Majnu ka Tilla is a Tibetan settlement on the edge of the Yamuna in North Delhi. Tibetan refugees began settling here in the 1960s, and today its narrow lanes are packed with cafés, guesthouses, bookshops and stalls selling prayer flags and woollens. It is one of the best places in Delhi for Tibetan food.
What to eat
- Momos — steamed or fried, with vegetable, chicken or other fillings, served with fiery chilli sauce.
- Thukpa — a noodle soup that is perfect on a winter afternoon.
- Laphing — a cold, spicy mung-bean noodle dish sold at street stalls; one of the area’s signature snacks.
- Shapaley — deep-fried pastries filled with minced meat or vegetables.
- Butter tea — salty and rich; an acquired taste worth trying once.
Beyond the food
Walk to the small monastery near the main square, browse the shops for Tibetan handicrafts and books, and look for the prayer wheels. The settlement is also a base for many Tibetan students and travellers, so the cafés have a relaxed, lived-in feel.
Good to know
The lanes are narrow and busy; keep your bags close. Many places accept UPI, but carry a little cash for street stalls. Ask about spice levels — the chilli sauces are strong.
