Cafe 103 (Shimla)

Cafe 103 is India's first ice hockey themed café, perched near Tunnel 103 at Chaura Maidan in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, with a view of the town that reviewers consistently describe as stunning. Dogs and cats are welcome here at no additional charge , no pet entry fee, no cover charge, nothing extra , which makes it a genuinely rare find for pet parents exploring the hills. The café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a menu spanning Chinese, American, Indian, and Central-Italian cuisine, and there is parking available on site.

The Setting: Hockey Paraphernalia and Mountain Views

The name comes from Tunnel 103, a landmark on the old Hindustan-Tibet Road nearby, and the café has leaned fully into its ice hockey identity , the walls are lined with hockey paraphernalia that a visiting group of 16 described as "interesting and quirky" in an October 2025 Tripadvisor review. a room that feels like it belongs somewhere else entirely , part mountain café, part sports memorabilia den. The views out toward Shimla are the other headline act: multiple reviewers, including visitors from the UK and couples on holiday, have specifically called out the vistas as a reason alone to stop here. One reviewer described it as "a stunning view and a unique, homely atmosphere."

The location near Hotel Firhill and Tunnel 103 at Chaura Maidan puts it slightly off the main Mall Road bustle, which tends to mean a calmer, more relaxed visit , useful when you have a dog in tow and need a little space to settle in without a crowd pressing in from all sides.

Food and Service

The menu covers a wide range: Chinese, American, Indian, and Central-Italian dishes are all on offer across breakfast, lunch, and dinner sittings. Value for money is a recurring theme in reviews , a group of 16 found the food "plentiful, excellent and very reasonably priced," and rated value, service, food, and atmosphere all at five stars. A January 2025 reviewer singled out the food as "absolutely delicious, with every dish hitting the mark." The service has been described as warm enough to make you feel right at home, and a September 2026 review specifically praised the hospitality of a staff member from the F&B team by name.

For pet parents, the practical upside is that this is a café you can actually linger in , the food is good enough and the setting engaging enough that you're not rushing through a mediocre pit stop. That matters when you've got a dog who needs time to settle before you're back on the road.

What to Know Before You Visit

Cafe 103 does not charge any additional fee for bringing your dog or cat , entry for pets is completely free, with no extra covers applied. Parking is available at the property, which is confirmed in the café's own listing description. The café is open for all three meals, so you have flexibility on timing regardless of where you are in your Shimla itinerary.

A few things we haven't been able to confirm yet: whether seating is indoors only or includes an outdoor area where dogs would be most comfortable, whether there is a dedicated outdoor space or garden, and whether water bowls are provided on request. worth a quick call ahead to ask about seating arrangements if your dog does better outside. The phone number listed is 098166 97781.

Shimla's weather shifts quickly, particularly outside summer months, so if you're visiting between October and March, pack a layer for your dog on the walk up , Chaura Maidan sits at altitude and the cold arrives fast after sundown. The café is a pet-friendly stop worth marking on any Shimla itinerary for dogs and cats travelling with their people through Himachal Pradesh.