Search for cafes in Dehradun and most of what comes up is written by a cafe about itself. This list is different. Nobody paid to be on it, and it covers the whole city, not just the stretch of Rajpur Road that every list repeats. We already have a separate guide to the Rajpur Road cafes, so this one spends more time in Dalanwala, Chakrata Road and Garhi Cantt.
Timings and menus in Dehradun cafes change often. Treat the dishes below as what each place is known for, and check opening hours before you set out.
Rajpur and Old Mussoorie Road
Café Marigold is inside the Shehanshahi Ashram grounds on Old Mussoorie Road. It has a brick interior, a big outdoor seating area and all-day breakfast, and it's one of the calmest places in the city to sit with a book.
Café De Piccolo, near Sai Mandir on Old Mussoorie Road, is the one people go to for Italian food and the view.
Chhaya Café is a small place in Birgirwali at the top of Rajpur Road, for pizza and sandwiches after a walk.
The Mudcup Cafe on upper Rajpur Road does pancakes, cappuccino and masala chai, and opens early enough for breakfast.
Rajpur Road, lower end
Rising Dough, opposite Meedo Plaza, is a café and bakery with a long menu and fair prices. Its cheesecake and apple pie are what regulars order.
Kalsang AMA Café on Rajpur Road is one of the older cafés in the city, with Tibetan, Thai and continental food and a lot of baked things. The thukpa is a good winter order.
Eltham Bakery & Coffee House at Pacific Hills opens early, so it works for a breakfast stop on the way up to Mussoorie. The caramel pudding is the usual recommendation.
Dalanwala and Race Course
Café Razzmatazz is in an old bungalow on Pritam Road near Race Course, with garden seating away from the traffic. Go for coffee and lemon tart, or the soups in winter.
Waffles & Crepes on EC Road is a dessert stop for waffles, crepes and pancakes.
Chakrata Road
Eddie's Patisserie in Yamuna Colony is a bakery café with outdoor seating. Hazelnut pastry and mud cake are the reason to go. It has been listed as closed on Tuesdays, so check before you go.
Garhi Cantt
Krazy For Coffee, in Mee Market opposite the RIMC gate, does burgers, pizzas and lattes. If you're visiting Tapkeshwar Temple, it's a short ride away.
How to pick
For a long, quiet sit, choose Café Marigold or Café Razzmatazz. For breakfast, Eltham or The Mudcup. With a group of friends and a budget, Rising Dough or Waffles & Crepes. On weekday afternoons you'll usually get a table without waiting.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best cafe in Dehradun?
It depends on what you want. Café Marigold and Café Razzmatazz are the calmest, Rising Dough is the best value, and Café De Piccolo has the view.
Which cafes in Dehradun are good for breakfast?
Eltham Bakery & Coffee House at Pacific Hills and The Mudcup Cafe on upper Rajpur Road both open early. Café Marigold serves breakfast all day.
Are there good cafes outside Rajpur Road?
Yes. Café Razzmatazz and Waffles & Crepes are in Dalanwala, Eddie's Patisserie is on Chakrata Road, and Krazy For Coffee is in Garhi Cantt.
Find more on Doon Dekho
Every café here has its own page on Doon Dekho with directions. Browse Explore → Food → Cafes, or read our guide to the Rajpur Road cafés.