Discover Coonoor’s Culinary Soul — From Hill-View Cafés to Elegant Fine Dining
Cradled among endless tea gardens and soft, drifting mist, Coonoor feels like a quiet secret the Nilgiris share only with those who pause to listen. Its cobblestone paths, ivy-covered bungalows, and timeworn gardens whisper stories of a gentler age, inviting travellers to slow their pace, breathe in the mountain air, and savour life one meal, one moment at a time.
Beyond its tranquil beauty lies a culinary landscape rich in texture and taste, evolving gracefully from colonial kitchens into a vibrant blend of local and global flavours.
For guests staying at Lohono’s luxury villas in Coonoor, the town offers irresistible dining options at every hour, sunrise tea among tea gardens, slow brunches with mountain air, and candlelit dinners accompanied by the song of cicadas. Here’s your curated guide to the best places to hang out and eat in the Nilgiris, all centred around Coonoor’s most exceptional dining experiences.
Cafés with a View
As morning mist lifts to reveal golden light, Coonoor’s cafés awaken. Each one pairs hillside charm with a soulful sense of place, serving flavours that unfold with the relaxed rhythm of the hills.
- La Belle Vie @ 180 McIver
Housed in a 115-year-old colonial villa, La Belle Vie personifies Coonoor’s quiet sophistication. The veranda, framed by climbing roses, opens to sweeping Nilgiri vistas, making every meal an unhurried affair.
Cuisine: European classics, artisanal pizzas, and delicately sauced pastas. Each plate pairs beautifully with wine and a gentle garden breeze.
Ambience: Elegant French-country décor balanced with mountain serenity.
Only minutes from Lohono’s private hilltop villas, it’s ideal for late lunches before a visit to Sim’s Park or the tea museum.
- Café Diem
Hidden in a peaceful valley, Café Diem feels like a secret garden. Its sunlit tables, whitewashed walls, and flowering vines create the illusion of dining in the clouds.
Cuisine: Italian and Mediterranean dishes such as pumpkin soup, crisp falafel, and lemon tart prepared with locally sourced herbs.
Ambience: Airy, calm, and thoughtfully minimalist. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
Many guests from Lohono’s nearby villas start their day here before exploring the town’s antique shops.
- Earl’s Secret, Ooty
A short, scenic drive away, Earl’s Secret recalls the elegance of an English afternoon — chandeliers, lawns, and tea served with poise.
Cuisine: Continental and Indian favourites, including Beef Mignon Fillet and Chicken Roulade.
Ambience: Glass conservatory seating, vintage touches, and a welcoming fireplace.
Close to Lohono’s Ooty villas, it’s perfect for an evening escape between the two hill stations.
Fine-Dining Experiences
When dusk settles over the hills, Coonoor transforms into a haven for elegant dining. Every restaurant tells a story of creativity, craft, and quiet indulgence.
- The Periodic Table
Set in Littlearth Square, The Periodic Table brings playful modernity to Coonoor’s dining scene. Plated with imagination, each dish draws inspiration from the chemistry of flavours.
Cuisine: European-inspired creations presented with flair — refined, colourful, and balanced.
Ambience: Soft lighting, artful décor, and gentle music complement a mood of relaxed celebration.
Located near Lohono’s centrally positioned villas, it’s a refined choice for dinner under the Nilgiri night.
- Colonel’s Kitchen — Premium Vintage Dining Experience
Colonel’s Kitchen evokes the charm of Coonoor’s colonial past, its walls still echoing tales of regimental dinners and elegant soirées.
Cuisine: An inspired balance of Indian and Western dishes — smoky Pallipalayam Chicken and creamy Dum Aloo stand out.
Ambience: Classic, warm, and softly lit. Ideal for family meals or intimate evenings after sightseeing at Coonoor’s heritage landmarks.
- Celeste by MindEscapes
Tucked within the Wellington hills, Celeste pairs culinary artistry with panoramic beauty.
Cuisine: Multi-cuisine dining with a focus on Chinese and Indian influences, each dish plated with care and precision.
Ambience: Tranquil and contemplative, elegant yet unpretentious.
A few minutes from Lohono’s Wellington villas, it’s perfect for sunset dinners framed by tea fields.
At our Coonoor villas, private chefs prepare gourmet meals that highlight the region’s flavours, with curated menus available to personalise every dining moment.
Casual and Family-Friendly Spots
Coonoor’s family-run cafés radiate comfort and a sense of belonging. These spaces make dining communal — laughter becomes seasoning, and the pleasure lies as much in company as in cuisine.
