no.: 01792 277 212

Pinewood Restaurants
Address:
C/O Pinewood Hotel, Solan HO,
Near Old National Highway,
Barog
Solan - 173212
Phone no.: 1792 238 825 / 238 826 / 238 827

The Ascent Restaurant
Address:
C/O Hotel The Ascent,
Baroti Wala Road,
Baddi, ,
Near Dic Office
Solan - 173205
Phone no.: 1795 245666 / 245667 / 9816 450 283 / 9817 298 684

Victoria Continental Inn Pvt. Ltd.
Address:
Subathu Road,
Dharampur,
Karnal,
Distt. Solan,
Kahala,
Solan - 173207
Phone no.: 7043 330 537

Pure Vegetarian Restaurants in Solan

Solan would not disappoint you if you are a pure vegetarian. You would certainly get some pure vegetarian restaurants in Solan to beat your hunger.



Chef Planet
Address:
Rajghar Road,
Solan HO,
Near DC Office
Solan - 173212
Phone no.: 9816 993 131 / 9218 522 265 / 01792 220 224

Hotel Annpurna
Address:
Bhud,
Baddi,
Solan - 173205
Phone no.: 9318 598 000

Dhabas in Solan:

How about sitting on a charpoy and enjoying local delicacies of Solan? Sounds interesting then check out the following Dhabas in Solan.



Soni Dhaba
Address:
Chail,
Tehsil Kandaghat
Solan - 173217
Phone no.: 1792 248 133

Apna Dhaba
Address:
C/O Hotel Ashish Inn,
Ground Floor,
Kalka Shimla Road, Kandaghat
National Highway- 22,
Dehun Chowki
Solan – 173215
Phone no.: 01792 257 413 / 9816 194 627 / 9318 959 327

Sharma Vaishno Dhaba
Address:
Chail Road,
Chail, Junedghat
Solan - 173217
Phone no.: 1792 248 175 / 8988 176 175

Fast Food Outlets in Solan

If you want to eat a hot dog or burger while tripping in Solan then check the following fast food outlets in Solan.



Kwality Fast Food Restaurant
Address:
Near District Hospital
Solan HO,
Solan - 173212,
Phone no.: 9817 169 414

Anupama Fast Food & Restaurant
Address:
The Mall
Near St. Lukes School,
Solan HO,
Solan - 173212,
Phone no.: 1792-221 793 / 9816 021 793

Pizza Outlets in Solan

The Pizza outlets in Solan namely the Dominos and Vitto are very popular for selling delicious pizzas in Solan.



Dominos Pizza
Address:
Shop No- GF 62,
SAI Chakkan Road,
Baddi,
Home Land City Mall
Solan – 173205
Phone no.: 1795 244 420
Website: www.dominos.co.in

Vitto -The Italia - Near BOI Atm
Address:
Oachghat,
Yashwant Pramer University,
Solan - 173223
Phone no.: 9818 898 525 / 9805 260 290 / 9805 149 929 / 8262 046 256
Website: www.vittotheitalia.com

Vitto- The Ittalia Pizza - Near Gyani Dhabha
Address:
Adjoining CCD,
Near Sukhi Johri,
NH-22,
Solan - 173209, Phone no.: 9805 241 392 / 9805 243 849
Website: www.vittotheitalia.com

Sweets of Solan

Leaving Solan without satisfying your sweet tooth is never appreciated and that is why Rohit Sweet Shop located at Chambaghat is a must-visit place for foodies especially those who have affinity for sweets. Jalebis, Milk-cake and Kalakund are specialties of this shop. If you want to taste some salty dishes along with sweets then fresh hot samosas are there for you. Other must-visit eateries of Solan are Rattanjee on the Mall Road for samosas, Premjee at Old Bus Stand for burfi, Paddu Halwai at Chowk Bazaar for jalebis and Sharma Sweets near DC Office for Gulab Jamun.



Solan has no dearth of bars to cater the drink lovers. Anchor Bar near Café 7 is a famous hangout for locals and also for the tourists. This bar is designed with a nautical theme and has wonderful interiors. Ice-Spice on the Mall Road and Green Bar & Restaurant are other popular bar-cum-restaurant of Solan.

Some of the most popular Sweet Shops in Solan:

Premjees Sweets
Address:
Lower Bazar,
Tank Road,
Solan HO,
Solan - 173212
Phone no.: 1792 227 889 / 227 890 / 9816 022 434 / 9882 080 800
Website: www.premjees.in

Lazeez Sweets
Address:
Main Road,
Opposite Mohan Miki
Solan HO,
Solan – 173212
Phone no.: 9857 099 798 / 9816 098 889

Mohinderjee Sweets
Address:
Murari Market,
Circular Road,
Solan HO,
Solan - 173212
Phone no.: 1792 224 453

Aggarwal Sweet Shop
Address:
Murari Market,
&Main Road,
Solan HO,
Solan - 173212
Phone no.: 9736 142 399

Sood Sweets
Address:
Murari Market,
Circular Road,
Solan HO
Solan - 173212
Phone no.:& 1792 222 450 / 9816 315 500

Thakur Sweets
Address:
Saproon,
The Mall,
Rajgarh Road,
Solan HO,
Solan - 173212
Phone no.: 9817 134 979

Laxmi Sweet Shop
Address:
Pwd Rest House,
Solan Ho,
Solan - 173212
Phone no.: 9817 051 500

Shoolini Misthan
Address:
Tank Road
Solan HO,
Solan - 173212
Phone no.: 9816 066 675

Diwan Sweets
Address:
The Mall,
Solan HO,
Solan - 173212
Phone no.: 9882 090 380 / 9882 150 245

Solan makes permanent place in the heart of its guests with its unparallel natural beauty, wonderful tourist spots and unmatched sumptuous Himachali delicacies.