Meghalaya is known for its beautiful waterfalls, green mountains, misty roads and crystal-clear rivers. From the lively streets of Shillong to the breathtaking landscapes of Cherrapunji and the turquoise waters of Dawki, the state offers an unforgettable travel experience.
However, if you are a pure vegetarian, finding suitable food while travelling in Meghalaya may require a little planning. Many local restaurants serve a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, and dedicated vegetarian restaurants can be less common outside the main towns.
The good news is that you can explore Meghalaya comfortably without compromising on your food preferences. You just need to know where to eat and which stops to plan into your itinerary.
In this guide, we cover pure vegetarian restaurants in Shillong, Cherrapunji and the Dawki route, along with practical advice for families, Jain travellers and anyone who prefers vegetarian meals.
Shillong is generally the easiest of these three destinations for finding vegetarian food. The city has several restaurants serving North Indian meals, South Indian dishes, thalis, paneer preparations and Indo-Chinese food.
Jiva Veg Restaurant is a convenient option for travellers staying around Police Bazar, one of Shillong's main commercial areas.
The restaurant is known for its vegetarian menu, with North Indian and South Indian dishes suitable for travellers looking for familiar meals after a day of sightseeing.
What to try: Dosa, paneer dishes, North Indian meals and other vegetarian favourites.
Best for: Families, couples and travellers staying in central Shillong.
Bistro Pure Veg is another option in the Police Bazar area. Its vegetarian menu makes it worth considering if you want to stay close to Shillong's shopping streets and hotels.
What to try: North Indian vegetarian dishes and Indo-Chinese favourites, depending on the available menu.
Best for: Travellers looking for a vegetarian meal without travelling far from central Shillong.
Extra Butter Pure Veg Restaurant is worth considering if you are travelling through Upper Shillong or heading towards Cherrapunji.
It offers a dedicated vegetarian dining option with North Indian and Indo-Chinese choices. Jain-style food may also be available on request, but confirm the preparation requirements with the restaurant in advance.
What to try: Paneer dishes, vegetarian starters, breads and Indo-Chinese items.
Best for: Families and travellers looking for a sit-down vegetarian meal on the Shillong side of the route.
Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra, is famous for its waterfalls, limestone caves and dramatic green valleys. It is also a place where planning your meals ahead becomes more useful, particularly if you prefer strictly vegetarian food.
Orange Roots is one of the best-known options for pure vegetarian food in Cherrapunji. It is associated with Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort and was established specifically to serve vegetarian travellers.
The restaurant serves Indian vegetarian meals, including thalis, combo plates, South Indian breakfast dishes and familiar North Indian favourites. Its published information also mentions Jain food options.
What to try: Vegetarian thali, dosa, puri-sabzi and chole bhature, subject to availability.
Best for: Families, groups, pure vegetarians and travellers who want a dependable meal during sightseeing.
Travel tip: Keep Orange Roots in mind when planning your lunch stop around Sohra. Confirm current timings before setting out, especially if you expect to arrive late in the afternoon.
Green Leaf Pure Veg Restaurant is another dedicated vegetarian option in the Cherrapunji area.
It is worth considering for travellers looking for familiar Indian vegetarian food after visiting nearby waterfalls and viewpoints. Depending on the day's menu, options may include paneer preparations, dal, rice and other North Indian staples.
What to try: Ask about the available thali, dal, rice and paneer dishes.
Best for: Vegetarian families and travellers who want an alternative to Orange Roots.
Important: Check the current menu and opening hours before visiting, as availability can change.
The drive from Shillong towards Dawki takes you through beautiful hills, villages and scenic viewpoints. Depending on your route and stops, you may spend several hours on the road.
For pure vegetarians, the practical approach is to plan a proper meal stop rather than assume that every roadside restaurant will have suitable food.
KBR Vegetarian is an option to consider along the Shillong–Dawki corridor, near the Ka Bri War Resort complex.
It is listed as a vegetarian restaurant serving familiar Indian meals and other traveller-friendly food options. Its location can make it useful when you want a planned meal stop along the journey.
What to try: Ask about the day's vegetarian meals, thalis and available snacks.
Best for: Families and travellers driving between Shillong and Dawki who want to plan their food break in advance.
Travel tip: Confirm the restaurant's current operating hours and exact location before leaving Shillong.
Hotel Rajasthan | Pure Vegetarian is a highway-side vegetarian stop in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills region. It is more relevant if your journey takes you through the Jowai and NH 6 corridor rather than directly along the usual Shillong–Dawki route.
