Best Outdoor Seating Restaurants in Shillong for Dining Under Open Skies

I first fell in love with Shillong on a damp July afternoon when the clouds dropped so low I could practically touch them from a plastic chair behind a tea stall on Laitumkhrah. That was the moment I understood why people here treat the outdoors as a second living room. The best outdoor seating restaurants in Shillong are not just about the food. They are about the mist rolling in while you eat, the sudden sun breaking through, and the sound of gospel music drifting from a nearby church. After years of eating my way across this town, here is my personal, ground-level guide to dining under open skies in the Scotland of the East.

Laitumkhrah: The Heart of Al Fresco Dining Shillong

Laitumkhrah is where Shillong goes to sit outside and watch the world go by. The main road is lined with cafes and restaurants that spill onto footpaths and terraces, and the energy here shifts dramatically from morning to night. If you are looking for al fresco dining Shillong, this neighborhood is your starting point. The air carries a permanent chill even in summer, which makes sitting outside feel like a year-round invitation rather than a seasonal luxury.

Cafe Shillong

The Vibe? A warm, wood-paneled space with a small front patio where you can watch the Laitumkhrah traffic crawl by while sipping something hot.

The Bill? 300 to 600 INR for two people depending on how adventurous you get with the menu.

The Standout? Their chicken thukpa and the Darjeeling tea. The thukpa arrives in a massive bowl with a broth that tastes like someone's grandmother spent the entire morning on it.

The Catch? The outdoor tables are right on the footpath, so you will be dodging pedestrians and the occasional stray dog who has very strong opinions about your momos.

Local Tip: Go on a weekday morning around 10 AM when the crowd is thin and the mist is still hanging around. The owner sometimes brings out extra chairs on the pavement if you ask nicely, giving you a front-row seat to the morning vegetable vendors setting up their carts.

The Corner Restaurant

The Vibe? A no-frills open-air setup with a view of the Laitumkhrah intersection that feels like sitting in someone's enthusiastic backyard.

The Bill? 250 to 500 INR for two.

The Standout? Their pork momos and the chowmein. The momos are fat, juicy, and arrive with a fiery red chutney that will clear your sinuses faster than the Shillong weather.

The Catch? The tables are basic metal ones and the chairs wobble. Bring your sense of humor along with your appetite.

Local Tip: This place has been around since the early 2000s and was one of the first spots in Laitumkhrah to offer proper outdoor seating. The family that runs it has watched the entire neighborhood transform from a quiet residential area into Shillong's commercial spine. Ask the older gentleman behind the counter about the old days and you might get a story or two with your food.

Police Bazaar: Patio Restaurants Shillong with a View

Police Bazaar is the commercial center of Shillong, and while most people rush through it for shopping, the real magic happens on the rooftops and balconies above the main market. The patio restaurants Shillong has to offer in this area come with sweeping views of the surrounding hills and the constant hum of the market below. It is chaotic, loud, and absolutely worth your time.

City Restaurant

The Vibe? A rooftop seating area that gives you a bird's-eye view of the Police Bazaar madness below, with plastic chairs and a breeze that makes you forget you are above one of the noisiest markets in town.

The Bill? 400 to 800 INR for two.

The Standout? Their mutton curry with rice. The mutton is tender, the gravy is thick and dark, and it pairs perfectly with the cool air that sweeps across the rooftop.

The Catch? Getting a table on the rooftop during peak lunch hours on weekends is nearly impossible unless you arrive before noon. The indoor seating is fine but defeats the purpose of coming here.

Local Tip: The rooftop is accessed through a narrow staircase at the back of the restaurant. Most tourists never find it because there is no sign. Walk past the kitchen, turn left, and climb. The view of the hills behind the market is one of the best in the city, especially around 5 PM when the light turns golden.

Landmark Restaurant

The Vibe? A slightly more polished rooftop setup with proper seating and a railing that lets you lean over and watch the market chaos without worrying about falling into it.

The Bill? 350 to 700 INR for two.

The Standout? Their fish curry and the dal. The fish is fresh, sourced from local suppliers, and the dal has that slow-cooked richness that tells you it has been on the stove since early morning.

The Catch? The rooftop can get uncomfortably windy in the evenings during the monsoon months from June to August. Bring a light jacket even if it feels warm downstairs.

Local Tip: This building used to be a residential property before it was converted into a restaurant in the late 1990s. Some of the older residents in Police Bazaar still refer to it by its original name. The rooftop was originally a terrace garden, and you can still see the old flower pots tucked into the corners if you look carefully.

Umiam Lake: Open Air Cafes Shillong by the Water

About 15 kilometers from the main town, Umiam Lake is where Shillong goes to breathe. The open air cafes Shillong offers near the lake are a completely different experience from the urban patios in town. Here, the seating is often makeshift, the views are enormous, and the sound of water replaces the sound of traffic. This is where you come when you want to feel like you have escaped the city without actually leaving it.

