Splendid Cafe Chandi Mati, Mukteshwar – No. 1 Kumaoni Food

This winter we chose to visit the mountains our destination being Mukteshwar in the Kumaoni hills.

We were putting up at The Colonel’s Cottage for which I have sketched a separate post.

Coming to the point Mukteshwar being a small hill town does not have many exquisite fooding options for lavish food lovers.

Ours is a different story as we are always in the lookout for simple homely local cuisine. We were looking for options to have local Kumaoni food when our wonderful host Colonel Anita suggested us the name Chaandi Mati.

 

The location not being very strategic as it is at a lower elevation compared to the road leading to Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple & Chauli Ki Jali one could easily miss it while passing by.

But once you locate it just beside Kilmora Shop (Kilmora is a brand promoted by Kumaun Grameen Udyog (KGU), an organization established as a Section 25 company by the Central Himalayan Rural Action Group (Chirag) in 1996; it is mandated to plough back all profit into rural development activities.) the ambience starting from the veranda itself just endears you if you love ethnic architecture.

The single storey cafe is plastered in mud giving an elegant Kumaoni look with ethno-modern decor n furnishing.

We ordered Kumouni Platter – Bhatt ki Chudkaani (Black Soybean cooked in an Iron Pot) served with Rice, Madua (Ragi) roti, Aloo Gutka (Potatoes tossed with Himalayan Chives) Palak ka Kappa, Kumouni Raita and Bhang (Marijuana) Chutney followed by Urad dal ki jalebi in Dessert followed by desi style ginger tea.

The food was homely, simple and delectable. Just like what we were looking for.

If you happen to visit Mukteshwar then do make it a point to have one meal at Cafe Chandi Mati. I bet you won’t regret.

Happy Travelling…!!!