The restaurant is positioned as a straightforward option for travellers who want familiar vegetarian food while travelling between towns.
What to try: Ask for freshly prepared vegetarian meals and check which dishes are available when you arrive.
Best for: Travellers whose itinerary includes Jowai or the NH 6 route.
Important: Do not add this stop blindly to a Dawki itinerary. Check the actual route with your driver first, as it may involve a detour.
Dawki is best known for the clear waters of the Umngot River, boating experiences and the surrounding hills. It is a smaller destination than Shillong, so it is sensible to decide where you will eat before reaching the river.
Food Planet Restaurant & Guesthouse is a local dining option on Dawki's main road. It is known for thali-style meals, including vegetarian choices, and also offers guesthouse accommodation.
Unlike the dedicated pure-veg restaurants listed earlier, this establishment is not confirmed to operate an exclusively vegetarian kitchen.
What to try: Ask about the vegetarian thali and confirm how vegetarian food is prepared.
Best for: Travellers looking for a convenient meal in Dawki.
Important: If you strictly avoid kitchens where non-vegetarian food is prepared, call ahead and confirm the kitchen arrangements before visiting.
Dawki - Naphisaroi Restaurant (Thali) is another local option for travellers looking for a simple meal near Dawki village.
Vegetarian meals are mentioned by diners, but the restaurant also serves non-vegetarian food. This makes it an option for vegetarian-friendly dining, not a confirmed pure-vegetarian kitchen.
Travel tip: Clearly communicate your dietary requirements before ordering. Strict vegetarians and Jain travellers should verify the ingredients and cooking arrangements rather than relying on the word “vegetarian” alone.
This is a practical shortlist based on vegetarian positioning and travel convenience, not a formal ranking.
Destination | Restaurant | Best reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|
Shillong | Jiva Veg Restaurant | Central location and varied vegetarian menu |
Shillong | Bistro Pure Veg | Convenient for Police Bazar stays |
Shillong / Upper Shillong | Extra Butter Pure Veg | Dedicated vegetarian dining |
Cherrapunji | Orange Roots | Established pure-veg restaurant with Jain options listed |
Cherrapunji | Green Leaf Pure Veg | Another dedicated vegetarian option |
Shillong–Dawki corridor | KBR Vegetarian | Planned meal stop along the route |
Dawki | Food Planet | Convenient thali option; verify kitchen arrangements |
A little preparation can make a substantial difference to your experience.
Save restaurant locations in advance. Mobile connectivity and travel times can vary, so keep your preferred meal stops accessible offline.
Eat before long sightseeing drives. Plan meals around your itinerary rather than waiting until everyone is hungry.
Confirm pure-veg kitchen arrangements. A restaurant serving vegetarian dishes may also prepare meat or fish.
Communicate Jain requirements clearly. If you avoid onion, garlic, root vegetables or particular ingredients, explain these restrictions separately. A vegetarian menu does not automatically mean Jain food is available.
Check opening hours on the day. Online listings may be outdated, particularly for smaller destinations and roadside establishments.
Keep some snacks with you. Fruit, packaged snacks and other suitable food can be helpful on long drives between sightseeing stops.
If you are travelling to Meghalaya for the first time, a route such as Guwahati → Shillong → Cherrapunji → Dawki → Guwahati can work well, depending on your trip duration and sightseeing priorities.
In Shillong, you will generally have more restaurant choices. In Cherrapunji, consider planning lunch at Orange Roots or another dedicated vegetarian restaurant. Before travelling to Dawki, discuss meal timings with your driver and confirm the availability of suitable food along the route.
For strict vegetarians, the most useful thing is to plan the food stops alongside the sightseeing itinerary. This avoids unnecessary detours and reduces the uncertainty of finding a suitable restaurant at the last minute.
At Take A Break, we believe that a well-planned holiday should account for the small details that make travellers comfortable, including their food preferences. Whether you are travelling as a couple, with family or in a group, communicating your dietary requirements before the trip helps make the experience smoother.
Meghalaya has plenty to offer vegetarian travellers, from dedicated pure-veg restaurants in Shillong to established vegetarian dining options in Cherrapunji. Dawki requires a little more planning, particularly if you need an exclusively vegetarian kitchen or follow a strict Jain diet.
Our recommendation is simple: plan your meals in advance, confirm restaurant details before visiting, and build your food stops into your travel route. That way, you can spend less time worrying about where to eat and more time enjoying Meghalaya's landscapes.
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