Wine & Dine
Guwahati comes alive with regional delicacies, world cuisines, quaint cafés, and trendy pubs.
Local Taste
A good initiation to the cuisines of the northeast is through an Assamese thali—with rice, dal, khar (alkaline burnt banana peel), vegetables, aloo pitika (mash), and masor tenga (fish curry) or chicken curry. Paradise in Krishna Nagar is known for its traditional thalis; while the popular 5 Khorikaa in Ulubari does a vast menu of Assamese tribal food: chicken in bamboo hollow and pork with banana shoot. Visit the ethnic food hub of Michinga in Uzan Bazaar for palate-tingling Naga tribal dishes, Meghalaya Khasi platters and upper Assam Mughlai preparations. Mising Kitchen on Hengrabari Road, Ganeshguri, is also highly recommended for ethnic regional food, especially ones made with the fiery raja mircha (king chilli).
World Food
Housed in the premium environs of Hotel Nandan, Mexithachi ( hotelnandan.com) offers Thai, Mexican, Italian, and Chinese cuisines. The laidback Shanghai Salsa in Hatigarh Chariali is a great bet, serving Mexican and Chinese, and the hottest wings in the city. Red Hot Chilli Pepper on RG Baruah Road offers a heady combination of authentic Szechuan and Cantonese fare. The Guwahati outposts of Moti Mahal Deluxe ( motimahal.in) and Dhaba 1986 ( dhaba1986. com) are ideal for North Indian cuisine. For Italian staples, the award-winning Piazza on Dr. B Borooah Road, Ulubari, is the place to be.
Café Culture
Guwahati has several quaint cafés. The 11th Avenue Café Bistro ( 11thavenuecafebistro. in) is loved for its breakfast spreads and views of the Dighalipukhuri Lake. Set by the Brahmaputra, Café Riverrun in Uzan Bazaar, offers perhaps the best views in the city, along with great coffee, waffles, and a laidback vibe. An Indo-Continental café, Strawberry Fields Café ( strawberryfieldscafe. business.site) boasts charming interiors and a cute library. The Mediterranean food at the Bean Journal Boutique Café ( thebeanjournal.business.site) is an absolute must-try.
Drinking Holes
Microbreweries are the trend here right now. 6 Freemason’s Brewworks (City Centre Mall, GS Rd) boasts a magnificent two-storey interior of wood and bricks, a spectacular bar display and an impressive menu of house brews. The cosy Nuts & Brew ( nutsandbrew.business. site), frequented for its lively parties and great bar food. The stylish, European-themed Exoro ( exoro-pub.business.site) was voted the best lounge in Guwahati last year, and their cocktails will vouch for that. Café Hendrix (GS Rd, Dispur) is one of the most happening places for live gigs, while The Root Barrel in Exotica Greens is ideal for cozy date nights, with its dreamy rooftop cabanas.