The Lake View Point

The Vibe? A series of small food stalls and temporary seating arrangements along the lake's edge, with plastic chairs set up on the grass and a view of the water that stretches out to the hills.

The Bill? 200 to 500 INR for two.

The Standout? The grilled fish and the local tea. The fish is cooked over charcoal right in front of you, and the tea comes in small glasses that you can hold with both hands to warm your fingers.

The Catch? The facilities are basic. There are no proper restrooms nearby, and the seating is entirely dependent on the weather. If it rains, and it will, you will be eating under a tarp that leaks.

Local Tip: The best time to visit is between 3 PM and 5 PM on a weekday. The weekend crowd from Guwahati descends on the lake like a swarm, and the peaceful vibe evaporates. On a quiet weekday afternoon, you might have an entire section of the lakeshore to yourself, and the reflections of the hills in the water are genuinely stunning.

The Boating Club Area

The Vibe? A slightly more organized setup near the boating club with proper tables and a small covered area, but the real draw is the open-air seating right at the water's edge.

The Bill? 300 to 600 INR for two.

The Standout? Their chicken momos and the local beer. The momos are steamed to perfection, and the beer tastes better here than it does anywhere else because of the cold air and the view.

The Catch? The service is slow. The staff is small and they get overwhelmed quickly, especially on weekends. Order everything at once if you can.

Local Tip: The boating club area was originally built in the 1960s when the Umiam Dam was constructed. The lake itself is man-made, created as part of the Umiam Stage I hydroelectric project. The food stalls that now line the shore are a relatively recent addition, but the tradition of coming here for picnics and outdoor meals goes back decades among Shillong locals.

Shillong Golf Course: Al Fresco Dining Shillong with a Colonial Echo

The Shillong Golf Course is one of the oldest golf courses in India, established by British civil servants in 1898. The area around it has a quiet, almost sleepy quality that feels like stepping back in time. Dining here is less about trendy cafes and more about finding a spot where you can sit outside and feel the history of the place seep into your bones.

The Golf Course Canteen

The Vibe? A simple, open-air canteen near the golf course with basic tables and chairs, where retired army officers and local regulars sit and argue about politics over cups of tea.

The Bill? 150 to 350 INR for two.

The Standout? The tea and the toast. It sounds boring, but the tea here is strong, milky, and served in thick ceramic cups that have probably been in use since the British left. The toast comes with butter and a marmalade that someone makes locally.

The Catch? The canteen closes by 6 PM and does not serve alcohol. If you are looking for a dinner spot, this is not it.

Local Tip: The golf course itself is open to the public for walking, and you do not need to play golf to enjoy it. Walk the perimeter in the early morning, then stop at the canteen for tea. The course is one of the few remaining natural grass courses in Asia, and the old British-era clubhouse still stands at the edge, though it is not open to visitors.

The Polo Ground Area

The Vibe? A cluster of small eateries near the Polo Ground with outdoor seating that overlooks the field, where you can watch local football matches while eating.

The Bill? 200 to 450 INR for two.

The Standout? The jadoh, a Khasi rice dish cooked with pork and turmeric. It is rich, fragrant, and unlike anything you will find in the tourist-oriented restaurants in town.

The Catch? The Polo Ground gets muddy and unusable during the heavy monsoon months, and the eateries around it tend to shut down or reduce their hours during that period.

Local Tip: The Polo Ground is where Shillong's football culture lives. Local matches happen almost every evening, and the energy from the crowd is infectious. Grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables, order a plate of jadoh and a cup of tea, and watch the game. You will feel like a local within ten minutes.

Mawprem: Hidden Open Air Cafes Shillong Locals Love

Mawprem is a residential neighborhood that most tourists never visit, which is exactly why it is worth your time. The open air cafes Shillong has tucked away in this area are small, family-run, and serve food that tastes like someone's home cooking. There are no rooftop views here, just quiet streets and the smell of rain on pine trees.

The Little Cafe

The Vibe? A tiny front porch with four tables, a chalkboard menu, and a cat that will definitely try to sit on your lap.

The Bill? 200 to 400 INR for two.

The Standout? The banana pancakes and the filter coffee. The pancakes are thick, fluffy, and come with a drizzle of local honey that tastes like the flowers from the hills around town.

The Catch? There are only four tables, and the cafe is run by a single person who does everything from cooking to serving to clearing. Patience is not optional here.

Local Tip: The cafe is located on a side street off the main Mawprem road, and there is no signboard. Look for the yellow gate with the cat painted on it. The owner is a former teacher who opened the cafe after retirement, and she will tell you stories about Shillong's education system if you show any interest.

The Garden Restaurant

The Vibe? A small garden with tables set up under a canopy of trees, where the sound of birds replaces the sound of traffic.

The Bill? 250 to 500 INR for two.

The Standout? The pork rice and the bamboo shoot pickle. The pork is cooked in a local style with minimal spices, letting the meat speak for itself, and the bamboo shoot pickle is tangy and addictive.

