Fat Plate (Manali)

Fat Plate Café sits on the left bank of the River Beas, tucked along the Kullu–Naggar–Manali road in the Shuru area , a short detour from central Manali that immediately feels worth it. The café occupies a brick-and-wood building set on a three-bigha plot of land, ringed by lush green lawns, flowering gardens, and its own working herb and vegetable patch. Dogs and cats are welcome here, provided they're on a leash, making it one of the more relaxed and genuinely pet-welcoming dining spots in Himachal Pradesh.

The Setting

Fat Plate is not your average mountain café. Founded in 2012 by the Gurung family, the property seats 80 covers spread across an indoor lounge, a covered veranda, and two levels of lawn. The gardens are genuinely well-kept , flowering plants line the entrance, and the herb and vegetable garden behind the kitchen is actually used in the kitchen. The mountain backdrop and greenery make this one of those lunch spots where two hours pass without you noticing. For pet parents, the multi-level lawn gives dogs room to settle without feeling cramped, and the general atmosphere is relaxed enough that a well-behaved dog on a leash won't feel out of place.

The Food

The menu at Fat Plate is built around European and North Indian cuisine, with a genuine farm-to-table ethos , not just marketing language. Chef Anubhav Gurung, the family's son, works directly with a local butcher and the property's own gardener to decide what goes on the menu based on what's seasonal and available. Rarrah meat, roast leg of lamb, bacon-wrapped chicken with plum sauce, and mustard chilli trout are among the top-selling dishes. The café bakes its own breads daily, and most herbs and salads are grown on the premises. They also make homemade jams and chutneys that several reviewers specifically mention picking up. The price range is ₹800–1500 for two, which sits on the higher end for the Manali area , but the portion quality and sourcing justify it for most visitors. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and the café serves alcohol.

What to Know Before You Visit

Fat Plate operates from 12 PM to 10 PM and accepts reservations , worth doing during the May–June and September–October peak seasons when the café can fill up. Parking is available on site. The café is located off the main Manali road near Shuru village, so plug in the address or Google Maps CID before you leave , it's easy to overshoot if you're not watching. One practical note for pet parents: the café is described as closed during the off-season, so if you're travelling in winter (November through March), confirm they're operating before making the trip out. Given the mostly outdoor seating, a rainy afternoon could change your plans , the veranda offers some shelter, but it's worth having a backup in mind during the monsoon months.