- Cherrie Berry
Located in Highfield Estate, Cherrie Berry blends multiple experiences under one roof — a restaurant, café, and children’s play area.
Cuisine: A versatile vegetarian menu spanning North and South Indian, Chinese, and Continental favourites.
Ambience: Cheerful and scenic, overlooking rolling tea gardens.
Just minutes from Lohono’s villas amid tea estates, it’s a perfect stop for lunch with family.
- Le Café
Le Café at Littlearth Square captures the carefree spirit of Coonoor.
Cuisine: Wood-fired pizzas, cheesecakes, sandwiches, and coffee — each bite quietly satisfying.
Ambience: Rustic tables, open-air setting, and space to linger.
A favourite with guests from Lohono’s hill-view villas, it’s ideal for casual brunches or evening snacks.
- Angaara Restaurant, Ooty
Angaara combines Indian warmth with refined presentation.
Cuisine: Hyderabadi biryani, grilled kebabs, and an array of vegetarian dishes celebrating Nilgiri tradition.
Ambience: Inviting and adaptable for groups or large families.
The scenic drive from Coonoor makes for a satisfying day trip before returning to your villa for a quiet night.
Hidden Gems and Unique Spots
Coonoor’s culinary scene hides a few intimate treasures. In these tucked-away spots, food feels personal — honest, humble, and steeped in local love.
- My Momo House
Near the old Barracks, My Momo House charms with its simplicity and soul.
Cuisine: Tibetan and Nepalese staples — steamed momos, chilli garlic noodles, and Schezwan rice.
Pricing: Accessible and fair.
Guests from Lohono’s nearby villas often drop by after hikes to warm up over a plate of momos and spiced tea.
- The Birdhouse Café
On Church Hill Road in Bedford, The Birdhouse Café embodies Coonoor’s charm — small, joyful, and unpretentious.
Cuisine: Burgers, sandwiches, cakes, and fresh Nilgiri coffee.
Ambience: Cosy and welcoming, with easy chatter and music.
It makes a pleasant pause before returning to Lohono’s boutique hillside villas.
- Blooming Garden Café
Located in Tiverton Bungalow, Ooty’s only pet-friendly garden café celebrates slow mornings and open skies.
Cuisine: A fusion of Asian and European fare, with excellent coffee and homemade desserts.
Ambience: Flowering lawns, peaceful seating, and the company of guests and pets alike.
Its proximity to Lohono’s Coonoor villas makes it ideal for breakfast or afternoon tea.
FAQs
Q1. What food is Coonoor famous for?
Coonoor is renowned for its Nilgiri tea, handmade chocolates, local cheeses, and a distinctive blend of South Indian and European-inspired cuisine.
Q2. What are the most popular restaurants in Coonoor?
La Belle Vie @ 180 McIver, The Periodic Table, and Colonel’s Kitchen are leading fine-dining choices in the Nilgiris.
Q3. Which cafés near Lohono’s villas offer outdoor seating?
Café Diem and Le Café both offer lovely alfresco settings near Lohono’s Coonoor villas.
Q4. Are there vegetarian restaurants in Coonoor?
Yes. Cherrie Berry and Café Diem both serve inventive, vegetarian-friendly menus that blend Indian and Mediterranean flavours.
Q5. When is the best time to enjoy Coonoor’s food scene?
Between October and May, when clear days and cool evenings make outdoor dining and café excursions more enjoyable.
A Taste of the Nilgiris — Where Flavour Meets Serenity
Dining in Coonoor is as much about atmosphere as taste — where cold mountain air mingles with the scent of tea and woodsmoke. The town’s restaurants often celebrate local produce: creamy cottage cheese, Nilgiri-grown tea, freshly cut herbs, and honey gathered from nearby plantations. Here, flavour follows nature’s rhythm — slow, steady, and soulful.
Where Home-Cooked Luxury Awaits
And yet, some of the finest flavours in Coonoor are found not in its restaurants, but in the kitchens of Lohono’s villas, where talented in-house chefs craft bespoke meals using seasonal ingredients. After a day exploring Coonoor’s gardens and markets, many guests find themselves eager to return to the warmth of their private dining rooms — greeted by the aroma of simmering sauces and freshly baked bread. Guests at Lohono’s villas in Coonoor can savour every moment at leisure: breakfasts on sunlit verandas, relaxed lunches among tea bushes, and dinners under star-filled skies. Coonoor’s cuisine, simple yet expressive, mirrors the Nilgiris themselves — tranquil, graceful, and unforgettable.