The Catch? The garden is beautiful but small, and it fills up quickly on weekend afternoons. The mosquitoes come out after 6 PM, so bring repellent if you are staying for dinner.

Local Tip: The garden was originally the owner's personal backyard. She started serving food to friends and neighbors, and word spread until it became a semi-regular restaurant. The menu changes daily based on what is available at the local market, so ask what is fresh rather than ordering from a fixed list.

Nongthymmai: Patio Restaurants Shillong with a Local Soul

Nongthymmai is one of Shillong's oldest neighborhoods, and it has a character that the newer commercial areas lack. The streets are narrow, the buildings are old, and the food is deeply rooted in Khasi traditions. The patio restaurants Shillong offers here are not fancy, but they are authentic in a way that the tourist spots in Police Bazaar cannot match.

The Khasi Kitchen

The Vibe? A small outdoor seating area behind the main restaurant, with wooden tables and a view of the neighborhood's rooftops and the hills beyond.

The Bill? 300 to 600 INR for two.

The Standout? The dohkhlieh, a Khasi salad made with pig liver and onions, and the tungrymbai, a fermented soybean dish that is an acquired taste but absolutely worth acquiring.

The Catch? The outdoor seating is limited to about six tables, and there is no shade, so midday visits in summer can be uncomfortably warm despite Shillong's generally cool climate.

Local Tip: The owner sources all her ingredients from the local Nongthymmai market, which happens every Wednesday and Saturday. If you visit on one of those days, the produce will be at its freshest. The market itself is worth a walk through, and you will see ingredients that never make it into the tourist restaurants.

The Street Corner Momo Stall

The Vibe? A plastic table and two chairs on the footpath, with a steaming cart and a woman who has been making momos in this exact spot for over a decade.

The Bill? 100 to 200 INR for two.

The Standout? The chicken momos with the green chutney. The chutney is made fresh every morning and has a kick that builds slowly and then hits you all at once.

The Catch? There is no seating to speak of. You eat standing up or sitting on a low stool, and the traffic on the road is close enough that you can feel the exhaust from passing vehicles.

Local Tip: This stall does not have a name. Locals just call it "the momo stall near the church." It is located on the main Nongthymmai road, about 200 meters from the Presbyterian Church. The woman who runs it starts setting up around 4 PM and usually sells out by 7 PM. Get there early or go hungry.

When to Go and What to Know

The best time for al fresco dining Shillong is between October and March, when the skies are clear and the temperatures hover between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. The monsoon months from June to September bring heavy rain that can last for hours, making outdoor dining impractical unless the venue has proper cover. April and May are warm by Shillong standards, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s, but the evenings remain pleasant enough for a meal outside.

Always carry a light jacket or a shawl, even in summer. The weather can change in minutes, and a sunny afternoon can turn into a cold, drizzly evening without warning. Most outdoor venues in Shillong do not take reservations, so arriving early is your best bet for getting a good table, especially on weekends when the town fills up with visitors from Guwahati and other parts of Assam.

Parking is a challenge in most parts of Shillong, particularly in Laitumkhrah and Police Bazaar. If you are driving, plan to park a few minutes' walk from your destination. Auto-rickshaws are available but can be hard to find in the outer neighborhoods like Mawprem and Nongthymmai. Walking is often the fastest way to get around, and the hills keep you honest about your fitness level.

Frequently Asked Questions

How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Shillong?

Pure vegetarian options are available at most restaurants, but dedicated vegan menus are rare. Many local dishes use animal fat or dairy, so you need to ask specifically. The cafes in Laitumkhrah and Mawprem tend to have more awareness of plant-based diets and can modify dishes on request. Expect to pay 200 to 400 INR for a vegetarian meal at most mid-range spots.

What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Shillong is famous for?

Jadoh is the dish you cannot leave without trying. It is a Khasi rice dish cooked with pork, turmeric, and local spices, and it is deeply savory and fragrant. For drinks, the local ginger tea served at roadside stalls across town is the real deal. It is strong, sweet, and warms you up faster than any jacket.

Is Shillong expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier daily budget in Shillong runs between 1,500 and 2,500 INR per person. This covers accommodation in a decent guesthouse or hotel at 800 to 1,200 INR, meals at local restaurants at 400 to 600 INR, and local transport at 200 to 400 INR. Entry fees to attractions are minimal, usually under 50 INR per site.

Is the tap water in Shillong safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?

Tap water in Shillong is sourced from natural springs and is generally cleaner than in most Indian cities, but it is not recommended for direct consumption by visitors who are not accustomed to the local mineral content. Stick to filtered or bottled water, which is available at every shop and restaurant for 20 to 30 INR per liter.

Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Shillong?

Shillong is culturally conservative compared to most Indian cities. Dress modestly, especially when visiting churches or traditional Khasi areas. Remove your shoes before entering someone's home, and always ask before taking photographs of people or their property. The Khasi community values politeness and indirect communication, so a soft tone and a smile go a long way.