We spent a long time in Kohima trying local food, cafes and restaurants. Here are the best restaurants and cafes in Kohima with great food and views:
Restaurants & Cafés in Kohima
1. The Bamboo Shoot
The Bamboo Shoot was our go-to place for authentic Naga cuisine. We visited four times during our stay in Kohima, and it never disappointed.
They serve pork and chicken thalis with traditional preparations such as dried bamboo shoot and axone. The thalis come with rice, dal, chicken or pork curry and an assortment of traditional dishes, including dried prawn. Their seasonal chicken thali with perilla seeds is particularly delicious when available.
The restaurant has an old traditional feel, and the staff were always very friendly.
2. Shizo, Cafe | Restaurant
Shizo is a cozy café and restaurant in Kohima.
We visited three times because we were staying nearby. On days when we didn’t want to walk too far or decide where to eat, Shizo and Amaris were our default choices.
The menu has a mix of delicious modern dishes. We tried the Thai-inspired basil chicken, signature chicken, basil chicken with rice and stir-fried oyster with mushrooms and fresh carrot. The Shizo Naricol / Coconut ice cream was also worth trying.
3. Food Balance
Food Balance has a stylish interior and great views of Kohima.
What surprised us most was the huge variety on the menu. It ranges from Mexican tacos and Naga thalis to Korean kimbap, Indian curries, pizzas and lasagne.
We particularly enjoyed the Mexican tacos, especially the tangy and flavourful sauce. The Korean fried chicken wings and Chicken Lasagne were also good. Their passion fruit iced tea was another highlight. Outdoor seating is available if you want to enjoy the views while eating.
4. Ooopar
Ooopar is a good option when you’re craving Italian food in Kohima. The spaghetti carbonara was particularly good and reminded us of the pastas we had in Italy. The classic Margherita pizza was also delicious.
5. Essence
Essence is an upscale restaurant serving Indian food.
However, the BBQ thin-crust chicken pizza was the standout for us. We also tried the Pantoss chicken wings and Summer King mocktail.
6. Amaris Restaurant Razhu Point
Amaris was another place we visited multiple times during our stay. Along with Shizo, it became one of our default choices as we were staying nearby.
We tried their kimbap, honey ginger lemon tea, prawn bacon fried rice and grilled chicken with toast and potato.
7. The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden has unique Korean-style seating, with floor seating arranged inside small Korean-style cabins. The restaurant also has great views from the windows.
We tried the seafood pancake, Korean chicken noodle soup, bibimbap and floral tea. The seafood pancake was particularly tasty.
8. Manipuri Thali
Located on the top floor of Central Plaza, Manipuri Thali is a family-run restaurant serving traditional Manipuri meals. The menu includes pork, mutton, fish and chicken thalis.
9. The Morung Kitchen
The Morung Kitchen has a simple menu focused on traditional Naga food.
We tried smoked pork with axone, smoked pork with anishi, fresh pork and chicken with bamboo shoot. The thalis are a good way to sample several traditional preparations in one meal.
The restaurant is on an upper floor. You need to go through a narrow passage and climb ladder-like steps to reach it.
10. Enchante
Enchante isn’t listed on Google Maps, but it is a short walk from the Botanical Garden, New Ministers Hill and Aradura Hills.
We stopped here for breakfast after visiting the Botanical Garden, making it a convenient place to eat when exploring this part of Kohima.
11. Café Aurora
Café Aurora is a pleasant café with a good selection of food and drinks. We tried the chicken glass noodles, cinnamon tea, chicken drumsticks and vegetable sandwich during our visit.
12. Naga Bean Cafe
We visited Naga Bean Cafe for lunch after exploring the Nagaland State Museum.
The café has a cozy, well-decorated interior and a comfortable atmosphere. We had the Korean fried wings, Korean spicy chicken and chicken fried rice.
13. Lilac Place
Everything at Lilac Place is lilac, including the spoons and cutlery.
We tried the LP Salar, chamomile tea and LP chicken rice bowl. We also ordered their regular singju. The singju was very spicy, and the portion was huge. It is better suited for sharing or taking some home.
14. Crescent International Hotel & Restaurant
Crescent International is actually a lodge combined with a restaurant.
It serves Indian food, making it a useful option if you’re craving familiar food while travelling in Kohima. We had honey lemon tea, fried fish, tandoori roti and chicken korma. The korma was sweet and tasty.
15. The Classic Palaate Bistro
Located in Mao Market, The Classic Palaate Bistro serves traditional Naga cuisine. We tried their smoked pork with axone thali, which came with the usual accompaniments, along with an orange milkshake.
16. Barista
Barista is the familiar café option, serving coffee, cakes, sandwiches and other café staples. It’s a straightforward place to stop for a coffee or dessert while exploring Kohima.
17. Sorshia & Co Cafe
Sorshia & Co is a café with an interesting book collection. We spotted books such as 1001 Walks You Must Experience Before You Die and National Geographic’s 100 Years of Adventure and Discovery.
We stopped here on the way to Kohima Cathedral Church and had a chocolate frappe and hot garlic chicken.
18. Tashi Delek
Tashi Delek is a simple, no-frills family-owned restaurant.
The interior has Tibetan flags and memorabilia, while the menu includes pork, egg and chicken chow, momos, and pork, chicken and egg rice.
19. Kairo
Kairo is worth visiting for its views, which also make for great photos of Kohima. We had pork Pad Thai noodles, Kairo special rice and pork bhujia during our visit.
Ice Cream Places In Kohima
If you have a sweet tooth, these are some places in Kohima where you can stop for ice cream or dessert.
1. Towé Ice Cream
Towé is a local Nagaland ice cream brand with two branches in Kohima.
One is inside the food court on the top floor of Central Plaza, while the other is at Kohima Peace Memorial Park.
We tried their coco dream popsicles, chocolate stick waffle and coconut ice cream. Their logo, featuring a Naga warrior eating an ice cream, is particularly eye-catching and fun.
2. Giani Ice Cream
Giani is another option when you’re craving ice cream.
They have around 20 options for cup and cone ice cream, along with kulfis. The branch we visited is close to The Secret Garden, making it an easy dessert stop after a meal there.
First we eat, then we do business.
