Jolly Grant isn’t a big city, but it’s got more places to hang out than most people realise. Between the airport, Himalayan Hospital, the medical college crowd and everyone living around Bhaniyawala, a nice little cafe and food scene has grown along the Rishikesh road.
So whether you’ve got a few hours to kill before a flight, you’re a student looking for somewhere new, or you’re a family that needs a proper meal after a long day at the hospital, here’s where to go.
We don’t take money from any of these places, and this isn’t a ranking. Timings below are what the places list publicly, and they do change, so check on Google Maps or call before you head out.
Quick picks
- Cosy cafe for a long chat: Doko Cafe on Thano Road
- Hang out with friends in Bhaniyawala: BITES & MORE… The Lounge Cafe
- Pizza night: Domino’s, La Pino’z or Pizza King, all in Bhaniyawala
- Family dinner: Nirvana on the Highway or Ambertaara near the airport
- Pure veg thali: Yatharth Bhoj near Himalayan Chowk
- Free and outdoors: Lachhiwala and the Thano forest road
Cafes to sit, chat and stay a while
Doko Cafe, Thano Road
Tucked away on the Thano road near Rajeshwari Farm, just a short drive from the airport, Doko is the kind of slow, quiet cafe you go to when you actually want to talk to someone. Good coffee, sandwiches and a bakery counter that people keep going back for, especially the cakes. Service isn’t rushed, which is the whole point. It’s a great stop on the way to or from the airport.
Listed hours: 11 am to 10:30 pm, closed on Tuesdays. Open in Google Maps
BITES & MORE… The Lounge Cafe, Durga Chowk
Right on the Rishikesh road at Durga Chowk in Bhaniyawala, this one has been a favourite with college students for years. The menu covers coffee, Chinese, continental and snacks, so it works whether you want a quick cold coffee or a full meal with friends. It’s one of the busiest cafes in the area for a reason.
Listed hours: 10 am to 10 pm. Open in Google Maps
Hush Coffee N More, Jolly Grant
A pretty, Instagram friendly cafe with board games and books lying around, so it’s a good pick if you’re on your own or waiting out a long gap before a flight. Coffee, shakes and both veg and non veg food.
Listed hours: 11 am to 11 pm. Open in Google Maps
Little Garden Cafe, near Himalayan Chowk
Near the SBI ATM at Himalayan (HIHT) Chowk. As the name says, there’s a small garden with outdoor seating, and it’s easy on the pocket: momos, chowmein, cakes and pastries. Handy if you’re visiting the hospital and want to step out for an hour.
Listed hours: 8 am to 10 pm. Open in Google Maps
Garhwal’s Bakers & Cafe, Jolly Grant
A small, cosy spot near Refuel in Jolly Grant, known for its chai and bakery items, with pastas and snacks on the menu too. Good for a cheap evening out with friends.
Listed hours: 10 am to 10:30 pm. Open in Google Maps
Meeting Point, Rock Side Cafe, Himalayan Hospital Chowk
Hard to miss because of its decor: lights, music and lots of creative touches all over the place. People come for the vibe as much as the momos and chilli paneer. A fun one for birthdays or a group of friends.
Listed hours: 10 am to 10 pm. Open in Google Maps
Pizza and quick bites in Bhaniyawala
Bhaniyawala has quietly become the pizza corner of the area, with three options within a few minutes of each other.
Domino’s Pizza, Bhaniyawala
Yes, there’s a Domino’s here. It’s on the first floor in the Kanharwala part of Bhaniyawala, on the Dehradun to Rishikesh road, close to Jolly Grant Airport. You know what you’re getting: the regular Domino’s menu for dine in, takeaway and delivery. If you order delivery to somewhere inside the hospital campus or a lane off the main road, share a clear landmark and keep your phone handy, because riders can struggle to find addresses here.
