Cafe Valley Vue (Radisson Hotel)

Up here in Shimla, things move a little slower, except maybe for the tourists. Our cafe is part of the Radisson Hotel on Lower Bharari Road. We are tucked away in the Goodwood Estate area. Being in Bharari means we’re away from the main crush of the Mall Road, which is nice if you want some quiet. The view from the windows is mostly trees and the valley. We get a lot of people staying at the hotel, but others walk up from the town too. It’s a bit of a climb if you’re not used to the hills. The weather changes so fast here; one minute it’s sunny and the next the clouds are coming right into the seating area. We keep the heaters going during the winter months because it gets really cold in this part of Shimla. The staff here mostly grew up in these hills, so we’re used to the environment. We serve tea, coffee, and the usual snacks you’d find in a hotel cafe. It isn’t the most modern-looking place, but it’s comfortable enough for a long sit. Sometimes the monkeys outside get a bit curious about what’s on the tables, so we have to keep the glass doors shut. It’s just a peaceful corner where you can look at the mountains and wait for the fog to clear while you drink your tea. We've been here for years now and the hills never change much.