One of Tamil Nadu’s most appealing hill stations, Coonoor has an old-school charm. It is home to a historic bakery and other, more modern restaurants that serve global cuisine. Nestled in the Nilgiris, Coonoor’s restaurants are a refreshing change from establishments found in bigger cities. We recommend five places to eat and drink at if you’re visiting Coonoor:
Crown Bakery
Established in 1880 on Mount Road, Crown Bakery is a popular attraction in Coonoor. Even Mahatma Gandhi was known to have visited the bakery in 1934. Crown Bakery is known for its fresh bread, ginger biscuits, marble cakes and nankhatai. The recipes used at the bakery have been passed down through generations and old bell jars filled with biscuits line the shelves to this day.
Location: Mount Road, Kumaran Nagar, Coonoor.
Timings: Daily, 8am-9.15pm.
Cafe Diem
Located on Kotagiri Road, Cafe Diem is known for its vegetarian food. Hand-picked decor and floral-patterned napkins give the place a sophisticated air. There’s also a terrace deck, which is the ideal place to watch the sunset from. Choose from mushroom tarts, onion and cheese tarts, grilled paninis, pumpkin coconut soup, and nolen gur ice cream. Reservations are mandatory.
Location: Big Bandi Sholai, 2A, Inside Camelot Heights, Kotagiri Road, Coonoor.
Timings: Weekdays except for Wednesdays, 11am-6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-8.30pm.
Gun Bar at the Wellington Gymkhana
Over a century old, the Wellington Gymkhana club is situated 3 kilometres from Coonoor and home to a pleasant verandah where members may enjoy some cold beer. It’s also home to a military-themed bar called Gun Bar, which has a big gun and taxidermy animals on the walls, and black leather sofas. Besides drinks, Gun Bar serves continental dishes like souffle and creme brulee.
Location: Coimbatore-Ooty Highway Barracks Post, Niligir's District, Wellington.
Club timings: Daily, 8am-10pm.
Open Kitchen
On Club Road, the Open Kitchen pizzeria is a warm and welcoming place with film posters on the walls. The pizzas are made fresh-to-order in an open kitchen, which allows the aromas of the food to waft out to diners. Choose from a bacon bomb pizza or an olive jalapeño vegetarian pizza, which are made with whole-wheat thin crust and baked well. Burgers are also on the menu.
Location: House no. 27, Club Road, Bedford, Coonoor.
Timings: Daily, 12.15-9.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹900
The Culinarium
Located in Bicketty, The Culinarium can be found between Coonoor and Ooty. The view from the restaurant windows is beautiful. The place specialises in American and Continental food: choose from croissants, mini baguettes or brioche with homemade butter. The chicken and mushroom pot pie is a bestseller, as are the homemade ice creams that come in flavours like chocolate, strawberry and lavender.
Location: 75 Bicketty, Fern Hill.
Timings: Everyday except Wednesdays, 10am-8pm.
Cost for two: ₹1,200