Listed hours: 11 am to 11 pm. Open in Google Maps
La Pino’z Pizza, Durga Chowk
At Durga Chowk on the Dehradun to Rishikesh road, above Reliance Smart Point. A comfortable dine in space that’s good for a relaxed dinner with friends, and it stays open the latest of the three, which helps if your flight lands late.
Listed hours: 10 am to midnight. Open in Google Maps
Pizza King, Thano Tiraha
The local option, at Thano Tiraha on Rishikesh Road in Bhaniyawala. A family friendly fast food place with pizzas loaded with cheese, burgers and the usual snacks, usually a little lighter on the wallet than the big chains.
Listed hours: 9 am to 10 pm. Open in Google Maps
Family dinners and proper meals
Nirvana on the Highway
On the Rishikesh road near the airport. Retro looks, lots of seating and North Indian food, so it works for families and big groups. Good stop if you’re picking someone up from a late flight.
Listed hours: 11 am to 11 pm. Open in Google Maps
Ambertaara, near the airport
A different kind of place for this area: open air seating on benches, floor seating for families, an AC hall, and a play area for kids. The tandoori snacks and shakes get a lot of love. A great pick for an evening out with children.
Listed hours: around 10 am to 11 pm. Open in Google Maps
Yatharth Bhoj, near Himalayan Chowk
A pure vegetarian restaurant in a striking wooden building on the airport road. Big thalis, South Indian dishes like dosa, idli and vada, and North Indian food. Very popular with hospital visitors and families because it’s clean, vegetarian and right on the main road. Order a half portion if you’re not very hungry, the thali is big.
Listed hours: 9 am to 10:30 pm. Open in Google Maps
Vrindavan Dhaba, Haridwar highway
On the Dehradun to Haridwar highway near Nunnawala, a few minutes south of Bhaniyawala. A clean, pure veg dhaba with thalis, dal makhani and paneer, and a nice stop if you’re driving towards Haridwar.
Listed hours: 8 am to 11 pm. Open in Google Maps
Free hangouts outdoors
Not every hangout needs a bill at the end.
- Lachhiwala: the forest picnic spot near Doiwala, with sal trees and shallow stream fed pools. Best on weekday mornings before it gets crowded.
- The Thano forest road: an easy, beautiful drive through thick sal forest. Combine it with coffee at Doko Cafe. Go in daylight and drive slowly, as animals do cross.
- Rishikesh evening: only 30 to 45 minutes away. Walk Ram Jhula and catch the Ganga Aarti around sunset.
More ideas are in our guide to things to do near Jolly Grant.
A few local tips
- Most of these places are on or near the main Dehradun to Rishikesh road, between Durga Chowk in Bhaniyawala and Himalayan Chowk in Jolly Grant, so you can easily try two in one evening.
- Weekends get busy, especially the cafes popular with students. Go early evening for a table.
- Delivery inside the hospital campus can be tricky. Meet the rider at the gate or a clear landmark.
- Timings change with the season and during festivals. A quick call saves a wasted trip.
- Own a cafe or restaurant around here that we’ve missed? Tell us using the form below.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Domino’s is in Bhaniyawala (Kanharwala area) on the Dehradun to Rishikesh road, close to Jolly Grant Airport. Its listed hours are 11 am to 11 pm, and it offers dine in, takeaway and delivery.
Popular choices include Doko Cafe on Thano Road, BITES & MORE… The Lounge Cafe at Durga Chowk, Hush Coffee N More, Little Garden Cafe near Himalayan Chowk and Meeting Point Rock Side Cafe.
La Pino’z Pizza at Durga Chowk lists hours until midnight, and Domino’s and Nirvana on the Highway list hours until 11 pm. Check before going, as timings change.
Yes. Yatharth Bhoj near Himalayan Chowk is pure vegetarian, and Vrindavan Dhaba on the Haridwar highway is also pure veg.
Ambertaara near the airport has a kids’ play area and floor seating, and Nirvana on the Highway has plenty of space for groups. For outdoors, Lachhiwala is a popular family picnic spot.
